True stories with unfathomable depth, rich cultural variations, and extensive contexts will develop creativity in young children. By William Van Zyl. Published in April 2023.

The Extravagant Podcast

Read the article as a blog post while listening: https://fivehousepublishing.com/2023/04/10/true-stories-with-unfathomable-depth-rich-cultural-variations-and-extensive-contexts-will-develop-creativity-in-young-children/

See the stunning short video clips of the movies The Shawshank Redemption, and Esacpe from Alcatraz - as an introduction to this article - in the blog post.

Have you ever considered Bible Stories as too violent for young children?

Have you been told Bible Stories when you were young? What are your experiences regarding stories? Have you been told different stories? What were those stories? How did it impact your life, reflecting back as an adult?

I will share my experiences.

Well, I must admit that I have been exposed to all the Bible Stories since I can remember as a young child. My experiences are all positive. In fact, those stories have impacted me in a very special and optimistic way: I don’t fear – I have faith in God. I have heard, and I have experienced His comforting words; I understand His character through listening to those richly layered stories. I understand that ‘The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.’ I trust in Him.

I have been researching the topic: ‘Bible Stories are too violent for young children.’ After reading many articles and posts, I have listed the impacts listed and also comments by some other authors for you. Here they are.

Bible Stories have the ability to impact children of all ages – including adults – in a significant way:

1. It develops the Fear of God in children (e.g. children that dishonour their parents are stoned to death)
2. It highlights the difference between a Theocracy and a Democracy (e.g. God says [His Theocracy], ‘this is the deal, you don’t get to vote’).
3. It demonstrates the contrast between God’s Wrath and His Unfailing love (e.g., sending His Son Jesus to Earth to die for our sins). His wrath was released on His Son – for the sins of the world – to provide complete propitiation [appeasement] for our sins and our healing; Jesus’ unfailing love for people giving up His life for his friends – all of us).
4. It emphasises the stark Dichotomies in the Bible: Black and White, Right and Wrong, Light and Darkness, Building and Destroying, Blessing and Cursing. For example, Gehazi and Elijah: A servant of the prophet Elisha, Gehazi enjoyed a position of power but was ultimately corrupt, misusing his authority to cheat Naaman the Syrian, a general afflicted with leprosy. As punishment, Elisha cursed Gehazi, transferring Naaman’s leprosy to him and his descendants forever.
5. It explains and demonstrates the difference between The Old Covenant and the New Covenant (Old Testament versus New Testament). E. g. The brutal events in the stories of the Old Testament versus the more humane government of God (grace and mercy of God) in the New Testament and beyond.
6. It explains God’s Blessings and Cursings (e.g. King Saul chooses to disobey God – Saul did not utterly destroy a city which God commanded him to do. A cursing followed – God’s presence and annointing departed from him)).
7. It expounds on the Consequences of Man’s Choices and Actions (e.g. choice to serve other gods – Jehovah is a jealous God – it has severe consequences).
8. It shows how God issues warnings (e.g. destroying Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone).
9. It shows His Kindness and His care (e.g. Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding).
10. God has supernatural powers which He utilises from time to time
11. God Responds to Faith (e.g. David placed his faith in God and consequently defeated Goliath).
12. It develops a child’s moral compass. It reinforces crucial aspects of How His Kingdom works, story upon story. For example, ‘Thou shalt not Steal.’)
13. It underlines the unchangeable laws, statutes, and precepts of God’s Kingdom (ancient landmarks). For example, the Ten Commandments).
14. It develops creativity and innovation in a child, providing an immense range of contexts and cultures (e.g. the different contexts and cultures throughout the history of the Bible)
15. It teaches about discipline, including obedience and submission (e.g. Daniel praying to Jehovah 3 times a day).
16. It teaches how to pay honour and respect to people and things (e.g. Honouring parents and God’s Laws)
17. It teaches what commitment and a covenant are (e.g. truthful marriage and making a choice to serve God)
18. It is culturally responsive. I include an excerpt from the article by Mvududu (2009, p.7). ‘Culturally Responsive Teaching: The Bible Tells Me So.’

“To reiterate, as Christians, we are required to be stewards of the gospel. This requires cultural competence. We cannot communicate the gospel to others if we do not understand what their culture is about (Coleman, 1998). Without understanding the signs and images of a particular culture, we can’t communicate what we consider significant. Altering the worship customs of any group is not consistent with multicultural sensitivity. Similarly, using a one size fits all approach to teaching does not effectively meet the needs of our students. Each group brings unique contributions to the Lord’s Table, and we can learn from each other. Looking at those different from us through uninformed assumptions is like looking at an image through a broken mirror. The reflection is distorted even though the image itself is valid. As Breckenridge & Breckenridge (1997) put it, “to cross into other cultures is the expected norm for God’s people, not the exception” (p.77). By preserving rather than covering up or ignoring diversity, we are being more faithful to the Bible and the complexities of life (Rhoads, 1996). Diversity should be constructive rather than the oppression of those with whom we don’t agree. It should not lead to an attitude of superiority and intolerance (Mvududu, 2009, p.7).”

For your information, I’ve also listed important things to remember when telling Bible Stories. Read more in the blog post. https://fivehousepublishing.com/2023/04/10/true-stories-with-unfathomable-depth-rich-cultural-variations-and-extensive-contexts-will-develop-creativity-in-young-children/

More about the author: https://williamvanzyl.com/Blog-Posts.php