Bad News for Perfect Parents

The January issue of Christianity Today has an insightful article on the myth of the perfect parent.  Here are some quotes to whet your appetite and encourage you to read the whole article.

• “If our supposition–that we can measure the success of our parenting by the outcome of our children–is scripturally based, we should be able to apply the test to God himself.”
• “The root of much of our pain in parenting…is the belief that we should have control over our children when it is hard enough to have control over ourselves.”
• “The record does not tell us if anyone repented as a result of his words, but Ezekiel was never accountable for the repentance of others. He was accountable only for his steadfast obedience.”
• “But we must be clear about our own limits. We are not capable of producing perfect followers of Christ, as if we were perfect ourselves.  Our work cannot purchase anyone else’s salvation or sanctification.”

I love the last line.  Read the rest here.

Advertisement