Barn og familie i Bibelens verden. Et blikk på nye fagbøker

Abstract

During the last two decades, there has been a considerable growth of interest in the study of family and children in the Bible and its world. This article first surveys briefly some of the most important trends and contributions to the topic. It then offers a thorough presentation and assessment of three representative and very recent monographs (all 2003), one by A. Michel related to children in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, and two, by P. Balia and T.J. Burke, on children and family in the New Testament. Finally, the article discusses and compares their methodology and main viewpoints, and indicates avenues for further research. Throughout, the article aims at showing the relevance and importance of the study of family, and of children in particular, in the Bible.