Vad är det barnen sjunger om? Teologin i psalmerna för barn och familj i 1986 års psalmbok

Abstract

The Swedish hymnbook from 1986 includes a section with ten hymns for “children and families”. In addition to this, eight more hymns from other parts of the hymnbook are put forward as recommended for use with children. The purpose of this survey is to, from a critical perspective, examine the theology expressed in the eighteen hymns recommended for children. The result of a qualitative content analysis shows a theology where God is represented exclusively by the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is not mentioned. Jesus Christ is described as both man and God, and described as both the Son and as a child. There are several gender markers when referring to God, all of them stressing the maleness of God. A number of the hymns refer to eschatology and emphasize the coming joy and happiness in heaven. The most evident theological theme concerns God’s wish for relation and nearness to people. As the Swedish hymnbook is a confessional document for the Church of Sweden, there is reason to address the problems arising from the fact that the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in the hymns, as well as the fact that the language about God only uses male gender markers.