What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mystery of the Child (Religion, Marriage, and Family
Much of today's writing on children treats the child of any age as a problem or a set of problems to be solved, effectively reducing the child to a complex of biological and chemical factors, explainable in scientific terms, or regarding children as objects of adult control. In contrast, Martin Marty here presents the child as a mystery who invokes wonder and elicits creative responses that affect the care provided him or her.
Drawing on literature as new as contemporary poetry and as old as the Bible, The Mystery of the Child encourages the thoughtful enjoyment of children instead of the imposition of adult will and control. Indeed, Marty treats the impulse to control as a problem and highlights qualities associated with children -- responsiveness, receptivity, openness to wonder -- that can become sources of renewal for adults.
The Mystery of the Child represents a new tack for Martin Marty -- universally respected as a historian, theologian, and interpreter of religion and culture -- but displays the same incisive, erudite quality marking the fifty-plus books and thousands of articles that he has previously written. Marty's broad, thoughtful perspective will inspire readers to think afresh about what it means to be a child -- and to be a caregiver.
This book is sure to claim a wide readership -- parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, theologians, historians -- engaging anyone wanting to explore more fully the profound realm of the child.
Drawing on literature as new as contemporary poetry and as old as the Bible, The Mystery of the Child encourages the thoughtful enjoyment of children instead of the imposition of adult will and control. Indeed, Marty treats the impulse to control as a problem and highlights qualities associated with children -- responsiveness, receptivity, openness to wonder -- that can become sources of renewal for adults.
The Mystery of the Child represents a new tack for Martin Marty -- universally respected as a historian, theologian, and interpreter of religion and culture -- but displays the same incisive, erudite quality marking the fifty-plus books and thousands of articles that he has previously written. Marty's broad, thoughtful perspective will inspire readers to think afresh about what it means to be a child -- and to be a caregiver.
This book is sure to claim a wide readership -- parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, theologians, historians -- engaging anyone wanting to explore more fully the profound realm of the child.
- GenresTheology
Hardcover
First published April 1, 2007
About the author
Martin E. Marty
244 books35 followersMartin E. Marty was an American religious scholar and historian known for his extensive work on religion in the United States. A Lutheran pastor before transitioning into academia, he became a leading voice in religious studies, particularly in the areas of American Protestantism, fundamentalism, and public religion. He was a longtime professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he mentored numerous doctoral students and held the prestigious Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professorship.
Marty wrote or edited a book for nearly every year of his academic career, producing influential works such as Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America, which won the National Book Award, and the five-volume Fundamentalism Project, co-edited with R. Scott Appleby. He was a prolific columnist for The Christian Century and wrote extensively on religion's role in American public life.
A recipient of numerous honors, including the National Humanities Medal and over 80 honorary doctorates, Marty also served as president of several academic societies and participated in U.S. presidential commissions. The Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago was named in his honor.
Marty wrote or edited a book for nearly every year of his academic career, producing influential works such as Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America, which won the National Book Award, and the five-volume Fundamentalism Project, co-edited with R. Scott Appleby. He was a prolific columnist for The Christian Century and wrote extensively on religion's role in American public life.
A recipient of numerous honors, including the National Humanities Medal and over 80 honorary doctorates, Marty also served as president of several academic societies and participated in U.S. presidential commissions. The Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago was named in his honor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 12, 2008
***Warning: This is a wise book - It is not a how-to book - It is also not a book of psychology, or sociology, or educational theory. It is only a seasoned reflection of a grandfather. You have been warned*******
Marty has been the premier Lutheran historian in the U.S. for decades. Now that he's emeritus, he can about whatever he wants. Hence this intelligent, unscientific, and extraordinarily helpful book on the Christian approach to parenthood. Avoid control, he advises, stop worrying about his future or what the books tell you is the perfect recipe for a 'good child.' Instead sit back and wonder. Let the child unveil himself, and then let the child expose the playful, trusting, awe-ful person in you. Learn from children how to wonder. (Part of me is sad that the modern academic rat race penalizes those of us with children - so much so, that Marty's welcome combination of theological reflection and grandfatherly joy reads to me like something from an age that is no more.)
Marty has been the premier Lutheran historian in the U.S. for decades. Now that he's emeritus, he can about whatever he wants. Hence this intelligent, unscientific, and extraordinarily helpful book on the Christian approach to parenthood. Avoid control, he advises, stop worrying about his future or what the books tell you is the perfect recipe for a 'good child.' Instead sit back and wonder. Let the child unveil himself, and then let the child expose the playful, trusting, awe-ful person in you. Learn from children how to wonder. (Part of me is sad that the modern academic rat race penalizes those of us with children - so much so, that Marty's welcome combination of theological reflection and grandfatherly joy reads to me like something from an age that is no more.)
August 27, 2015
Grounded in Christian theology, this is an interesting examination of what it would mean to take a child on his/her own terms rather than trying to control or discipline it. Lots of great ideas about becoming human, connecting and creativity/play. Not so much a parenting or educational approach as philosophical and spiritual. Marty draws on a wide range of writing to create his thesis.
January 27, 2023
When I first posted a photo on social media of myself reading Martin Marty’s The Mystery of the Child, the response was predictable: “Let me know when you figure it out!” But the whole premise of Marty’s book is something entirely different. Mystery isn’t something to be solved, it’s something to celebrate. Marty’s central premise is that, all too often, adults see children as a problem to be solved rather than a mystery to explore and celebrate. The result is that adults attempt to exert control over children, making child-rearing a fight rather than a collaboration that stifles children’s independence, artistry, and creativity.
Marty’s premise is couched in prose that is as mystical as it is academic. He can be difficult to follow at times and a good portion of his book is spent in dialogue with other works. While one doesn’t necessarily need to have read those works to follow Marty’s line of thinking, it certainly would be a benefit. From a layman’s perspective, I also think the book could have benefited from tighter editing. It may simply be the style the series is going for, but I did feel that some sections of the book felt not quite integral to Marty’s argument or a retread of things already established. However, exhaustiveness to the point of exhaustion is sometimes the point of academia.
My biggest takeaways from The Mystery of the Child are the value of play and the necessity of perceiving children as people made in the image of God—not objects to control. Either of these are gtoundbreaking in their own right. When you consider our current educational models, ones based on sitting in desks and conforming to curriculum, The Mystery of the Child offers a radically different view of childhood development. Marty’s premise demands sincere and deep consideration. While focusing on control may make the problem of parenting (or teaching or coaching, etc etc.) easier, it may not actually develop children to their healthiest and fullest potential.
I do wish that there had been more practicalities in the book, discussing what understanding the child as mystery leads to practically, at what point does the need for discipline require control, how can we change the narrative of control in our teaching systems, and so forth. Regardless, just in terms of its radically reforming orientation, The Mystery of the Child stands apart as a book that honors the imago Dei in children and sees them as who they really are. As Marty concludes:
“In the presence of adults who would like to control her, one asks: Explain the mysterious child? No, let her dance.” - p. 69
Marty’s premise is couched in prose that is as mystical as it is academic. He can be difficult to follow at times and a good portion of his book is spent in dialogue with other works. While one doesn’t necessarily need to have read those works to follow Marty’s line of thinking, it certainly would be a benefit. From a layman’s perspective, I also think the book could have benefited from tighter editing. It may simply be the style the series is going for, but I did feel that some sections of the book felt not quite integral to Marty’s argument or a retread of things already established. However, exhaustiveness to the point of exhaustion is sometimes the point of academia.
My biggest takeaways from The Mystery of the Child are the value of play and the necessity of perceiving children as people made in the image of God—not objects to control. Either of these are gtoundbreaking in their own right. When you consider our current educational models, ones based on sitting in desks and conforming to curriculum, The Mystery of the Child offers a radically different view of childhood development. Marty’s premise demands sincere and deep consideration. While focusing on control may make the problem of parenting (or teaching or coaching, etc etc.) easier, it may not actually develop children to their healthiest and fullest potential.
I do wish that there had been more practicalities in the book, discussing what understanding the child as mystery leads to practically, at what point does the need for discipline require control, how can we change the narrative of control in our teaching systems, and so forth. Regardless, just in terms of its radically reforming orientation, The Mystery of the Child stands apart as a book that honors the imago Dei in children and sees them as who they really are. As Marty concludes:
“In the presence of adults who would like to control her, one asks: Explain the mysterious child? No, let her dance.” - p. 69
May 20, 2009
Read much of this one. Was challenging because the language can be very laden with religious ideas that I do not necessarily share, and the subject matter is not easily described.
February 9, 2012
Excellent thesis. Execution and defense thereof a bit wobbly...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews