A Theology of Children

Dear Diary,

First, theology translates to English from Greek word theologia. Theo for God and logia for word/discourse. Thus, theology refers to study/reasoning concerning the Divine/Deity; theology can also be defined as the study of the relation of a thing or person to the divine, God. Secondly, as you think about theology of children, who is a child? Certainly, a child is a living person made in the image of God. I am of the opinion that a child has the potential to respond to God, but, what is the proper age for a declaration of Faith? Many people think/believe it is practically impossible for children under 12yrs of age to have reached the mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual maturity to experience genuine repentance/salvation.  

Here's a testimony from Drumvale evangelistic activity. On Sunday we had a few minutes to do one-on-one witnessing before the Open Air activity. I happened to catch up with some of my colleagues witnessing to 3 kindergarten boys. I must commend her for considering them as prospects for the evangelistic activity. She was really easy with the kids exploring their understanding of God, sin, and salvation and I loved their innocent responses (@Milanya, and Izzo- @Tony Kitheka’s son, inspired my write-up). My friend asked the kids if they know what repentance (kutubu) is, I observed that they were blank about the adult terminology. Now that brought me to ask myself, how well are children prepared to understand the language of sin, salvation and other theological concepts for them to make responsible decision and who is responsible for their preparation? One of the boys walked away but the other 2 boys got saved. This made me ask, is it possible for boys and girls below 6years of age to be saved? Fast forward, shortly after the witnessing session we had our Open-Air evangelistic activity. I was the one preaching and when I made an altar call actually one of my 13yr-old Sunday Schooler, responded. She kept her hand up but somehow I ignored her, so I called the host pastor to come and make a closing prayer. Well, he saw the hand of the 13yr old girl and led her in the repentance prayer (it reminds me about my own experience. In 1996, I went for a mission at Komothai Girls with the then Yaddah Team. After Rev. G preached, he made an altar call; you can imagine I was the first to raise my hand, hehee). Now, yesterday I met her dad in church. This is what he told me, "My daughter told me that she got saved at Drumvale and now she wants to be baptized." I was awed considering I ignored her when she raised her hand. The dad told me on the wake of the New Year she and her brothers got saved but he observed that the girl was just doing it because of her older brothers. Now he feels that Sunday was transforming encounter for her (may it be so in Jesus's name) and she seems to have a better understanding.

My weekend experience led me mooch about in deep contemplation. Here are some few questions in regards to the theology of children:

1. Should children below 6yrs of age be considered as prospects for evangelistic activity?
2. Is it possible for a 4yr, 5yr or 6yr-old child to be saved/make a simple trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
3. When is a child intellectually capable of making a responsible decision to become a Christian?
4. How well are children prepared to hear and understand the language of sin and salvation and other theological terminologies and concepts for them to make decision?
5. Can children below 12yrs of age be carefully instructed and so know what they are doing and the implication of their decision?
6. What’s the place of children in relation to Christ and His church?

In the next few days, especially now that our VBS is on next week, I will do some write-ups concerning #Children_Theology to #Build_Kingdom_Kids. Please stay with me on this.

Yours Faithful Scribbler,

NzakuNashipae