Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

In response to a query about whether young children should read the Old Testament, a concerned parent highlighted the presence of adult themes such as violence and immorality, expressing worry that these elements might instill fear or misconceptions about God in their children.

Addressing this concern, the respondent, a father himself, acknowledged the complexity of raising children within the faith. He emphasized that his perspective is personal and not authoritative, stating, "I do not respond as a parenting or behavioral expert."

The respondent referred to teachings from the Second Vatican Council which assert that both Testaments of the Bible reveal God's truth for salvation. He quoted, “the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation” (§11), suggesting that God seeks to reveal Himself through Scriptures.

He encouraged parents to reflect on how they facilitate their children's encounter with God and advised against imposing personal standards over divine revelation. However, he also noted it is reasonable to shield young minds from complex themes like death and violence found in biblical texts.

To navigate this balance, he offered several suggestions. Firstly, he advised not underestimating children's capacity to understand complex narratives. Citing an anecdote from Bishop Barron's book "To Light a Fire on the Earth," he pointed out that children can grasp intricate details of fictional universes like Star Wars, implying they could similarly engage with biblical stories.

Secondly, he stressed the importance of parents being well-formed in their faith. He referenced Church teachings which state that parents are primary educators and should help interpret Scriptures accurately for their children (CCC §1653).

Lastly, he recommended relying on prayer and prudence. Parents should use discernment to decide when certain themes are appropriate and trust in prayer to guide their efforts. He cited St. Thérèse of Lisieux as an example of a child who knew Scriptures intimately at a young age.

In conclusion, while recognizing parental concerns about exposing children to certain biblical themes, he suggested starting with Scripture—including the Old Testament—as it offers profound insights into God's love story with humanity.

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