For centuries, music has played an important part in religion. One author has said, "....in religion music always has been a means of reaching the depths of the human heart, even when spoken or written words fail." The Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used music in their ceremonies. The Hebrews used trumpets, cymbals and harps as part of their worship, and some of the most outstanding hymns were written by their King David. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5119-20 advised to "speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and sacred songs. Sing praise to God with all your hearts, "2 During the Dark Ages, music was kept alive by the church, and during the Renaissance much of the outstanding music was written for the church. Down through the classical period in music until the present, a great deal of the best music has been written from a religious impetus

The flat narratives presented in Children’s Bibles typify the assumption that children are incapable of engaging theologically and critically with the Biblical texts. The manner in which Biblical stories are told to children during their formative years can have negative repercussions as children perceive the Scriptures as static and irrelevant. By denying children the chance to explore the dynamic text, they will never discover the depth and potential of the life-giving message of the Bible and can become despondent with Christianity, perceiving it as immaterial as the Biblical narratives show no resemblance to reality. Developing a habit of blindly accepting Christian teachings can also develop a faith which allows unhealthy indoctrination and oppressive beliefs into the Christian’s life. This thesis explores what is necessary to enable and encourage children to critically and theologically engage with the Bible. Using the story of the Widow’s Offering in Mark 12 as an example, the traditional readings present in Children’s Bibles were compared to a critical reading of the text. A Contextual Bible Study was then conducted with two case studies from grade 1 and 4 at Scottsville Primary in order to determine whether children are able to critically and theologically engage with the concepts of Christian Humanism and textual criticism. The findings reveal that this is an important area of research that requires urgent further investigation. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Calvin Theological Seminary, 2001. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-129).

Thesis (J.C.L.)--Catholic University of America, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 229-232).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes proposed project report. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-161, 57-62).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008. / Abstract. Description based on Microfiche version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-181).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes proposed project report. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-161, 57-62).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2005. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 229-232).

Habilitation - Pädagogische Hochschule, Karlsruhe, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [351]-367).