Comments on: Raising Pharisees

By: Peter Spiers

Peter Spiers — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:44:16 +0000

Superb! A must read for every Dad and Mom who love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ!

By: Daniel Chaney

Daniel Chaney — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:22:26 +0000

Jim,

Absolutely right! We must take the scriptures and draw our standards from it. If we try to live another man’s standards, it won’t be long before our hypocrisy is exposed.

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:39:06 +0000

Raising Pharasees is an exceptionally fine article, and I feel sure that virtually all who were reared in a Christian/Church-going home that did not have a balance between law and grace can and does relate to it in a very personal way! Even when sincere, such homes and churches incubate rebellion at various levels, and strike a telling blow, if not a total block, to following generations. Recovery is slow and very painful!
Dorothy

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:27:30 +0000

Regarding posters comments about “not wanting to indulge in worldly music or entertainment.”

I agree that we must have standards, but I think the authors point is that those standards must be developed by the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. As a high school teacher in a Christian School I have often been aware of the temptation to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit. Last year a new believer (high school student) asked me what bands he shouldn’t have on his iPod. It gave me the opportunity to share the scriptures with him regarding personal holiness and rejection of the world. I encouraged him to pray and ask the Lord by His Spirit to take away his desire for anything (music, etc.) that would interfere with his Christian walk. What I DIDN’T do was take his iPod and say, “This band is okay, this one is marginal, and this one is right out.” That would have been pharisaical – the imposition of my own subjective conviction on his life. Praise God that He’s still big enough to be the Holy Spirit and I don’t have to be.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:03:03 +0000

Nice. I teach jr. high girls, most of whom have been raised in the church. This is a challenge that I strive to be intensely aware of whenever I’m preparing my lessons for them; and especially while I’m simply spending time with them. Thanks for the post; I found it very helpful.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:29:11 +0000

I agree with some of the things mention above. On the contrary, I do no agree with some , especially the one about a child (or person for that matter) not wanting to indulge in wordly music or entertainment. It seems as if you are unjustly trying to penalize an individual for having a standard. The BIBLE says we should not be a lover of the world, and loving worldly music and entertainment is out of order. Life can be just as satisfying without it. I still appreciate the essence of the article. God Bless.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:41:12 +0000

I like this article very much and should be a good read for all parents and children ministry, but I do disagree with one statement.

“He adds a layer of rules to the Word of God (like not watching any movies, not listening to popular music, et cetera), giving the impression that he holds to a higher standard than Holy Scripture (Mt. 23:4).”

I don’t think this would be an accurate statement…this would be a good characteristic fro the Christian. I think we all as believers should abstain from certain movies and popular music. I am not advocating boycotting all movies entirely . But it is a good thing that children and adults not give in to the entertainment of the world. abstain from every form of evil; be in the world but not part of it.

Of course it is all attitude on why you would want to abstain from movies and popular music. But, it also is a decision of the mind to stay clear from those things that are un-christ like. I for one try to make every effort to not watch and listen to certain things. I much rather be filling my mind with sermons and Christian music, than listening to some of the garbage that is on the radio.

By: tia

tia — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 23:45:44 +0000

I feel this article is more aimed at my heart than any child I know . . . thank you.

By: David M.

David M. — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:32:53 +0000

Fantastic article. This should be reposted every year or so. It is too valuable to be limited by time.

By: Matthew K.

Matthew K. — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:50:18 +0000

Wonderful post. I especially relate since I’m involved with serving at a jr. high level ministry and I grew up in the church myself. I’m forwarding this post to our youth pastor so he can address the issue in our ministry as well.