Free Northerner’s post on the subject of the “Christian culture industry” got me thinking about the subject of parenting and protecting your children from dangerous influences. One of the points that Free Northerner makes (and one that I hear many parents at my parish make) is that you can’t keep all negative influences away from your children. At least, not unless you are willing to live in an Amish type commune. Otherwise, they will find some way of reaching your children. Isolation- living in a bubble- is just not practical if you are unwilling to completely detach yourself and your family from the world.
A better strategy than attempting isolation, I would think, would be one of “inoculation.” As your children mature, deliberately expose them to some of the myriad temptations and evil influences that are out there in the world. But do so in a controlled way- while you are present and able to explain the subject(s) in question to them. This way their first experiences with these matters can be shaped by you, their parents, and not the general culture.
Of course, this is all easier said than done. But it seems sensible to me. I invite my readers to offer you thoughts on the subject. Also, I invite you to offer any additional quotes from scripture that you think might be relevant. Here are two that seem to connect (at least somewhat) with what I’ve discussed:
9Â I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral personsâ 10Â not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. 11Â But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. 12Â For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? 13Â God will judge those outside. âDrive out the wicked person from among you.â
(1 Cor 5:9-13)
My child, keep my words
    and store up my commandments with you;
2Â keep my commandments and live,
    keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;
3Â bind them on your fingers,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Â Say to wisdom, âYou are my sister,â
    and call insight your intimate friend,
5Â that they may keep you from the loose woman,
    from the adulteress with her smooth words.
6Â For at the window of my house
    I looked out through my lattice,
7Â and I saw among the simple ones,
    I observed among the youths,
    a young man without sense,
8Â passing along the street near her corner,
    taking the road to her house
9Â in the twilight, in the evening,
    at the time of night and darkness.10 Then a woman comes toward him,
    decked out like a prostitute, wily of heart.
11Â She is loud and wayward;
    her feet do not stay at home;
12Â now in the street, now in the squares,
    and at every corner she lies in wait.
13Â She seizes him and kisses him,
    and with impudent face she says to him:
14Â âI had to offer sacrifices,
    and today I have paid my vows;
15Â so now I have come out to meet you,
    to seek you eagerly, and I have found you!
16Â I have decked my couch with coverings,
    colored spreads of Egyptian linen;
17Â I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
    aloes, and cinnamon.
18Â Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
    let us delight ourselves with love.
19Â For my husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
20Â He took a bag of money with him;
    he will not come home until full moon.â21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
    with her smooth talk she compels him.
22Â Right away he follows her,
    and goes like an ox to the slaughter,
or bounds like a stag toward the trap[c]
23Â Â Â Â Â until an arrow pierces its entrails.
He is like a bird rushing into a snare,
    not knowing that it will cost him his life.
24Â And now, my children, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25Â Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways;
    do not stray into her paths.
26Â For many are those she has laid low,
    and numerous are her victims.
27Â Her house is the way to Sheol,
    going down to the chambers of death.
(Proverbs 7)