Crossway Review: What Does The Bible Say About That?
This month’s review for Crossway is a bit different than previous ones. What Does The Bible Say about That?, by Carolyn 
Larson, is a ‘handbook’ designed for kids ages 8-12. It deals with more than 300 topics familiar (or not so familiar) to young readers, addressing them with scripture and commentary.
How did I like it? To be honest, not very well. The content is biblically sound; as far as I could tell, there was nothing wrong with the book. Perhaps it was some of the topics that just didn’t sit well with me:
- Boys (with a “for girls only” note)
- Dating
- Drinking
- Drug Abuse
- Sex
In all fairness, none of the above topics are addressed inappropriately. But the very fact that they’re included makes me wonder if I would really be comfortable handing a copy of this book to my eight-year-old brother for reading. The answer? Probably not.
I don’t mean to deny the facts. But still, the knowledge that something exists doesn’t make it appropriate for all ages. For myself, I would a thousand times rather discuss these things with my future children instead of giving them a handbook in the name of a fix-all preventative or cure.
In reading What Does The Bible Say About That?, your child won’t be exposed to faulty doctrines or false teachings—on the contrary, the book is quite sound in that respect. But they may finish reading with a broadened knowledge of things perhaps best left alone for the 8- to 12-year-old mind.
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Owen on 13 May 2009 at 8:15 pm #
I agree. It seems like information like that for 8-12 yr olds would end up piquing their curiosity.
Grace on 13 May 2009 at 9:01 pm #
You know, that is exactly my problem with books like that. There’s nothing biblically wrong with the doctrine of it… But the ideas behind it. I mean, when children 8-12 actually seem to need counseling on topics such as you mentioned, doesn’t that show that it’s time for their parents to sit down and have a serious talk with them and with God?
Besides, the Bible commands us to teach our children. And it seems like shirking responsibility to put them in a corner with a book like this and say “Read and learn from this in whatever way you can.. without my help.”
Thank you for articulating this so well!
~Grace
P.S. RYC… Well, I’m so glad you’re making a video blog for Nats. Maybe that will make me feel better about missing out. ;-P Not that I’m sad about not breaking. It’s just… I miss you guys! And I’m one of those kind of people for whom the phrase: ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ applies better than ‘out of sight, out of mind’. *sigh* I miss my dear friends. BUT I will enjoy your video to the utmost!
I don’t know yet for sure if I’m coming Saturday… *crosses fingers* I hope so!!
Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed your random comment! The chocolate store incident was rather amusing. I can’t help feeling that we were jilted.. ;-D
Bean on 14 May 2009 at 3:16 am #
Good Point Beth,
If all anyone ever needed was a hand book. All parents would be there for is to teach them to read. And that would be all they needed for simple and more complex things.
Now, in some ways it could be a good thing that this book is out. Parents that are only able to spend little or no time with their children. (Sent to school, both parents work, etc.) This might be a supposed “good way” to teach these values and facts to their children. Sad? Yes. Could there be or are there other ways to deal with the issues? Yes Probably. The validity of this point of course is questionable. Just a thought.
Again, good point, well presented, and I absolutely agree.
Anna on 15 May 2009 at 11:00 pm #
I totally agree. It may be a good, Christian book, but is it NOT something I would give to an 8-12 year old to read. No 8-12 year old should be thinking about any of those topics! Perhaps a 14+, yes, but 8?! You have to be kidding!
I think that age group, for the book, is silly. Please, you don’t want to be teaching your kids about things like that so young. I’m sure, without the book, many wouldn’t have even known. And I would rather learn from a parent than a book, which would make a kid even more curious and questioning….and then to go ask their friends instead of their parents, and on it goes.
So I agree. Ugh. *cannot believe a book like this is out there for THAT.AGE.GROUP!*
Katie the Anne Fan on 17 May 2009 at 7:54 pm #
OMG! I wouldn’t give that book to my thirteen year old sister! Much less my seven and a half year old sister!
) and this would probably only result in opening their eyes to those little hints the media has sprinkled around. Do we really want an 8-12 coming up and asking their parents about that, or even worse, figuring it out on their own because of this???
Maddie is still oblivious to the last subject. I would hate for any of my sisters, or future children, to learn about it the way I did (my mom means well, but she doesn’t realize how old I am
benjc91 on 18 May 2009 at 2:42 am #
I totally agree. Addressing such sensitive topics like those are totally the job of the parents… not Crossway Publishers.
I mean, if you want a kid to learn by reading, give them a Bible. Parents main roles are to train up their children in the way they should go, which includes face to face talks when they believe the child needs them. Not just finding a book to explain it for them, and making the kid read it.
Don’t get me wrong though, I can see how there could possibly be a need for books (like, say, the parent has explained and talked about these things with the child before, but believes that the child needs additional education), but in my opinion, the Bible could totally be a better, more informative read on such topics.
Great review Beth!
Crossway.blog » What Parents Are Saying About “What Does the Bible Say About That?” on 28 May 2009 at 6:06 pm #
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