%0 Journal Article
%T Theology of Childhood: An Essential Element of Christian Anthropology
%A James Gerard McEvoy
%J Irish Theological Quarterly
%@ 1752-4989
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0021140019829322
%X This article argues that a consideration of children and childhood should be an essential element of theological anthropology. The argument is situated against the background of recent sociology of childhood, which emphasizes children¡¯s agency; the author offers an interpretative view of this agency. In that context, Rahner¡¯s approach to childhood in the prescient article ¡®Ideas for a Theology of Childhood¡¯ is examined. Finally, the author proposes a modest development of Rahner¡¯s approach by focusing on two fundamental themes of theological anthropology: children as created, and their lives as graced. A more explicit theology of childhood is indispensable for contemporary church life, especially in light of both the clergy sexual abuse crisis, and the Catholic Church¡¯s strong commitment to Catholic schooling
%K Charles Taylor
%K childhood studies
%K Karl Rahner
%K sociology of childhood
%K theology of childhood
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0021140019829322