Strict or Loose? – What I’m Reading


“Christian parents often present themselves with a false alternative when it comes to how they love their children through discipline. That false alternative is the choice presented between “strict” and “loose.” Strict parents are assumed to be the more conservative and biblical, while loose parents are believed to be compromised in their standards. The tragedy is that both are equally missing the mark–Jesus frequently had looser standards than the Pharisees, but those “loose” standards of His did not mean moral laxity. They actually represented a higher standard.

“The task confronting parents is not to get children to conform to the standard the parents believe is biblical. The task is to bring the children to love that biblical standard. At the very center of childrearing, therefore, is the question of inculcating loyalty. A covenant [Christian] family cannot stay together without loyalty. But loyalty is a function of deep gratitude, and gratitude is a function of grace. Many parents, therefore, need to learn what it means to lighten up to the glory of God.” (My Life for Yours, p. 107)

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1 Comment

  1. I agree with most of what you say based upon sheer content. We get our view of life from the same source. You could see this point also, for instance, in Isaiah 1.

    You can tell me if you think this is wrong, but someone said, “Perfect practice makes perfect.” With that in mind, let me give you some points of style for your two paragraphs–simple ones.

    Second sentence change: Many assume strict parents are more conservative and biblical, while loose parents compromise their standards.

    Next sentence: Tragically, both equally miss the mark—

    I myself have a lot of room for improvement.–>

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