Afterthoughts

The thing that's so strongly implied, that I failed to draw attention to, is the wonderful relational element of Joselito's faith. That's pretty evangelical, don't you think? The relational element of "spirituality" is a theme that runs through most of the stories about children in these studies. For me that element is the difference between faith and religion.

Let me suggest that the relational elements of a child's faith, as revealed through these studies challenge our evangelical notions about when it's appropriate for a child to be baptized or "saved" or make a "commitment to Christ" or join the church. It re-enforces the Hebrew practice of including their children with them as those who are part of the covenant people of God knowing there awaits a non-negotiable coming of age/age of accountability for each child. Not sure if that's in scripture so much as part of Jewish culture today. I think the Orthodox use a similar model. This doesn't negate our making decisions, our being disciples, our chosing to follow. It doesn't negate God filling us and baptizing us in His Spirit, part of the New Testament model.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, God is God but people of different ages and in different cultures express themselves and their relationships differently.

When you think of worship, when you think of all ages, men, women, social stations, nations, coming together the way it's described in Revelation, imagine. Imagine all those differences woven together into one amazing Love song.