The following articles are related to the topic of PARENTS

Parents, Obey Your Father

Children are the most vulnerable creatures on earth. In the Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics, the following astute observation is found: "The human infant is by far the most helpless of all young mammalian life and consequently requires an inordinate amount of care if it is to be nurtured successfully" (Harrison 1992, 302). Sadly, many are not nurtured successfully. ... read more »

2 Timothy 1:5 — Godly Parents — Wicked Parents

In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul commended Timothy, his young companion in the gospel, for the unfeigned, i.e., genuine, faith which was in him, and which earlier had been in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. What a warming example of godly parental influence. The Old Testament contains a glaring contrast which is worthy of notation. One of Judah's wicked ... read more »

Joel 1:3 – Parental Responsibility

"Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation" (Joel 1:3). The prophecies of Joel were occasioned by a devastating plague of locust that recently had come upon the land of Canaan. Joel, a Judean prophet under the guidance of God's Spirit, interpreted the locust plague as a vivid picture of the ... read more »

Paul’s “Mother”

The last chapter of the book of Romans is highly personal. Therein Paul alludes to no fewer than twenty-nine people in Rome, about a third of whom he knew from earlier associations. Amidst this listing is this curious passage. "Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine" (Rom. 16:13). It is widely believed, due to certain ... read more »

Did Mary, Jesus’ Mother, Ever Sin?

"A friend of mine teaches that Mary, the mother of Jesus, never committed a sin. Would you comment on this?" The Catholic Church teaches two errors with reference to Mary's alleged sinlessness: - It argues that the mother of Jesus was conceived "immaculately," i.e., she did not inherit, as others supposedly do, the guilt of Adam's "original sin." - The ... read more »

The Church Fathers: Benefits and Abuses

The term "church fathers" is a descriptive of some elasticity, depending upon who is using the expression. Generically, it refers to a number of men in those centuries following the apostolic age (A.D. 30-100), who energetically promoted and defended Christianity as they understood it. Protestants usually define the duration of these scholars to about the 6th century, while Roman Catholics ... read more »

God as a Father

The term "father" is a most meaningful term - or should be; and the most precious association of the term is with God. There are four senses in the scriptures in which the word "father" is connected with God. The Human Family Jehovah is the "Father" of mankind in the sense that he is the Creator and Sustainer of our ... read more »

Of Fathers and Their Sons

For some strange reason, we Californians start baseball early in the year, even before the pros. Once again, I have dedicated a good portion of my time to coaching my son's team. Last year I coached Matthew, my almost-six-year-old, in T-ball. This year, it's Nicholas' turn. For the second year in a row, Nicholas is the youngest player on his ... read more »

The Destiny of Our Children: Nature or Nurture?

Do parents have any important, long-term effects on the development of their children? That was the question raised recently by psychologist Judith Rich Harris, author of the controversial book, The Nurture Assumption. Her answer was a boisterous, "No!" Harris's book is sub-titled, "Why Children Turn Out The Way They Do" and "Parents Matter Less Than You Think And Peers Matter ... read more »

Will Our Children Trust in the Lord?

The following bit of wisdom comes from Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." As Proverbs 3 begins, we observe this instruction is addressed to "my son." The well-known proverb represents the counsel that children need ... read more »