"Where did evangelicalism in particular go wrong? I think the first way was to treat children as if they needed to be saved as if they were pagans, and not as integral members of a covenant community from birth. Children born into Christian families should be treated as if they are Christians until they display evidence that they are not. They shouldn’t have to pray the sinner’s prayer."
Another outstanding piece, Anne, and an important one for young Christian parents and future Christian parents to read. What is so sad is that so many Christians thought the "sinner's prayer" path to salvation was what they should teach their children. I was well into my adult years before I learned the law/gospel distinction, the distinction between our justification and sanctification in Christ, and so many other basic fundamental truths of the faith, including God's overarching redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation, that I could have known and rejoiced in if someone knew to teach them to me.
I think I mostly agree with this part: "They should not spend time on Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, or the End Times until they have given the youngest of children a full measure, shaken down, pressed together, spilling over of Jesus." But it is actually a new-ish thought to me. I just assumed, from my Sunday School days, that we needed to begin with the Old Testament stories. I think that can still be done, as long as every lesson eventually drives back home to Jesus.
I think the people who raised me in the church (parents, teachers, role models, etc.) did a pretty good job. That I eventually became a rebel for a while is entirely my fault. One possible exception was being strongly urged, at age 4, to say the Sinner's Prayer. That and my parents' complete lack of appreciation for the power and importance of Baptism. In the Sinner's Prayer episode (as I recall it), they literally came into my room at bedtime and said: "Look, you have a choice to make. You can accept Jesus now, or suffer eternal torment in the lake of fire. Would you like to pray with us?" It seemed like a no-brainer kind of decision, so I prayed the prayer.
But WAY more than that, there was Miss Searle, my kindergarten Sunday School teacher (a "spinster" as they might have said back then, seemingly, to me, in her 90s, but probably actually in her 70s). I fondly recall a song she taught us, using the words of Psalm 122:1 -- "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." And I was glad. I still am.
"But here’s what all true Christians today should not do. They should not change their doctrine, their commitment to and belief in the reliability and perspicacity of scripture, their trust in the saving work of Christ, their love of the Law, their strongly bounded cultures and communities, nor even their posture toward the world."
Agreed. The church must ignore the whiny siren songs of the exvangelicals, except to debunk them.
This reminds me of teaching Sunday School last week. It was on the Emmaus Road incident. The "props" for this lesson (the church uses Godly Play curric, I think...I sometimes use it...we rotate SS teaching so I only do it once a month) were sorely lacking, so I just talked to the kids about it. First I have 3rd-5th grade, then they go to play and the K-2nd comes in from running around in the gym. One of the questions I asked during the latter session was, "What do you think you would do if you suddenly discovered that you were actually talking to Jesus?" And a little boy (who is adopted from being a foster kid in a church family) who is about 7 said, while squinching his shoulders up: "I would just go and hug him." And I nearly burst into tears. Because that is what we want a 7yo to think about Jesus, right? Also I then found his mom and dad after the service and told them. :-)
"Where did evangelicalism in particular go wrong? I think the first way was to treat children as if they needed to be saved as if they were pagans, and not as integral members of a covenant community from birth. Children born into Christian families should be treated as if they are Christians until they display evidence that they are not. They shouldn’t have to pray the sinner’s prayer."
Another outstanding piece, Anne, and an important one for young Christian parents and future Christian parents to read. What is so sad is that so many Christians thought the "sinner's prayer" path to salvation was what they should teach their children. I was well into my adult years before I learned the law/gospel distinction, the distinction between our justification and sanctification in Christ, and so many other basic fundamental truths of the faith, including God's overarching redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation, that I could have known and rejoiced in if someone knew to teach them to me.
Great thoughts, Anne!
I think I mostly agree with this part: "They should not spend time on Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, or the End Times until they have given the youngest of children a full measure, shaken down, pressed together, spilling over of Jesus." But it is actually a new-ish thought to me. I just assumed, from my Sunday School days, that we needed to begin with the Old Testament stories. I think that can still be done, as long as every lesson eventually drives back home to Jesus.
I think the people who raised me in the church (parents, teachers, role models, etc.) did a pretty good job. That I eventually became a rebel for a while is entirely my fault. One possible exception was being strongly urged, at age 4, to say the Sinner's Prayer. That and my parents' complete lack of appreciation for the power and importance of Baptism. In the Sinner's Prayer episode (as I recall it), they literally came into my room at bedtime and said: "Look, you have a choice to make. You can accept Jesus now, or suffer eternal torment in the lake of fire. Would you like to pray with us?" It seemed like a no-brainer kind of decision, so I prayed the prayer.
But WAY more than that, there was Miss Searle, my kindergarten Sunday School teacher (a "spinster" as they might have said back then, seemingly, to me, in her 90s, but probably actually in her 70s). I fondly recall a song she taught us, using the words of Psalm 122:1 -- "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." And I was glad. I still am.
"But here’s what all true Christians today should not do. They should not change their doctrine, their commitment to and belief in the reliability and perspicacity of scripture, their trust in the saving work of Christ, their love of the Law, their strongly bounded cultures and communities, nor even their posture toward the world."
Agreed. The church must ignore the whiny siren songs of the exvangelicals, except to debunk them.
This reminds me of teaching Sunday School last week. It was on the Emmaus Road incident. The "props" for this lesson (the church uses Godly Play curric, I think...I sometimes use it...we rotate SS teaching so I only do it once a month) were sorely lacking, so I just talked to the kids about it. First I have 3rd-5th grade, then they go to play and the K-2nd comes in from running around in the gym. One of the questions I asked during the latter session was, "What do you think you would do if you suddenly discovered that you were actually talking to Jesus?" And a little boy (who is adopted from being a foster kid in a church family) who is about 7 said, while squinching his shoulders up: "I would just go and hug him." And I nearly burst into tears. Because that is what we want a 7yo to think about Jesus, right? Also I then found his mom and dad after the service and told them. :-)
Amen. Yes, law and gospel. Their distinction and purposes. Engaging with Jesus inside the narratives as a recipient of His grace and favor.
Yes, the book must be written.
And happy birthday, eldest son!
And also, the Jesus who gets angry when we cut off people’s ears, as I am constantly reminded 😂. (Anne understand this one.)