When Children Ask About God: A Guide for Parents Who Don't Always Have All the Answers

I purchased this to help me answer my grandson's questions on a level that I thought he could understand. I discovered I had to answer some of my own questions first. In chapter two, Kushner quotes Mordecai Kaplan who wrote, " To answer any difficult question raised by a child, two requirements are necessary: (1) the ability to answer the question to the satisfaction of an adult, and (2) the ability to adapt that answer to a child's mind in accordance with his age. The main difficulty in answering this question ... is that we have not yet arrived at an answer that is fully satisfying to the modern adult mind". This was the problem I had. I needed some answers too. This book has helped me in my search for answers. This is a book for adults, not children. It is not a book you just hand to your child or teenager to read, but rather a book to help you codify your own thoughts and beliefs so you can discuss them with your child, and these discussions will be more valuable than any conclusions at which you may arrive as to the true nature of God.

While I quite agree with a lot of the postulations about how to answer the children's questions but I see so many openings for children to continuously ask questions that are never ending especially if they are not the brightest ones. the brightest ones may quickly grasp the information that you are giving them and they can see the glaring inadequacies and they may either be indifferent, an apostate or a firm believer. A lot will depend on the children themselves and that we have no power over...

Great book to use with children who are unchurched by parents. Helps to know that a discussion can be held to introduce children to faith and beliefs. Glad this book was recommended by our pastor to give to our children for their children. This has really been a wonderful way to get dialogue going and helping to make change happen.

My 9 year old daughter has a disability and has been asking me why God "made" her this way. We are Christians and I ordered this book hoping it would help me answer her questions. I was so dissapointed to find that the author doesn't believe God is an actual being who loves and cares for us. He even states that his friends think he is an atheist! He also doesn't believe that souls go to heaven or anywhere else when a person dies. I will keep looking but I do not recommend this book for Christians seeking answers about God.

Does the job, no more, no less. "Good enough." Why must I write more than I have to say? This is the extent of my remarks.

I found some of the answers a little easy and for a Christian we actually do believe God took on human form in Jesus Christ. Something I wouldn't expect Kushner to embrace.

A very logical philosophy of God. Very well reasoned and explained. No exaggerated or unsubstantiated claims. Easy read. A good book to reread & refer back to as a reference. Highly recommended.

good stuff