How the Gospel Shapes and Transforms Parenting

I'm just starting to dig into William Farley's Gospel-Powered Parenting, but it looks like a terrific tool to help us bring the gospel to bear in our families. Farley's point is one that evangelical Christians desperately need to recover: "The goal of Christian parenting is heart transformation" (43). Far too often, our goal is transferring morality. And moralism kills the gospel. I'll argue that this is a rebuke fundamentalist Christians need every bit as much as a wider spectrum of evangelicals.

Farley argues that parents can substitute many things for the gospel: techniques, therapy, and even . . . religion (50-51). In their place, he proposes seven ways the gospel affects parents (46-48). The gospel . . .

• Teaches Christian parents to fear God.


• Motivates parents to lead by example.


• Centers families in their male servant leaders.


• Teaches and motivates parents to discipline their children.


• Motivates parents to teach their children.


• Motivates parents to lavish their children with love and affection.


• Is the solution for inadequate parents.