An excerpt from a book I’m still reading: “The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families” by Marissa Burt and Kelsey McGinnis.
Starting on p. 4
The authors noticed that many of the marketing pitches of that time (70s, 80s, 90s) …
… hit the same notes. One after another, we found what we call “prosperity gospel parenting promises.” These are claims that suggest that if parents approach parenting the right way, God will bless their efforts and obedience with happy, healthy, godly children who will testify to both parental faithfulness and the Christian way of life. This myth - that God provides a formula for “good Christian parenting” - permeates these resources, presenting an aspirational goal while also motivating parents with high eternal stakes.
We will examine various elements of these myths throughout this book, but for now we want to underscore that empire builders boosted their credibility with claims to teach the simple truths of the Bible. Many evangelicals trust a spirtual leader’s authoritative teaching on every topic, especially when it comes with warnings like this one from Growing Kids God’s Way: “God pre-programmed all factors for success into His divine plan. As with all matters discussed in Scripture, if you violate the principles, you forfeit the blessings. When you embrace His commandments, the blessings of joy and fulfillment will be yours.”
What parent wants to forfeit God’s blessings or risk fearful outcomes? Spiritual goals can put anxious parents on an endless treadmill of introspection…
When promised everything from godly children to a happy home, evangelical parents had a choice: trustingly comply or risk their children’s spiritual well-being. And because much of the teaching relied on theological claims, it came with stowaway doctrines that shaped people’s perspectives about the nature and character of God.