| Boundaries authors Cloud and Townsend tell of an 11-year-old who stamps her feet and says, "I won't go to the dentist." The father, a boundaries-devotee, agrees that he can't make her go but says, "Remember our rule: If you choose not to go, you're also choosing not to go to the party tomorrow." The child weighs her options and chooses to go to the dentist, thus proving the father's wisdom in allowing her the choice. That's a nice story, but questions abound: If the 11-year-old still said no, would the father allow her not to go to the dentist? Would that be wise? When do children, or adults, set their own boundaries? How do we know when, in stressing our own needs, we're deviating from what is right to do? Judging from the best-selling Christian books, Christians are more interested in self-help than in theology, and many don't mind reading the Bible through the prism of psychology. Plenty of people like the Boundaries approach, which explains the appearance of three sequels: Boundaries in Dating, Boundaries with Kids, and Boundaries in Marriage. In some instances, what the authors call "boundaries" is just plain biblical teaching that sin has consequences and biblical love is sometimes tough. Some is practical sense: Christians don't have to accept every new assignment and go to every meeting. But Boundaries may lead some readers to think that fighting sin is easier than it is. |
Comments
You must be a WORLD print, online, or iPad subscriber to post comments.