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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 516
| Posted 6/28/2001 4:57 PM (GMT -6) |   | Message
TGB
04/16/01 12:13 PM
Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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HI all-
I have four kids (ages 16, 12, 11, and 8). I recently introduced the eldest to Letters from a Sketic, which she really likes. We’ve talked some about determinism, the open view, free will, moral responsibility, etc. I’ve been VERY surprised at her ability to grasp the issues. Anyhow…
This evening at dinner we started talking a bit about this all when my 11-year old, David, began crying. We put on the breaks and asked him what’s up? He blurted out, “How do I even know there’s a God! How do we know any of it’s true!” Whooooah!
I’m writing this to throw out an idea, and a VERY serious one at that. If someone has already published it, then clue me in. If nobody’s published it, then somebody needs to. I’d like to suggest that somebody write a “Philosophy for Preteens.” There’s probably NO market for such a book, but I personally would be VERY grateful to have such a book. All the same questions (most of ‘em at least) that we grown-ups ask can, and ARE, being asked by preteens as well.
By the way, I gave my son four reasons for believing in God:
1. If you found a watch on the street, would you think it assembled itself by chance, or would you think “Somebody made this”? The universe is far more complicated, ordered, and designed. Somebody made it.
2. That same Creator made us “personal” people. We’re “persons.” We relate deeply and personally with other persons. That’s HOW the creator, whoever he is, made us. So now we know 1) there’s a Creator, and 2) this Creator is PERSONAL. He’s a person who thinks, feels, makes choices, and has relationships like we do. He’s not just a “force” like gravity or electricity.
3. Conscience (something we ALL have) tells us there is right and wrong. We might disagree about which things are right and wrong, but we all agree on the IDEA of right and wrong. It’s like a compass inside of us. We call it “conscience.” The Creator is responsible for this too. He’s a MORAL person.
4. Lastly, he can be experienced. Through the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, this personal, moral, creator-God can be experienced, touched, and felt. What we can figure out about him by looking outside ourselves (to Creation) and inside ourselves (to Conscience) can be confirmed to us through experience by trusting in Jesus.
I’d like to know if my explanations to my son were valid.
Tom
Posted Originally From: Open Theism Information Site
writerdad
04/18/01 1:01 AM
RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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Tom: as the father of three, 8, 6, 2, (hence the ultracool title), I just wanted to drop you a line and say I liked how you approached it with your son. I also work in a Christian bookstore and have yet to find that book (always looking though). From my experiences so far, though, I have found that being open and honest helps. My daughter asks many questions I have had to search the answers for (and just say I don't know to) and she seems to like that. I think she likes making dad work, but I also think she sees it more as a mystery to be solved. We've talked about what is heaven like, why God can't be seen, and what happen right when you die (my niece died last year). I have found, for her, its very practical. She wants to know about things that effect her now more. "It's hard for me to talk to God when I can't see him," kind of stuff.
One thing that has helped. My wife and I have tried to be open as possible in as many things as possible and that has given our children freedom to ask. I tell them as much as possible that God is not afraid of our questions. Anyway, thanks for sharing. I, too, hope for such a book. Harold
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
trosie
04/18/01 5:12 AM
RE: RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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Writerdad and Tom:
I want to ditto what you said about needing a preteen philosophical book to be made available. I have three children too and I have found that even my youngest can come up with the most amazing questions! A pet bunny we had died when my son was four years old and ever since that incident he often will ask questions about death, heaven,... Sometimes the questions my kids ask can be quite challenging to answer and that's where a book such as this would be very helpful. I agree that open and honest communication with our children is important in developing their spiritual growth!
Tom, I want to add that I too like how you handled the situation with your son and the response you gave him. Have you ever thought about writing such a book?
The faith of a child is an awesome thing to nurture
trosie
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
Proverbs23_23
04/20/01 8:11 PM
RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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I just bought my son a book titled "801 Questions Kids ask about God"
put out by Focus on the Family....He loves it!! I don't know if it satisfies the philosophy aspect, but it does touch on many subjects and acts nicely as a springboard into discussion and prayer.
blessings,
proverbs
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
Triskal
04/22/01 11:18 PM
RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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There's a great book out by Josh Mcdowell called "Don't check your brains at the door". It helps kids to understand what they believe, and how to defend it. Great book for helping a kid understand apologetics. The book is directed towards Junior and Senior High students but is simple enough to be understood by preteens also.
In His Grip,
Matt
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
GregBoyd
04/23/01 3:02 PM
RE: RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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Sometimes our kids teach US theology!
When my daughter was in first grade, a rumor circulated throughout her school that this guy who kidnapped, raped and murdered a little girl 15 years previous was being released from prison and was going to live in our area. She was petrified. (The release turned out to be true -- but the location n ot).
That night she couldn't get to sleep (nor could her little sister that she had gotten all worked up). We prayed for protection, reassured them the doors were locked etc... Still, they were both scared. I then taught both her and her sister a little song I had heard somewhere:
"We serve a great big wonderful God; we serve a great big wonderful God; he's always watching over us, loving and protecting us, he's a great big wonderful God."
The song seemed to reassure them that "everything was going to be okay" and that they had nothing to fear. God was going to protect them from the bad man.
My younger daughter went right to sleep, singing the little tune. My older daughter was not so easily convinced. At first she sang the song happily and confidently. But, as I listened from my upstairs chair -- with a theology book in my lap! -- I noticed her confidence gradually trail off. The increasingly tentative song finally came to a stop.
Within a few moments my daughter pranced upstairs and, with the most innocent voice imaginable (thing of Betty Lou in the Grinch cartoon!), asked me:
"Daddy, I have a question. That girl who the bad man killed.... didn't she know our song?"
For all I know -- she was singing it the moment the sicko kidnapped her. I wasn't going to tell my little daughter THAT.
So much for security blanket formulas!
I think my daughter was initiated into the real world of the war zone that night.
Doc
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
trosie
04/23/01 9:49 PM
RE: RE: RE: Preteen Primer on Philosophical Theology
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A question for the Doc:
You said: "I wasn't going to tell my little daughter THAT."
I am just curious -- what did you tell your daughter in response to her question? How deep should a parent go with their children?
We are in a war zone indeed BUT we have the victory in Christ!
trosie
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
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