What does the Bible say about parental rights?

As a voter who holds Judeo-Christian values, how would you answer this question? How does your answer inform where you stand on some of our nation’s most pressing debates, and how does it apply to your choices at the ballot box?

Dr. Jim Garlow addresses this issue in his superb book, Well Versed – Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Issues. When the school Jim’s son attended prohibited him from sitting in on the nine-year-old’s counseling session, he asked the counselor a key question:

“To whom does the child belong, the parents or the state (meaning government and government schools)?”

The school counselor responded, “The parents.” To his surprise, Jim replied with, “Wrong. Children do not belong to parents or the state. Children belong to God. He made them. But He has entrusted them to parents … So as the one to whom God has given this child, I insist on remaining in the room if you, a complete stranger to me and my child, are going to have input into my child’s thinking.” 

Four Truths About Parental Rights

Jim’s answer calls us to look to the ultimate authority in any question concerning parents, children, and the state. All rights, including parental rights, come from God. . . regardless of whether they believe in Him. In the Bible, four truths are clear regarding parents and children:

Truth #1: Children belong to God.

Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” In order to define parental rights, we must understand that children ultimately belong to God; they are human beings created in His image.

Truth #2: God has entrusted children to their parents.

If children belong to God, to whom has He entrusted the sacred task of raising them?

The command for children to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20:12), the exhortation to listen to their father and mother’s instruction (Proverbs 6:20), and the charge to parents to teach their children and “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” (Ephesians 6:4) are a few Scriptures showing that parents are the ones charged with raising their children. This charge is not given to the government.

Truth #3: Parents are accountable to God for the way they raise the children entrusted to them.

The fact that God has entrusted children to parents is not a license for abuse or neglect. The Bible is clear that we are accountable to God for everything entrusted to our care—how much more does this apply to the children entrusted to parents!

In true cases of abuse or neglect, God has given the state authority to defend that child and “punish those who do evil” (1 Peter 2:14). However, it must not misuse that authority to punish good parents; that is evil itself.

Truth #4: Parents have the right and responsibility to raise their children and direct their education.

Because God has given children to parents, it follows that parents are the primary decision-makers when it comes to their child’s upbringing, including their education. While they may choose to contract with schools to facilitate their child’s learning, they are ultimately responsible for the physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of their child. Decisions about what, how, when, and where their child will be taught, as well as who will teach them, should be theirs to make. 

Defending these Truths

When parental rights are correctly understood and upheld, more children benefit. Unfortunately, these four principles are not always acknowledged. In fact, we have recently seen a disturbing disregard of parental rights:

• A 2021 gubernatorial candidate in Virginia stated, “… I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach kids.”
  
• Eight of the 20 largest school districts in America do not require parental consent before teachers can use a child’s preferred name and pronouns in class. In essence, they are aiding a child’s gender transition without even notifying the parents.
  
• Minnesota’s legislature just passed a law giving the state temporary emergency jurisdiction over a child who travels to the state seeking gender “transition” procedures.

In light of such policies and beliefs, we critically need voters who understand biblical principles and are prepared to evaluate candidates who may uphold or diminish parental rights.

For that reason, I’m excited to offer you a copy of Jim Garlow’s book, Well Versed, as a “thank you” for your gift to iVoterGuide. I believe this is an essential resource for anyone interested in what the Bible says about the political and cultural issues of our day! If you would like us to mail you a copy, click the link below and give your most generous gift.

Please Send Me My Copy of Well Versed!

Thank you for your support of iVoterGuide, and for defending the God-given rights of parents and children by thoughtfully applying Judeo-Christian principles to your decisions at the ballot box.