From the Unexpert...
Does it work better in child training to be somewhat untruthfully black and white, or to teach children about grey areas? Perhaps grey areas would make it hard for children to learn right and wrong. Perhaps they would be confusing...
But it would be deceitful for me to sketch the Christian life in black and white if I believe the true picture to involve intermediate shades... so perhaps it would be better for people like me to not raise children. Leave the occupation to well-meaning, God-seeking people who can truthfully provide a black and white picture of their world.
But where is the idealism in that idea? Doesn't it make sense that the best way to raise children is by presenting what is absolutely truth? Yes, I think so... "Buy the truth, and sell it not [for man-made maxims]."
Teach a child the truth, teach him to translate it into action, and he will have tools for a life-time of living. Feed him highly specific rules as the Truth, and he won't know what to do in an unprecedented situation.
I'll grant it, it's probably easier to teach in black and white. You don't have to use your brain as much to come up with a Christian way of life. Just tell your children that the internet is evil, they should only drive black cars, they should never be seen without shoes on and college is a place for infidels... if you get them convinced, you'll keep them in line pretty well. But you might be squelching the spread of the Gospel. What will the chil'ns do when they're in some foreign land where the wearing of shoes is regarded with hostility?
It's harder to instill in children an appreciation for modesty, hate for evil, true humility, and genuine love for others. But such an understanding will allow them to successfully navigate the grey areas in life.
(Please do not misunderstand me — I do think it is right to set definite standards of conduct that are not black and white truth. Doing otherwise would probably result in chaos and the child wouldn't learn how to obey, etc.)
But it would be deceitful for me to sketch the Christian life in black and white if I believe the true picture to involve intermediate shades... so perhaps it would be better for people like me to not raise children. Leave the occupation to well-meaning, God-seeking people who can truthfully provide a black and white picture of their world.
But where is the idealism in that idea? Doesn't it make sense that the best way to raise children is by presenting what is absolutely truth? Yes, I think so... "Buy the truth, and sell it not [for man-made maxims]."
Teach a child the truth, teach him to translate it into action, and he will have tools for a life-time of living. Feed him highly specific rules as the Truth, and he won't know what to do in an unprecedented situation.
I'll grant it, it's probably easier to teach in black and white. You don't have to use your brain as much to come up with a Christian way of life. Just tell your children that the internet is evil, they should only drive black cars, they should never be seen without shoes on and college is a place for infidels... if you get them convinced, you'll keep them in line pretty well. But you might be squelching the spread of the Gospel. What will the chil'ns do when they're in some foreign land where the wearing of shoes is regarded with hostility?
It's harder to instill in children an appreciation for modesty, hate for evil, true humility, and genuine love for others. But such an understanding will allow them to successfully navigate the grey areas in life.
(Please do not misunderstand me — I do think it is right to set definite standards of conduct that are not black and white truth. Doing otherwise would probably result in chaos and the child wouldn't learn how to obey, etc.)
posted by Claire at 14:35
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