Christianity Invented Childhood. It’s Time We Defend it Again

From infanticide to gender sterilization, history is repeating itself. The church must once again be the world’s fiercest protector of children.

This tweet sparked many thoughts for me this week.

“Pre-Christian Rome” was a world of child victimization. That’s what the early Christ-following church was born into. Abortion, infanticide, child castration, selling children, and child sexual abuse were common. Infant exposure, the practice of discarding illegitimate, disabled, or simply female babies, was routine. Children from poor families could be sold into labor or sexual exploitation. Eunuchs castrated in childhood, were in demand. Archaeologists often identify ancient brothels by the discovery of mass graves filled with male infants discarded for lacking market value.

Into this darkness came the gospel. Jesus Christ, who entered the world as a vulnerable infant, elevated the value of children. He welcomed them, blessed them, warned against causing them harm, and instructed His followers to become like them. The Apostle Paul even acknowledged the developmental differences of childhood. This was such a radical shift that some historians argue Christianity invented the idea of childhood by recognizing children’s full humanity and worth.

And Christians lived out this new vision. They opposed abortion. They rescued abandoned children. They rejected sexual exploitation and affirmed marriage as a protective sexual boundary. Their treatment of children helped distinguish them from the surrounding culture and fueled the spread of the faith.

But ancient evils are making a comeback.

The Return of Pagan Practices

Our society is not post-Christian. It is pre-Christian. We are watching a return to the same brutal attitudes toward children that defined the ancient pagan world.

Abortion is legal through birth in several states. Infants who survive botched abortions are left to die. Surrogacy allows babies to be conceived, bought, and separated from their mothers at birth. Reproductive technologies often exploit vulnerable women and create children who are intentionally deprived of a parent.

Children are being subjected to chemical castration and irreversible surgeries in the name of gender identity. Medical guidance now exists for minors who identify as eunuchs and seek surgical removal of their sex organs. This is not progress. It is a revival of ancient cruelty.

The Church Must Reclaim Its Role

The church must reclaim its historic role as the world’s foremost protector of children.

Christians already lead in adoption, but that is not enough. We must speak clearly and act boldly in defense of all children. Many pastors avoid these issues because they fear being seen as political. But silence in the face of child harm is not a virtue. It is surrender.

We must oppose abortion and care for both mothers and children. We must speak against surrogacy and donor conception that intentionally rob children of a biological parent. We must work to end the sterilization of minors disguised as medical treatment. We must fight against graphic sex education and sexualized content in schools. We must support laws that protect children’s innocence and dignity.

In the first century, Christians had no political power. Yet they transformed their society by living differently. Today, we have both a platform and a voice. We must use them to protect children from harm.

This Is Gospel Work

Modern society is once again at war with children. As in the days of the early church, Christians must lead in their defense.

This is not a distraction from the gospel. It is the gospel in action. Defending children is one of the clearest signs that the love of Christ is active and alive in His people.

To protect children is to follow in the footsteps of the earliest believers. This is our calling. This is our moment. We must not stay silent.

Let the church be known as the people who protect the little ones.