Bible for children

A Children's Bible contains a selection of biblical texts that are written in a simplified compared to the original language and usually complemented by illustrations.

History of Children's Bible

Already in the Middle Ages, the opinion prevailed that the Bible in its entirety was not suitable for youth. One of the first Children's Bibles is by J. Opitz to 1570th In the years following biblical texts for children were more frequently edited their age. In the 16th to 18th centuries were in the processing of Bible texts, especially theological and pedagogical aspects in the foreground, so that the author allowed a lot of freedom in language and in the selection of texts. This changed in the 19th century. They put more emphasis on strictly conforming to the original texts of the Bible, because now the view: the divine work has revealed Himself in a certain words, so should the biblical story told through the Bible passage ( Prussian regulative, 1854) was represented. Thus, selected stories were supplemented by didactic sections. Examples include the school Bibles by G. Thudichum (1870 ) and R. Hoffmann ( 1887). A role model for many children Bibles published below was the work of " Zweymahl fifty -two exquisite Biblical histories " (1714 ) by Johann Hübner, which became widespread especially in Protestant Germany. For Huebner, the Bible came rather like a history book and accordingly he chose sections where a lot happened and they were designed, above all, realistic.

Dissemination

From the Children's Bible with the name of God speaks to his children were now spread since 1979, 50 million copies in 172 languages ​​in 140 countries.

Children's Bible as a separate genus

Criteria, according to which can be different and characterize children's Bibles are:

  • The selection can be minimalist and limited to a few core texts and central biblical stories or try to play the diversity of the biblical books;
  • The selected level of language may in certain age groups are based ( preschool or elementary school - age); the Children's Bible can also be designed as a book for reading aloud or for self reading;
  • The texts in children's Bibles can either closely based on the Biblical source or integrated into a free retelling (eg Jörg zinc or Winfried Pioch ).
  • The pictures may dominate, so that almost from a picture book with biblical texts may be spoken, or they fade into the background and act only as an illustration or loosening.

Are partly significant conceptual differences between the various children's Bibles. An objective quality assessment is difficult because of different educational as well as theological viewpoints. Therefore, it is to speak scientifically proper of estimates instead of assessments.

In German-speaking dive specially designed for children Bible editions in any numbers first into the Age of Enlightenment and Pietism. The genus has over time - influenced by the changing educational and theological views - developed and branched. Today there are several dozen children Bibles (about 220 current since 1955! ) At the same time on the market, which makes the overview and the choice not only for laymen difficult.

For over a decade, a group of religious educators employed in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Switzerland with the study of the genus Children's Bible. In their work are pointed out in the literature. In addition, among other things, the Borromeo club or the German Bible Society try through recommendations and comparisons of parents and ( religion ) to enter selection criteria for children Bibles at hand educational professionals. However, the parents, the decision It is sometimes already taken, rather than to make themselves competent for a good assessment.

Not considered here but generically related to children's Bibles are designed primarily as a teaching school Bibles and Bible comic books, Bibles in youth language (such as the Volxbibel ) and children's books on individual biblical stories and religious themes. Also, are not considered to audiobooks Children's Bibles, multimedia or digital children's Bibles and created by children Children's Bibles (eg Belmeroder children Bible, Children's Bible Seißener or Wandsbecker Children's Bible ).

In the Custom Paper segment are individual children's Bibles, also available as a personalized Taufbibeln with prayers, Taufsprüchen and photos for baptism, on the market in a modification.

Children's Bibles in selection

Important Children's Bibles more recent

On the Children's Bibles listed here, reference is made repeatedly in the secondary literature, and they are still generally available. In the name of the author shall first be named for the text makers, separated by a slash followed by the illustrators. As recognized Children's Bibles are relatively frequently reprinted, is no disclosure of edition and year of publication.

  • Winner seal [ Ill.]: children's Bible. Catholic Biblical Association, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-460-28021-2.
  • Werner Laubi / Annegert Fuchshuber: Children's Bible. Kaufmann, Lahr. ISBN 3-7806-2409-5.
  • Anneliese Pokrandt / Reinhard Herrmann: elementary Bible. Kaufmann, Lahr. ISBN 3-7806-2439-7.
  • Regine Schindler / Stepán Zavrel: go with God. The Bible for children and adults Retold. bohem press, Zurich. ISBN 3-85581-274-8.
  • Anne de Vries: The Children's Bible. Train, Neukirchen. ISBN 3-7615-4991-1.
  • Irmgard Weth / Kees de Kort: Neukirchener children's Bible. Kalenderverlag of Education Association, Neukirchen. ISBN 3-920524-52-7.

More titles

Some of the publications mentioned here are still too young to find the recording in the " canon", others are in the strict sense no children Bibles.

  • Rosemarie Hoffmann, Gottfried Herrmann / Paula Jordan: Children's Bible - God keeps his word. Concordia Publishing House, Zwickau. ISBN 3-910153 -50 X
  • IBS - Germany eV (ed. ): The coolest Kibi ( Read online )
  • Karin Jeromin / Rüdiger Pfeffer: Come freundich with me. The Bible for Children says. German Bible Society, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-438-04010-7
  • Tanja Jeschke / Marijke ten Cate: The Bible for children, German Bible Society, Stuttgart. ISBN 978-3-438-04060-2
  • Diana dished, Kerstin Schiffner / Juliana Heidenreich: Gütersloher Tell Bible. Gütersloher publishing house. ISBN 3-579-05466- X
  • Michael Landgraf: Children Reading Bible, Cambridge University Press, Göttingen, ISBN 978-3-525-58017-2
  • Vreni Merz: Big Bible for little people, Kösel - Verlag, Munich, ISBN 978-3-466-36844-0
  • Martina Steinkühler: Like fire and wind. The Old Testament tells children, Cambridge University Press, Göttingen. ISBN 3-525-61586-8
  • Martina Steinkühler: How bread and wine. The New Testament tells children, Cambridge University Press, Göttingen. ISBN 3-525-61587-6
  • Irmgard Weth / Kees de Kort: Neukirchener Tell Bible. New stories from the Old and New Testament. Kalenderverlag of Education Association, Neukirchen. ISBN 3-920524-51-9
Primary school Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft
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