Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Growing Kids God's Way? A Psychologist's Critique

Biblical and Theological Concerns

Christian critics of Ezzo's material span the spectrum of denominational backgrounds and parenting styles, but they present similar concerns.

Summary of Concerns

  • exhibits/encourages tendency toward legalism (even while advising parents not to be legalistic)
  • uses prooftexting and scripture twisting to give weight and urgency to ideas presented
  • confuses biblical principle and application, so that the Ezzos' favored applications are presented as moral standards in and of themselves.
  • derides other parenting approaches as unbiblical or holding a lower moral standard.
  • emphasis on the moralism of good behavior -- often defined by cultural ideas of proper etiquette -- rather than on hearts turned toward Jesus

Critics acknowledge that Growing Kids God's Way and other material by Gary Ezzo contains some practical and biblical ideas. However, the presence of the above dynamics make it difficult for parents to freely glean the good, and may contribute to an overly eager or rigid way of applying the ideas.

Essential Reading:

"More than a Parenting Ministry"
by Kathleen Terner and Elliot Miller, Christian Research Journal, Christian Research Institute

"The Ethics of Ezzo"
by Tony Payne, The Briefing, Matthias Media (despite the title, the article is about how Ezzo uses the Bible in his presentation.)

"An Evaluation of Ezzo Parenting Programs"
by Dr. Kent McClain

"Growing Kids the Ezzo Way"
by Dr. Philip Ryken, 10th Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

Growing Kids God's Way - Not Ezzo's
by Pastor Bob Bixby, Pensees

"A Critique of Growing Kids God's Way"
Biblical Discernment Ministries

Christian Leaders & Organizations Voice Concerns - An Incomplete List

For Further Information:

More Critiques, Reviews and Analyses

  • Health Care Professionals on Babywise +

    Rosemary Shy, MD , FAAP
    Director, Children's Choice of Michigan Ambulatory Pediatrics
    Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Mich

    "It is dangerous to do it the way he describes," Pediatrician Dr. Rosemary Shy says of Ezzo's technique. "It puts these babies at risk for jaundice, at risk for dehydration, and at risk for failing to thrive, all of which we’ve seen."

    Wilson, Steve, "Baby Care Controversy," WXYZ-Detroit, November 14, 2004

    Arnold Tanis, MD, FAAP
    1999 recipient, John H. Whitcomb Outstanding Pediatrician Award, presented by the

    … Read More

  • Ezzo.info Notes With Sorrow... +

    Ezzo.info notes with sorrow the passing of Michael Mahurin, aka "Metochoi," a pastor who became concerned about the Ezzos' teachings on parenting when he encountered parents, even in his own flock, who believed that following the Ezzos' teachings was the only faithful approach to Christian parenting. Pastor Mike responded by vigorously teaching biblical hermeneutics, logic, and core Christian doctrines like grace and law, both in his congregation and in online discussions. A gifted teacher with an irrepressible sense of humor, Metochoi equipped many Christian parents to use basic biblical hermeneutics

    … Read More

  • An Open Letter about the EzzoTruth Site +

    Summary of This Open Letter

    A site called Ezzotruth.com portrays authors Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo as victims of attacks on their parenting programs and personal character by unprincipled people. Because many of the accusations at the site have been discussed in the past, Ezzo.info simply suggests two things to consider: whether the Ezzos’ claims of victimhood at the hands of numerous reputable Christian leaders are believable and whether the results in the Ezzos’ own family support their teaching. The debate is wearying, but it is crucial to the Christian

    … Read More
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