Paul expressed an interesting principle about child rearing in Galatians 4. The purpose of the text was to show that in the fulness of time the Father sent Jesus to us to redeem us. We were as children, in bondage (slaves) to the elements of the world, until we became the heirs of God through Jesus. Here is the passage: “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father” (Galatians 4:1).
The reason the illustration is valid is that it in some way equates how earthly fathers deal with their children, to how God deals with us. So, let’s quickly examine a few points to be made from this one verse.
First, children do not have the same rights as adults. We have long recognized this. It is illegal for children to drive cars, to sign contracts, to drink alcohol, to do many activities without adult supervision.
We do this to protect them. Our young are vulnerable and valuable. We do not want their lives to be ruined by making inexperienced and possibly harmful decisions. So, as parents we control and protect them!
For how long? Well, our society has said 18 years for many things, though we will put them behind the wheel of a powerful, 3500 lb. destruction machine on wheels sooner, with only a little training! It is interesting that our text says that the duration depends upon the father. “Until the time appointed by the father.”
This is the reason why so many are troubled by the insertion of government into the family. A large, impersonal institution has begun to make determinations regarding what is right or wrong for a child, rather than the child’s own mom and dad. This is dangerous and wrong. It is also terribly inconsistent. It seems that laws are enacted or changed according to the cause célèbre of the day. Can we protect our girls in the dressing rooms of schools from boys? Not in every state or instance! Do parents receive instant information, or the right to refuse gender specific medications and surgeries for their kids? No, in many places they do not. A parent has to approve a tonsillectomy, but in many cases are not allowed to intervene if a confused child wants surgery to superficially make them look like the other sex.
Our schools and governments want religious parents to be shoved to the back so they can raise the children in ways that mirror societal values rather than scriptural truths. In the face of this, God’s instruction remains for fathers to, “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
