The Myth of Good Christian Parenting

How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families

De: Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, Marissa Franks Burt

Narrado por: Marissa Franks Burt

Christian parents want to raise their kids in a godly way. But what if we've been sold a promise that "biblical parenting" can never deliver?

In The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis explore how the Christian parenting book industry has shaped, and often strained, families over the past five decades, continuing into the present day. Drawing on history, sociology, theology, and survey responses from adult children and parents, they trace the rise of Christian parenting empires that idealize obedient kids and perfect households—but often leave parents and children feeling like they'll never measure up.

The authors also analyze popular Christian parenting teachings. They argue that these teachings on authority, compliance, corporal punishment, and control have had lasting effects on family dynamics and spiritual identity—including loss of faith, estrangement, religious trauma, and deep regret for many older parents. This book equips Christian parents, adults thinking critically about their upbringing, and church leaders to pursue a new path of freedom and mutual respect within their families.

©2025 Marissa Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis (P)2025 Christian Audio

A must-read!

As a non-evangelical, I was grateful to gain so much knowledge about what stands behind Christian parenting innthe U.S. -historically and currently. As a mother who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian home, I am so glad that I am many others want to break toxic traditions and find a better and healthier way to raise our children with healthy expectations. This book helps provide the tools to do that and since we all always have room to grow, I completely recommend.

An Impeccably Researched Resource for Anyone Deconstructing Being Parented in Evangelical Culture

For several months I have watched various videos from Marissa and Kelsey, read their posts on social media, listened to their deep dives into influential evangelical parenting books where they dissect the ideas within and expose the mythology behind the claims of self appointed evangelical parenting gurus. When they announced they intended to write a book on the subject of the falsehoods and abuses contained in popular evangelical parenting resources, I could tell they had already done a mountain of research on such issues and I expected it to be a throughly well researched success.

I was not wrong. In fact, they exceeded my already high expectations. With a tone of objectivity, they lay bare the various lies and false prosperity gospel promises of “good Christian Parenting” by drawing upon the testimony of childhood victims from Christian families; pulling apart the inconsistencies within the works of James Dobson, Tedd Tripp, Ginger Hubbard, Larry Christenson, Michael Pearl, Doug Wilson, Larry Tomczak, Bill Gothard, and others like Roy Lessin while also pointing out their incongruity with the words of Jesus; informing readers about the history of Religious Right political ideology and why it places such high importance on authoritarian parenting that relies on corporal punishment; and much more.

If I were to make comparisons with other exposés of evangelical culture, I would put it right up there with Kristen DuMez’s, “Jesus and John Wayne,” as both lay out a political history of the religious right and theology in church history with Marissa and Kelsey closely focusing on how those impacted evangelical parenting. I was impressed with how they drew upon the expertise of those in the fields of psychology, sociology, child development, religious trauma, and history; experts like Philip Greven, Dr. Stacy Patton, Janet Heimlich, Alice Miller, L.R Knost, William Sears, Elizabeth Gershoff, Ryan Stoller, etc…to draw attention to the ways evangelical parenting has caused religious and even generational trauma and research based suggestions for a healthier way forward.

This is a resource for any parent who feels their must be something better than the pain focused authoritarian parenting advocated by evangelical churches, evangelical authors, and influencers. It is also a necessary resource for any adult who is/or has deconstructed the faith of their childhood and wants to understand the impact of evangelical parenting on their trauma and their current faith journey. Marissa and Kelsey are brilliant women with a vast knowledge of history, theology, politics, child development, etc….all of which they drew upon to form this courageous and much needed resource.

Validating, valuable info

Really like the overall presentation of this info and the much needed deep dive into this challenging topic.

The most important Christian parenting book to come out in the last 20 years

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.” The authors of this book make a persuasive case for why and how Christian churches and parents need to return to Jesus’s gentle love and compassion for children.

The authors explain how many of the most popular Christian parenting books of the last 50 years include harmful and legalistic teachings that devalue the humanity of children and create a wedge between parent and child.

They deftly explain how desperate parents were sold a “prosperity gospel” by many popular Christian authors and teachers who promised that if they only follow their formulaic teachings and ritualized spanking, their children would grow up to be godly Christians and not rebel.

The authors also examine how ritualized spanking and harsh, authoritarian demands for instant obedience set the groundwork for child abuse in Christian homes and churches.

At the end, they include ideas about how to start the healing process for survivors. Through a posture of humility and by following Christ’s own example toward children, they lay out the groundwork for a better path. I appreciated their tools Christian parents can use to identify self-proclaimed parenting experts who should not be trusted.

I can only hope that every Christian leader, parent, and church member who has been exposed to these harmful yet pervasive parenting ideas will read this book and carefully consider what went wrong so we can begin the process of providing justice for survivors, healing, and changing churches and Christian homes to make them safer for children.