Thank you for posting a portion of my article, “Permission to Parent”.  I’d be interested to learn how you came across it.   I have enjoyed reading the many comments on it.

As with anyone’s writings there is always room for improvement in regards to communicating clearly.   Unfortunately, the magazine column I write for each month only allows 900 words and therefore I do not have the freedom to elaborate or explain some points or principles as I would desire.    As you know, there is more to the article than just what you posted on your site.   The others are only reading the bulleted points not within the context of the rest of the article.   Having said that, I never intended for the verses listed to become the proof-text as to why a parent should do the principle suggested.   Rather, I wanted to show that God models the principle mentioned in the various verses.  Parents have permission to inspect their child’s room simply because they are parents – just as God has permission to inspect Achan’s tent (Joshua 7) simply because He is God.    We live in a culture where parents do not exercise their God given rights and feel they need permission in order to parent.   All my article was intending to say is “God gives you permission – now be a parent!   And here are some examples of how God parents us in the same way!”     I can only hope that those that read it would interpret it in a light most favorable to myself and assume that I am not attempting “very poor hermaneutical” gymnastics.  🙂   Anyway, I am always challenged by the occasional critic (particularly a Berean – Acts 17:11) and trust they are there from the Lord (II Samuel 16:11).    If you or anyone else is interested in reading more poor hermaneutically interpreted articles written by myself (or the full length article being discussed), please visit http://www.rodarters.com.   I am sure I’ll be dubbed a heretic before too long.  

hope all is well ~

I would agree that many people today need to be given “permission” to take charge and be the parent rather than just do whatever the child wants from infancy. However, I have also seen that there are many people who don’t understand how to shepherd a child and make them feel cared for. To them, such a list might seem like permission to demand outward performance rather than being willing to admit their own shortcomings and walk with the child through learning life’s lessons.

And then there is the issue of where childhood ends and adulthood begins and whether or not the parents should change their approach at that time.

~Sarah