My purpose for this entry is to start to think a little about indoctrinating children and informing our children. And ..can people be forced by people to believe Jesus?
The following quote is a blog comment on a comment regarding UK atheist Philip Pullman's books "His Dark Materials" and the movie "The Golden Compass".
It does strike me that a book that may convert children to atheism is abhorrant; but a book that may convert children to christianity is totally unchallenged. We are still (sadly) a christian society that forces views upon our children without letting them decide for themselves what to believe.
We have 4 beautiful grandchildren: Joshua, Josephine, Jesse and Evie and 4 deeply-caring parents: Michael and Isabelle and Jason and Liesl. How dear they are all to us and how it thrills our hearts when we see and hear of the parents' hopes and ideals for their children.
As we all know just too well, a child's formative years will be shaped by many and varied influences: books, DVD'S, parents' relationships, schools, friends, culture - the list goes on!
At the end of the day, our children and our grandchildren will stand before the invitation of all invitations, the clear-cut choice of all choices:
Jesus came to His own and His own people did not recieve him. But to all who did receive him who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:11,12
When our children stand before these two options, nobody will be able to impose on them views or take them by the scruff of the neck or brain-wash them, or drag or kick or nag them into believing.
At those momentous juncture/s of their life-roads, it will be that child's, uniquely individual answer and response to the living God's gracious invitation of rescue in Jesus - regardless of components of his or her upbringing.
Okay, so why bother as a Christian parent, to teach your offspring about the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Bible Stories and in life? Why pray with them and why be so concerned about their values and their hearts? Why choose schools carefully and not fall for every film age-certificate? What are the advantages, what are the motivations?
Firstly, as a Christian parent, this is our Lord's will and "Heavenly Father knows best!"
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Secondly, Our young children and grandchildren need to be informed from the Word and a Christian life about the Good News of Jesus - they can't suck such knowledge out of the air/or thumbs.
There are reems more reasons and advantages!
The point is: no child or adult can be forced by a parent or any other human to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In a genuine relationship with a Father who loves us, believers freely and voluntarily WANT to love and follow Him! Make no mistake, when you are in awe of Anyone you will run after them with great joy!
So then, when Christian parents teach their young from the Word and Christian example. Those parents are not out to force and impose a certain view on their children. The parents recognise their child's own personal responsibility before the God of heaven and earth - whether in formative years or as teenagers or as adults.
So...Christian parents are acutely aware that at the end of the day, that precious child has to be informed and has to respond to Jesus' rescue offer - not as a brain-washed zombie, but as an intelligent, individual, informed human being.
And yes, Christian parents demonstrate and teach the gospel with the bitter-sweet knowledge that their children may follow Jesus joyfully or push Him and His salvation aside.
We know what we are praying for!!
