The long history of children in theology is told via analysis of some twenty-five theologians, grouped according to six historical periods. Each account examines what a particular theologian thought about children and the experience it was based upon. Four themes that have shaped our attitudes about children in the church emerge from this history: ambivalence, ambiguity, indifference, and grace. The result of this study is to promote a healthier church, which will respect and utilize the distinctive gifts of children. In so doing, theologians will be better able to help clear the way for grace in the postmodern church. “Berryman’s choice of voice in this work manifests his familiarity with the sources through the ages but avoids academic turgidity and jargon. Readers will be introduced to figures not familiar to them or, if familiar, unexpectedly dealing with the ‘child’ theme. This is an excellent work. If anything Berryman underplays the scandalous neglect of the theme by most theologians. There are many gems here.” ―Martin E. Marty, Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago Divinity School “Jerome Berryman’s Children and the Theologians is an amazingly wonderful book. Clearly, this is his challenge to the faith community to take seriously the theology of childhood. He lays out the agenda and tasks for such a theology in a most compelling way.” ―Ward B. Ewing, Dean and President, The General Theological Seminary, New York City “The real benefit of this sweeping tour of Christian history is Jerome Berryman’s own spontaneous creativity. Over against inherited doctrines of children, often unnoticed but leaving us ambivalent, ambiguous, and indifferent toward children, he declares an alternative: Children as a means of grace. Sacraments – to be more concrete. As powerful to affect salvation as bread and wine. Welcome them, he says, and Christ will enter in.” ―Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling, Vanderbilt Divinity School, and author of Let the Children Come: Reimaging Childhood from a Christian Perspective "This long-awaited and much-anticipated book is the fruit of a lifetime of study. Berryman, a preeminent theologian of childhood, surveys multiple Christian interpretations of children, notes their wisdom and shortcomings, and offers a constructive reinterpretation of children as sacramental means of grace. A welcome book, as it invites children as full participants in the church's sacramental life and as it invites adults to be changed by the children in their midst!" ―David H. Jensen, Professor of Constructive Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary "Children, originally sinful, originally saint like, many religious thinkers have provided contradicting insight into our youngest peoples. Children and the Theologians: Clearing the Way for Grace discusses how throughout history, religious thoughts on children have changed radically through the ages, as Jerome W. Berryman breaks each discussion down into periods, dating form the time of Christ to the modern opinion. Children and the Theologians is a fascinating and insightful read that belongs in any Christian studies or historical philosophy collection." ― The Midwest Book Review The late Jerome W. Berryman was the founder of Godly Play and had years of experience working with children ages 2–18. Priest, writer, lecturer, and workshop leader, Berryman was, for years, Senior Fellow of the Center for the Theology of Childhood. He was the author of The Complete Guide to Godly Play, Teaching Godly Play, Children and the Theologians, The Spiritual Guidance of Children, and Stories of God at Home.   Children and the Theologians Clearing the Way for Grace By JEROME W. BERRYMAN Morehouse Publishing Copyright © 2009 Jerome W. Berryman All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8192-2347-0 Contents Chapter One FROM PRESENCE TO TEXTS: Children in the Jesus Traditions This painting challenges the mostly unconscious influence of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper , which in terms of this book presents a low or at least indifferent view of children. It was painted by Bohdan Piasecki, a leading contemporary artist in Poland, who lives near Warsaw. Leonardo's great mural was painted on the dry plaster of the refectory wall of the Dominican monastery (or convent) at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan about 1495–1498. The celibate men (or women) reflected on the men of Leonardo's Last Supper as they ate their meals. This masterpiece is full of dramatic emotion and action, remarkable characterization, and a precise, single-point perspective that focuses on Christ. Only about 20 percent of the original painted surface survives, so it "hovers like a ghost on the wall" (Nicholl 2004, 302). Still, the absence of children and families should not go unquestioned. Piasecki's painting also has Christ at the center but, as with other Jewish teachers and inte