Comments on: How (Not) to Raise a Pharisee http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Erik Bird http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-281122 Erik Bird Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:36:45 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-281122 Jacob, I've been through what you're dealing with and struggle with it to this day. Especially when someone is new to reformed thinking, pride tends to be an issue as we look around and wonder why everyone else is not as enlightened as us. My first year of pastoral ministry was loaded with pride as I threw one bomb after another at the modern church and those who hold to poor doctrine. It is a fine line that we walk between defending and standing for truth and being prideful. We must remember that we are always and will be always saved by the grace of God, and may we remember that He has led us into truth. Humble yourself brother and may God bless you! Jacob,
I’ve been through what you’re dealing with and struggle with it to this day. Especially when someone is new to reformed thinking, pride tends to be an issue as we look around and wonder why everyone else is not as enlightened as us. My first year of pastoral ministry was loaded with pride as I threw one bomb after another at the modern church and those who hold to poor doctrine. It is a fine line that we walk between defending and standing for truth and being prideful. We must remember that we are always and will be always saved by the grace of God, and may we remember that He has led us into truth. Humble yourself brother and may God bless you!

]]> By: Melanie http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-271490 Melanie Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:38:09 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-271490 HI, Thank you for this magnificent article! A friend of mine posted a link to this article as a comment to a recent blog post of mine, which I hope you'll read, because it echos some of what's in this article. God works in amazingly beautiful ways. http://pursuingholiness.blogspot.com/2008/12/word-of-god.html Merry Christmas! Mel HI,

Thank you for this magnificent article! A friend of mine posted a link to this article as a comment to a recent blog post of mine, which I hope you’ll read, because it echos some of what’s in this article. God works in amazingly beautiful ways.

http://pursuingholiness.blogspot.com/2008/12/word-of-god.html

Merry Christmas!

Mel

]]> By: Jean http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-239408 Jean Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:02:00 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-239408 Pastor Gebbhards: While I find the mass majority of you article very good, I did have a difficulty with one statement made regarding a teen not listening to secular music or watching secular movies as a sign of self-righteousness. I have worked in youth ministry for over 20 years and have never, ever seen a child who listens to secular music and attend secular movies absent from the effects from that form of entertainment. To suggest that a child that chooses not to participate in thes forms of activities out of their love of a Holy God that commands holiness is wrong and is not necessarily a sign of a Pharisee in the making. I believe that we will eventually become what we watch and what we listen to. Do not, for the sake of your position as a leader of children, ever promote music or entertainment that does not glorify God. It will eventually show up in the childrens' lives as bad fruit. We are commanded not to 'cause these little ones to stumble' as there is a huge consequence to them and to leaders. We cannot play with the world and come out untainted. "A little yeast will spoil the whole batch." Sincerely, Jean Pastor Gebbhards:

While I find the mass majority of you article very good, I did have a difficulty with one statement made regarding a teen not listening to secular music or watching secular movies as a sign of self-righteousness. I have worked in youth ministry for over 20 years and have never, ever seen a child who listens to secular music and attend secular movies absent from the effects from that form of entertainment. To suggest that a child that chooses not to participate in thes forms of activities out of their love of a Holy God that commands holiness is wrong and is not necessarily a sign of a Pharisee in the making. I believe that we will eventually become what we watch and what we listen to. Do not, for the sake of your position as a leader of children, ever promote music or entertainment that does not glorify God. It will eventually show up in the childrens’ lives as bad fruit. We are commanded not to ’cause these little ones to stumble’ as there is a huge consequence to them and to leaders. We cannot play with the world and come out untainted. “A little yeast will spoil the whole batch.”

Sincerely,
Jean

]]> By: AnnieLaurie http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-231127 AnnieLaurie Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:32:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-231127 LuAnne - I share your story only with me it's a son, not a daughter. My struggle with guilt and self-recrimination is a daily one but God is faithful and I am so thankful nothing - not even this great heartache - can separate me from His love. Prayer and His word keep me sane and determined to shed my tears but never lose my joy or my hope. God bless you. Great article. Young parents, please heed it. LuAnne – I share your story only with me it’s a son, not a daughter. My struggle with guilt and self-recrimination is a daily one but God is faithful and I am so thankful nothing – not even this great heartache – can separate me from His love. Prayer and His word keep me sane and determined to shed my tears but never lose my joy or my hope. God bless you.

Great article. Young parents, please heed it.

]]> By: Truth Unites... and Divides http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230450 Truth Unites... and Divides Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:33:59 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230450 Correction. "... your story <i>would be</i> a nightmare for me." Correction. “… your story would be a nightmare for me.”

]]> By: Truth Unites... and Divides http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230449 Truth Unites... and Divides Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:32:47 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230449 Dear LuAnne W., Your story grieves my heart deeply. Thank you for having the courage to share your pain. May our Good and Gracious God restore your prodigal daughter and bring her back to you and Him. I am a parent and your story is my nightmare. Here's a link that I just read today: <a href="http://www.challies.com/archives/christian-living/living-on-borrowed-grace.php#comments" rel="nofollow"> Living on Borrowed Grace </a> Dear LuAnne W.,

Your story grieves my heart deeply. Thank you for having the courage to share your pain. May our Good and Gracious God restore your prodigal daughter and bring her back to you and Him.

I am a parent and your story is my nightmare.

Here’s a link that I just read today: Living on Borrowed Grace

]]> By: Ron Edmondson http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230305 Ron Edmondson Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:10:34 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230305 My son sent this link to me. I don't know if he's suggesting or comparing. He's 20 though and understands grace pretty well, so I'm hoping he's seen us live out what I've taught for years about grace parenting. Good post. God bless, Ron Edmondson www.ronedmondson.com My son sent this link to me. I don’t know if he’s suggesting or comparing. He’s 20 though and understands grace pretty well, so I’m hoping he’s seen us live out what I’ve taught for years about grace parenting. Good post.
God bless,
Ron Edmondson
http://www.ronedmondson.com

]]> By: Laura http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230228 Laura Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:40:34 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230228 Thanks Kurt! At least one of our three has a lot of her mama in her, and therefore is quite prone to the phariasaism you've described. It's both scary and frustrating at times to find and expose the sin underlying her outwardly compliant actions. I appreciate your list and hints for raising her, and all of our children, to love and serve God from the heart! Thanks Kurt! At least one of our three has a lot of her mama in her, and therefore is quite prone to the phariasaism you’ve described. It’s both scary and frustrating at times to find and expose the sin underlying her outwardly compliant actions. I appreciate your list and hints for raising her, and all of our children, to love and serve God from the heart!

]]> By: LuAnneW. http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230194 LuAnneW. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:42:19 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230194 I wept while reading this article as it was detailing my 18- year- old, homeschool graduate daughter. Mandy had us all fooled; the Pastors,their wives, others in ministry...as she sat teaching preschoolers about Christ's love,she knew nothing of it in her own heart.As she worked along side me in music ministry and played piano and organ for services,their was no shout of joy within her spirit.We did everything by the "raise a Godly kid" book with Mandy and she sure did learn "Churchianity. Her personal testimony convinced a very mature, Godly Pastor for her baptism at 10-years old. No "bad" music, movies or evil influences for our daughter.We trained our little Pharisee well.One week after her 18th birthday, I came home from caring for my dieing Aunt to find Mandy gone.We are not sure where she is or with who.The last my husband knew of her whereabouts,she had found an unsaved boy to live with and naturally this has devastated my husband. We,of course never alowed dating or interaction with guys,so God only knows what prey she has become.I believe with all my heart, it would have taken a person of unparalelled discernment to have seen this coming and she has left many hearts reeling. Parents,read this article with your heart and eyes open. You may not like what you read, but if you find yourself becoming defensive,look a little closer. I wept while reading this article as it was detailing my 18- year- old, homeschool graduate daughter. Mandy had us all fooled; the Pastors,their wives, others in ministry…as she sat teaching preschoolers about Christ’s love,she knew nothing of it in her own heart.As she worked along side me in music ministry and played piano and organ for services,their was no shout of joy within her spirit.We did everything by the “raise a Godly kid” book with Mandy and she sure did learn “Churchianity. Her personal testimony convinced a very mature, Godly Pastor for her baptism at 10-years old. No “bad” music, movies or evil influences for our daughter.We trained our little Pharisee well.One week after her 18th birthday, I came home from caring for my dieing Aunt to find Mandy gone.We are not sure where she is or with who.The last my husband knew of her whereabouts,she had found an unsaved boy to live with and naturally this has devastated my husband. We,of course never alowed dating or interaction with guys,so God only knows what prey she has become.I believe with all my heart, it would have taken a person of unparalelled discernment to have seen this coming and she has left many hearts reeling. Parents,read this article with your heart and eyes open. You may not like what you read, but if you find yourself becoming defensive,look a little closer.

]]> By: William du Plooy http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/comment-page-1/#comment-230178 William du Plooy Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:50:01 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/09/22/how-to-raise-a-pharisee/#comment-230178 Dear brother Kurt, I am glad to see much of my thoughts confirmed as I consider my little son (2 yr old), as a sinner (As indeed we all have been), needing the same grace that I do (And continue to rely upon), day by day. I trust that he will see our honesty as parents and that he will be moved to express the truth in love, as he sees the Spirit of grace and truth actively involved in sanctifying us by the Word of truth found in Scripture alone, actively transforming our lives to Christ's. By grace alone Dear brother Kurt,

I am glad to see much of my thoughts confirmed as I consider my little son (2 yr old), as a sinner (As indeed we all have been), needing the same grace that I do (And continue to rely upon), day by day.

I trust that he will see our honesty as parents and that he will be moved to express the truth in love, as he sees the Spirit of grace and truth actively involved in sanctifying us by the Word of truth found in Scripture alone, actively transforming our lives to Christ’s.

By grace alone

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