Children in Early Christian Narratives

Sharon Betsworth examines the narratives, parables, and teachings of and about children in the gospels and the literature of Early Christianity.

Betsworth begins with a discussion of the social-historical context of children and childhood in the first century before discussing the role of children in all four gospels. She shows that for Mark and Matthew, children are integral to understanding each evangelist's perspective on the reign of God and on Jesus' identity in each Gospel. In the Gospel of Luke the childhood of Jesus is shown to be crucial to the broader themes of the Gospel. In the Gospel of John, Betsworth examines the metaphorical use of the word 'children' looking at 'children of light' and of 'darkness'. She then explores stories of Jesus' childhood in the non-canonical Infancy Gospels of James and Thomas, as well as the childhood of his mother, Mary in the latter shedding light upon views of children, discipleship, and the person of Jesus in early christianity and in the ancient world more generally.

“Readers of this text will now notice the children in the Gospels. They walk away more informed of their history and, I believe, more convinced of the significant role they play in the narratives (p. 185). … Children in Early Christian Narratives deserves a read by anyone seeking to discover the richness of the Gospels.” -Amy Peeler, Wheaton College, USA, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

"Betsworth’s readings are sensitive and astute, illuminating details that a reader might otherwise pass over … Her close reading of passages in the gospels consistently surprises and enlightens.” -Marginalia Review of Books