Summary and Remarks Concerning Larry Alex Taunton's "Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity"

An old school friend of mine posted this link to an article on Facebook that appeared in The Atlantic. My first thought was, “This should be an interesting attack against Christianity.” Then, I looked at the title again, and noticed that it had the tagline “Lessons for a Stronger Christianity.” This left me puzzled, because The Atlantic is not known as being a Christian publication, further, it’s much left-of-center, especially in areas conflicting with evangelical/fundamental beliefs. Surely, The Atlantic, in my mind at least, would never publish an article that would challenge Christians, right? After all, isn’t going to church supposed to take care of all that? Isn’t church where one goes to get preached at? Further, according to Christians, aren’t Atheists simply arrogant, hateful, misguided abhorrents to society? If they’d just go to church like they’re supposed to, then they’d see that God is real. If they’d go to church, then the world wouldn’t be so messed up. After all, it was Atheists who have sparked the modern world’s revolutions, most notably the French Revolution, of which I’ve been slogging through over at Clio’s Lessons for more than a year now. If they just realized the foolishness of their position, then they’d reject their stance, and turn to Christ. Therein lies the problem. Who is showing them Christ?

Larry Alex Taunton’s article should be a bombshell. No, let me restate that, it should be a hydrogen bomb. It should cause deep, spirit-led, heartfelt sorrow. It should cause all who profess Christianity to examine themselves, whether they be in the faith, as II Corinthians 13:5 states. It won’t. Modern American Christianity is largely confused. This should come as no surprise to the Bible-believer, because such confusion was prophesied long before America even existed as a nation. Much of the epistles warn against such confusion, but it happened, and is happening anyway. The situation is all too common. Some great teacher, who in many cases has a great heart, arrives on the scene saying amazing things in an incredible way. This man has what seems to be truth, and he definitely has love, so what could possibly go wrong? We should just trust God that He put us under the teacher’s voice. Who are we to question the man of God? Further, this is the way we’ve always done it. It’s tradition, and no one messes with tradition. Especially not an atheist. It’s the atheist who needs to get right, not us Church-going Christians. Mr. Taunton’s article very carefully reveals this very idea/practice as being in fact the problem itself.

Mr. Taunton’s work , which can be seen here, has brought him face to face with atheists, skeptics, agnostics, and many professing Christians. He is attempting to calmly proclaim Christ to an increasingly stormy world. Recently, as his article points out, he and his foundation did a study trying to uncover what he calls “The New Atheists” motives. When did they become Atheist? Why did they choose Atheism? It was questions like these that uncovered many seemingly unrelated statements, that he eventually concluded were in fact all related. Mr. Taunton foreshadows the very heart of the matter when he first quotes Michael, a poli-sci major from Dartmouth, “I really can’t consider a Christian a good, moral person if he isn’t trying to convert me.”  This is the main point, and focus around which all other issues arise. Michael, an atheist, has got it right! In this vein, those professing Christianity have greatly erred, and are in fact part of the ever-growing problems affecting their sacred establishments. After quoting Michael, Mr. Taunton then sets off to prove this point.

Taunton and his team issued a challenge across social media aimed at challenging college student led atheist groups. The response was overwhelming as many across the spectrum responded to the simple request, “Tell us your journey to unbelief.” One such young-man, Phil, greatly touched Taunton. His remarks revealed much that churches just don’t understand, or perhaps in many situations, refuse to understand. Phil was raised in a Methodist church, a church, by his own admission, that he liked. It was a contemporary-style church, but it was not the style that impressed Phil, it was his youth pastor’s, Jim,  heart for and knowledge of the Bible. Phil recalls being able to ask questions, no matter how great or small, during a Bible study setting. He began to realize that Jim would always search the scriptures for an answer. If he knew the answer, great, and if he did not at the moment, Jim would search to find one. Jim simply paid attention, and sought out the Bible. This, however, was not good enough for “growth.” (Numerical growth, not spiritually maturing growth – there is a difference, but more on that later). Jim was told to teach less, and become more of a fun guy in order to attract more numbers. When Jim refused, Phil lost his youth pastor. In Jim’s place the church hired, according to Phil’s testimony, Savannah, a pretty, young girl, “…[who] knew nothing about the Bible.” The numbers began rolling in, but Phil was out. Not out of the church, he still attended, but he attended as an atheist until he left for college. Using this story, Taunton outlines 7 serious issues to which any and all professing Christians should pay attention.

First, most atheists in Taunton’s study attended church. They became atheists in reaction to Christianity alone, nothing else.

Second, those churches had at best an ambiguous message. Messages about being good, or doing good in society (aka Social Gospel) littered the testimonies. Churches were often about their, that is the organization’s, reforming an individual, not Christ’s doing the reforming. No connection was made between Christ and the person’s life, as the Bible states. Taunton recalls Stephanie, a Northwestern student’s remarks, which reveal why she left Christianity. She saw, at best, little incentive to stay in the church, if Christ could not reform the lives of those attending. Taunton further points out that this was not just an isolated comment, but one that was restated often.

Third, churches were giving superficial answers to serious questions. As an educator, I have witnessed this one first hand. A former student of mine recently nailed me with a series of very pertinent questions. He had been asking family, teachers, and pastors the same series of questions for about a year before he reconnected with me. When I started to take the time to show him Biblically the answers he so craved, more questions came. We spent two long evenings, and countless other chats over the last year digging, one on one, into the Bible. I at one point asked him why he hadn’t found any answers yet, he replied with two heartbreaking comments, “I was told that I was thinking too deeply about these things.” and, “I just need to trust by faith that what I’m being told is true.” Both responses reveal the problem Taunton is illustrating. The school and church is not one that preaches social gospel. It would not be claimed by the New Evangelicals or Neo Orthodox realm. It is, as they proclaim Fundamental, Bible-Believing. The reality, however, is that they practice much of the numbers game as well as New Evangelical or Neo Orthodox thought. When the tough questions are asked, those in leadership run, because as Phil pointed out about Savannah, they don’t know the Bible. The students in Taunton’s study all reveal that they found church to be a place of “…shallow, harmless, and ultimately irrelevant people.” They draw this conclusion, especially in the early adult years, from the fact that no one in their professing Christian circles knows how to answer life’s serious questions.

Fourth, my previous comments would seem to have an irreverence for Pastors, Missionaries, and Teachers in the church. It would also seem that these students-turned-atheists have such irreverential attitudes toward church leadership. That’s what someone in those positions of authority would have you believe at least. The reality is much more eye-opening. Taunton has debated many atheists in his lifetime, one of whom was the most antagonistic atheists of his time, Christopher Hitchens. After a debate in 2010, Taunton asked Hitchens why he didn’t attempt to “savage” him on the stage. Hitchens reply is loaded with insight, “Because you believe it.” It was in this paragraph  that Michael from Dartmouth’s quote about good, moral Christians trying to convert him was stated, thus revealing that only a few Christians are due respect. All others claiming to follow Christ are then called out. The atheist, as I have experienced, and Taunton points out, have the utmost respect for those who truly, and ”…’unashamedely’ embraced Biblical teaching.” It is only those who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ that earn the atheists respect. Those wishy-washy forms incur wrath, as they should. Taunton shows that this is true not just across the college-aged spectrum, but also quotes famous magician Penn Jillette’s now well-known comments, “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…. How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” No, there’s not a disrespect or irreverence to these leaders, that is unless they’re so ashamed of Christ as to not proclaim the truth to a lost and dying world. In that case, the atheist is absolutely correct in his antagonistic reply to the weak-minded, social clubs that call themselves “churches.” I concur.

Fifth, Taunton states that ages 14-17 are decisive. As a former High school student I couldn’t agree more. I’d, however, further add that each and every year after 17 the young person becomes exponentially more difficult to reach. Not impossible, but incomprehensibly more difficult. (One can only say such a comment if one has been out “proselytizing.” Otherwise, one would never know this reality in its fullest sense). High school students are not stupid. They often ask better, though simpler, questions about life than adults. They just want to know so much. When they don’t find the answers in one area, by default they look for answers in another area. In today’s age of information at your fingertips, this becomes a serious battle for parents, teachers, etc…. Half-baked answers just won’t suffice. Laziness will soon be exposed. Thus the Bible’s comments about Studying to shew thyself approved or Proving all things and holding fast that which is good. If a Christian doesn’t do these things, what good is he in helping others find truth? Wouldn’t you reject someone who can’t answer your questions on any matter? Teens are no different.

Sixth, emotions are real, and for ages 14-17 they are very serious, often leading to life-changing decisions. Typically in Christian youth rally’s or conferences a type of emotionalized message is preached. Those speakers understand that if they can affect the teenagers emotions, then they can effect an outcome. Often scores of teary-eyed teens flood forward for an alter call, and make decisions about any number of issues. I am not against going straight for a person’s heart, but one must understand that there is a proper way to do so. I’ve had people start crying on the street after I’ve shared the Law with them. This is good, “Godly Sorrow”, not created by my words, but by their own admission to being guilty under God’s Law. That Godly Sorrow, as the rest of the verse states, leads to repentance to Salvation not to b repented of…. II Cor. 7:10. What often transpires, however, at one of these youth events is a ramped up emotionalism that produces numbers of responses. Some of the responses are good, but the majority are nothing more than sensationalized feelings. Speaking from both sides of the coin, I, as a student went forward for the very same things others did. Usually within a week or so, however, the emotion wore off, and I’d be back at whatever it was about which I was so remorseful. That seemed to be the case with others around me too, and I just accepted it as normal. Then I started to notice that I would go further into whatever sin it was that caused me so much angst, and the next time I’d hear an emotion-laced plea, it fell upon deaf ears. I’d become hardened. Not only did I become hardened, I rejected what was being preached. Once I finally understood that Christ overcame the world, sin, death, and hell, and that He wanted to do that for me and in my life, then I realized how wicked I was. Then I was in agreement with God about sin, and then I turned from sin (In repentance to God), and toward Christ (In Faith). This ultimately vital truth is not widely used anymore. It does not produce numbers. Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. It is not enough to point out in an emotional way what sin is. One must give truth to the person who is broken about sin, and compel them to repent from their sin, and turn to Christ. In this case emotions are often present, but emotions without truth properly applied leads to despair when the feeling disappears. Teens more often than not become jaded after a series of emotional responses, and then reject what they think is Christianity. Taunton does not go into this type of detail. Instead he gives witness to abusive relationships, and how they affected the atheists in his study. He metions two cases in which scarred girls rejected a god in whom they thought inflicted pain upon mankind. Their emotions are/were real, and must be handled accordingly. One should understand that these emotionally abusive situations can and do occur in religious settings. (eg. Pastors threatening parents or students, who have experienced some form of wickedness done by the church leadership. The news is all too full of such events).

Finally, Taunton points out that the internet has become an immense tool in teens converting to atheism. The internet is a double-edged sword. When used correctly, it is a very helpful instrument. When used incorrectly, it leaves permanent damage. It would be faulty, however, to blame the internet for causing teens to become atheists. Much as it is faulty in stating that a knife killed a person. The tool has to be willfully used in order for it to be effective. In spite of that, accidents do occur. It is how one responds to the willful or accidental usage of a tool that matters. Let me illustrate my point further. Two teens are doing a research project for school. They both pick the same topic, Atheism. Both claim to be Christians. Both students, Jack and Jill, research the same information, but Jack’s work leads him into atheism, whereas Jill’s work leads her into a deeper understanding of Christ. What was the difference? They both used the same material, but arrived at vastly different conclusions. Jack, who at the beginning professed to be Christian, had a weak, at best, knowledge of the Bible he claimed to follow. Jill, on the other hand, had a strong foundation in the Bible, and was not fazed by the material she researched. She had been properly, Biblically taught the answers to life’s serious questions. When those questions came, she did not flinch. Jack, however, did. The tool did not lead him into atheism, it just revealed that the seed of God’s Word had not taken root in his heart. Jack’s willful choice led him into atheism, not the internet. Jill’s willful choice to follow Christ, kept her from espousing atheism. Thus, when both used the same materials, one used the information correctly, and one used it incorrectly. There are many tools in the world today, much of them online. The parent must be aware of this reality. Further, the parent must be aware of what state the child’s heart is in. This is a present, active, always wary necessity for each and every parent. It does not mean that such parental action will make their child a Christian. It means that a parent must, relying upon Christ, raise their children in scriptural nurture and admonition. When, not if, the serious questions arise, the parent (as commanded by the Bible in hundreds of ways), should teach and train. If that is done properly, the child-become-teen, should not be afraid to answer boldly, and scripturally.

In Taunton’s conclusionary remarks, the makes this powerfully condemnatory last remark, “That these students were, above all else, idealists who longed for authenticity, and having failed to find it in their churches, they settled for a non-belief that, while less grand in its promises, felt more genuine and attainable.” He adds another comment by Michael, “Christianity is something that if you really believed it, it would change your life and you would want to change [the lives] of others. I haven’t seen too much of that.” [Emphasis mine]. What has happened!? Atheists seem to understand something that most professing Christians miss, or refuse to understand. They understand that Christianity, as we know it in modern America, is no longer changing lives, nor does it care to affect the lives of those around them. To add my final thought to the article, one that I and others often use when dealing with professing Christians – “What are you doing with it? If nothing, as Penn Jillette illustrates, why do you hate me so much that you want me to go to Hell? Do you really believe Christ then? Do you really love Him? Has your life been changed by Him?” Well, has it?

Ben Schettler Discusses Problems Facing Children

I am always interested in discussions regarding issues facing children today. Much attention has been given to this very serious topic, some good and some bad. Some of the information given is good, but misses the main point. Ben's discussion, though very good, falls into the missing the point category. All too often professing Christians attempt to fix what is in front of them by attempting to deal with the external issues - such as music, movies, the world's philosophy. Dealing with those issues is not bad - I believe wholeheartedly that we must earnestly contend for the faith - but what does it matter if one convinces another that the music industry is totally immersed in filth? I know many professing Christians who claim that the music industry is totally wicked, but go on "enjoying" it anyway. How can this be? How can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? This is the point, this is the main question that must be revisited, and consequently re-answered. Children must be genuinely, soundly saved. 

Ben's viewpoint, save sin nature, is very good. He clearly illustrates a number of very serious issues, and I certainly recommend watching the attached clip. Further, I endorse his message that 1 man is for 1 woman for life, as God intended it to be. His work in this area is second to none.

Here is my outline of a few key points discussed in the video.

I. Infinite Adolescence:

    A. Problem of Perpetually Remaining Youth.

    B. The Emphasis to Remain Young Has Been Pushed Upon Today's Youth.

    C. Today's "Adolescent" Is Between the Ages of 13 and 30.

II. Kids Need To Grow Up:

    A. Treat Kids As Adults.

    B. Parents Should Want Their Children to Mature.

III. Parents Don't Want Their Children to Fail:

    A. Kids Must Struggle In Order to Grow.

    B. Struggle Is a Necessary Component of Growth, Naturally and Spiritually Speaking.

IV. Arrogant Generation:

    A. This Generation Believes That It Can Do Anything.

    B. The Reality Is that It Cannot Do Anything.

    C. Someone, Preferably the Parent, Should Be Realistic.

V. Understand Gender Identity:

    A. We're Not All the Same!

    B. Born With Natural Desires. (This is where Ben mentioned sin nature, and in reality he's arguing against himself by saying something along the lines of "We're all born with desires." " No one is born homosexual, that desire comes from a sinful progression." - My paraphrase of the few comments made).

VI. Know The Truth - Know God's Word!

VII. Protect Children from Perversion:

    A. Mature Responsibility.

    B. Maintain Innocence.

And here is the video for your own viewing.

Why Go To Church? Part 7b

To Teach and Train My Children, Continued.

In the previous post, I listed a hefty amount of scripture all dealing with the parental responsibility to train children. Because much of what could be said in this article has already been previously stated under “I Go To Church to Learn the Word of God”, this section will be short.

The church is the other God ordained institution that should teach/train children, though it should be secondary, not primary in this pursuit. The greater issue when teaching children is impressionability. The world system has this truth passionately burned into its conscience. Anti-God rhetoric is littered across all pedagogy in all public schools, programs, and literature. Churches, depending on denomination, have been deeply influenced by the world, and many nominal Christians have accepted legions of anti-God philosophy. For instance, Rob Bell is preaching a universalistic gospel, but uses various scripture – though blatantly out of context – to keep “Christians” baited. If a Christian does not have enough Bible knowledge and more so, Bible wisdom, to deal with such error, he will fall pray. Granted, many churches do not have the extreme heretical levels of Rob Bell, Joel Osteen, or Rick Warren to name a few, but many do hold Augustinian, Calvinistic, and Catholic pollutions.

If I as a parent present my children to the system for education, I then open a giant door to let anyone, even with the best intentions, to teach my children. As a child, I remember attending Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, Free-Will Baptist, and Independent Fundamental Baptist Schools. Without fail, my father would ask my brother and I if we were being taught this or that error from this or that school. We were definitely indoctrinated, but did not really realize how that indoctrination was taking place. (Side note, my father was much more hands on than most parents are, believe me. As a teacher, I only consistently talked with 4 maybe 5 parents over the span of 5 years). The point is this, children are sponges. Whatever you teach them, they will almost without fail accept what is being said. Hence Jesus’ words in Matthew.

Matthew 18:1-6

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

It is brutally difficult to “retrain” a child once he’s been indoctrinated either for good or for evil. Don’t believe me? Try reasoning with a life-long Muslim, Jew, Hindu….  It is not impossible, but close. Which is further illustrated by Solomon.

Proverbs 22:6

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Most churches have a watered down “kid” approach, which makes Bible truths into cutsie kid stories. Those kid stories remain kiddish well into adulthood. For instance, if a child is brought up with the Apostle Paul looking like a giant, talking cucumber, he will have that picture for many years. This is a dumbed down approach to the Bible, and highly irreverent. The end result makes the “stories” just that and nothing more. The Bible is much more than stories, it is truth that frees from sin (John 8:29 ff.).

Another more dangerous issue is Salvation. Using the dumbed down approach, many well-meaning teachers will coax children into praying a pray to “Go to Heaven.” What’s wrong with this after all? 1. All kids would rather go to Heaven than Hell. 2. They are trusting that the adult knows what she’s talking about. 3. They trust the prayer that the adult leads them in. 4. No repentance is mentioned ever (being sorry is not the essence of repentance, more on that later). 5. No 1,2,3 repeat after me prayer is ever used by anyone ever in the Bible. 6. When children mature into adulthood based upon faulty methods leading to false-conversion, a total lack of “assurance” becomes a severe problem. Further teachers ensure the now teen/young adult that they prayed the prayer, and are in fact saved. In fact, however, the issue that the now matured child has is conviction, that is real conviction that he is lost, and living a life of sin apart from God. What in turn happens is an inoculated “God Believer” but not “Christ Follower” has been created. This belief will not save, because of the crippling false gospel message that was taught at a young age. Just wanting to go to Heaven is the wrong motive for salvation, it is inherently selfish. We must trust Christ upon both 1. Faith, which leads to 2. Repentance – that is a change of attitude toward sin, which will in turn change your life of sin to one of righteousness. Many, including children want to “Go to Heaven”, but few want to get rid of sin. They want a Heaven filled with the “peaceful, loving God of youth”, but they become offended with the Just, Righteous, Jealous God of the Bible after they mature. Parents, be careful, this is the harmful message most churches are teaching your child. Do not forsake, nor forget Matthew 18:6!

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Children most certainly believe in God, you will not find one who doesn’t. They have to be educated out of the obvious, which proves how stupid adults become in order to continue in their sin. If they already believe in God, then teach them Christ. Teach them truth. Teach them yourself. It may be the difference between Heaven or Hell.

Why Go To Church, Part 7a.

8a. To teach/train my kids. Church is most certainly a God-ordained institution to teach/train. The other, and main, institution is the home. There is a third institution that God ordained, but He did not ordain it to teach/train, He ordained it to protect (not read provide), that is the government. The government does at times teach/train, but that is after the parent has failed – not the church, but the parent only, sorry parents – and the government has to penalize, jail, or even kill as necessity dictates.No parent wants the government then to ultimately teach a child under these circumstances. From the remaining two choices, which one has precedence? Unequivocally the parent, so let’s look at the home first, and then as an outgrowth the church will fall into proper place.

The home was established immediately after it was created to raise children. Understandably, the objection would be that Adam, Eve, and children were all that populated the earth, so there were no work conflicts, and no time conflicts. This argument is a straw man, because God established that Adam and Eve raised their own children. When other institutions arose, God did not commute His ordered command from the parents to anything or anyone else, therefore, the fact remains that Parents raise their own Children. What does the Bible further say concerning this issue?

Ephesians 6:1-4

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

No one other than the parent can properly fulfill verse 4. I taught, and did love my students, but I certainly did not love them the same way I love my own child. Further, I will teach my child more than any teacher can hope to teach. This is an outgrowth of the fact that I love my child, and because I love him, I will do all that I can to ensure he succeeds in life, but more importantly with Christ.

II Thessalonians 2:11

2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

Implicit in this verse is how a child is raise by his father, exhorted and comforted. It was understood that the parent does this, and was doing it.

I Timothy 3:4-6, 12

3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Both passages deal with “men of God”, of which we are all, but do notice that these “offices” could only be held if the family was ruled and taught well. I add taught, because it is one of the functions that the church does, and how could a pastor be a pastor if he cannot teach his own children? He cannot be a novice, and must know the Bible. (Sadly, how many pastors know very little of the Bible, or know only a few pet issues? How can they be relied upon to teach/train?)

I Timothy 5:10, 14

5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. These commands are to women, so do not think that men have the only responsibility. Women are involved in guiding the house and bringing up children. The most successful children will have a double dose of teaching from father and mother. God planned it that way back in the Garden of Eden.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

6:9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. This whole passage deals with teaching God’s greatest command, to love Him. The family teaches this to the child, there is no mention of school, church, government or anything else even implied in this passage. Further, the house was even to be used as a message board for teaching God’s truths! The Jews did, and many still do practice putting scripture on walls and doorways today in accordance with these verses. This was such a vital command that it was again restated in Deuteronomy 11:19-20. Don’t miss it when God says it more than once!

Deuteronomy 31:12-13

31:12 Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

31:13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Notice that training children may at times also spill over to those who are nearby? Regardless, the Fear of the Lord is taught by the fathers, as it was commanded. Another from Deuteronomy for emphasis:

Deuteronomy 32:46

32:46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. This was part of Moses’ final words before he died, therefore, it must be particularly special, and must be heeded.

Joshua 4:21-22

4:21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

4:22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.

This is just one of many instances where a memorial is set up before God in the Old Testament. Children would ask their fathers of the memorial’s significance, and the fathers were responsible to teach history to the questioning child.

Psalm 78:1-7

78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

What an amazing section! Notice what is to be taught, and who is to teach it? God’s words, and the fathers respectively. This holds perpetually, as fathers teach children, and children teach children. Again, no mention of any other institution. If these truths are forgotten, then the child will not know God’s words. The Book of Proverbs was an instruction manual given by a father, Solomon, to his son, Rehoboam. Consider some examples:

Proverbs 4:1-2

4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Solomon gives instruction in Chapters 5-7 concerning the forward man, and the harlot. He commands children to listen throughout.

Proverbs 31:26-28

31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. The woman disseminates wisdom as well. She cares for her children as she does this, and will earn praise from those children that walk after God.

Isaiah 38:19

38:19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth. The father makes truth known to his child.

Jeremiah illustrates what happens to those generations who do not teach God’s Word to their children. They become foolish, and only understand evil. Based upon the well accepted statistic that 85%, stated in every Christian Educator conference I attended, of Christian school kids go into the world, this verse illuminates that truth profoundly.

Jeremiah 4:22

4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. No doubt children can readily quote any rock song, movie line, and tv show joke much easier than he can quote John 1:1, 3:16, 3:30, or any other verse.

Our families are failing to toe the line, and do what God commanded, raise your own child! There are hundreds more examples throughout the Bible that illustrate Parental teaching. There are none to be found supporting any other child raising method.

Hosea 4:6

4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

The greatest reason why parents do not train their own children is because they do not know the Bible themselves. This is another illustration of the Christian school’s, and church’s, failure. Most students in Christian Education are products of parents who were also in Christian Education. Their lack of knowledge has created further generations who know even less about the Bible than they did.

Destruction is promised to those who do not have knowledge. Heed this promise parents! Learn what God has commanded for yourself, that way when someone who claims to be a “servant of God” comes along, you can rightly divide the word of truth, and expose error for what it is. It is your responsibility to protect your child from error, no one else’s! You will stand before God and give account for how you raised your child, make sure it is a good account!