From the original March 2011 posting:
I've spent a great deal of time on this blog developing ideas about the
problems with First Time Obedience (FTO), but I'd like to quickly
revisit the concept before moving on to some new alternatives for
parents, in light of how the topic relates to the Pearl Method of Child Training through aggressive spanking.
When Lydia Shatz died last year after abuse with the Pearl-recommended Teflon reinforced plumbing supply hose, it was noted by some who knew the family that the Shatz family also ascribed to a theological idea that it was possible for a Christian to completely attain a sinless life. Those who follow the idea of FTO often rely upon techniques like the Pearl or the Ezzo Methods to accomplish those ends, what some describe as an attempt at training human nature and the resultant proclivity to sin out of children in order to obtain perfection.
When Lydia Shatz died last year after abuse with the Pearl-recommended Teflon reinforced plumbing supply hose, it was noted by some who knew the family that the Shatz family also ascribed to a theological idea that it was possible for a Christian to completely attain a sinless life. Those who follow the idea of FTO often rely upon techniques like the Pearl or the Ezzo Methods to accomplish those ends, what some describe as an attempt at training human nature and the resultant proclivity to sin out of children in order to obtain perfection.
I will refer to one of FTO's most zealous advocates within
Quiverfull/Patriarchy to roughly define the expectation and practice,
quoting Voddie Baucham. In context, Baucham describes “Discipline and Training Phase" in his book as well as in audio sermons as directed toward these general and benign sounding objectives for children:
As he expounds on his concept (in a very pleasant tone that does not sound overtly authoritarian), he defines any "delayed obedience" in black and white terms as intolerable, an unqualified disobedience to parent and God, something he requires of a two year old. In his book, Baucham uses an example of expectations that he has for a two year old on pages 109-10 of his book, Family Driven Faith:
- Do What They Are Told
- Do It When They Are Told
- Do It With a Respectful Attitude.
As he expounds on his concept (in a very pleasant tone that does not sound overtly authoritarian), he defines any "delayed obedience" in black and white terms as intolerable, an unqualified disobedience to parent and God, something he requires of a two year old. In his book, Baucham uses an example of expectations that he has for a two year old on pages 109-10 of his book, Family Driven Faith:
What this
means is the degree to which children properly respond to the authority
of their parents is indicative of the degree to which they are filled
with the Spirit. In other words, obedience is a spiritual issue...
You tell your two-year-old to do something in front of the pastor’s wife and she sticks out her tongue yells “no,” and takes off running in the other direction... Eventually you learn that everyone is willing to accept this behavior, or at least to make comments that suggest their acceptance.
The only problem with this scenario is that it clearly violates the principles laid out in God’s Word. It is not OK for our toddlers to be characterized by rank disobedience. Moreover, if we do not deal with this when they are toddlers, our children will grow up to be disobedient, disrespectful, obnoxious teens whom no one wants to be around. More importantly, they will have established a behavior pattern that mitigates against the Spirit-filled life. Remember, a young man or woman who is filled with the Spirit will be marked by obedience to his or her parents...
You tell your two-year-old to do something in front of the pastor’s wife and she sticks out her tongue yells “no,” and takes off running in the other direction... Eventually you learn that everyone is willing to accept this behavior, or at least to make comments that suggest their acceptance.
The only problem with this scenario is that it clearly violates the principles laid out in God’s Word. It is not OK for our toddlers to be characterized by rank disobedience. Moreover, if we do not deal with this when they are toddlers, our children will grow up to be disobedient, disrespectful, obnoxious teens whom no one wants to be around. More importantly, they will have established a behavior pattern that mitigates against the Spirit-filled life. Remember, a young man or woman who is filled with the Spirit will be marked by obedience to his or her parents...
(The remainder original post continues HERE.)
INDEX OF LONGER POSTS ABOUT "FTO"
- A review of the submission required under multigenerational
faithfulness as Vision Forum’s carryover from Bill Gothard’s submission
teachings with various examples of this demand for unquestioned
obedience without credulity. First post specifically examining “First
Time Obedience” in young children.
- A review of the principle of sacerdotalism and parental
convenience (as a control issue in dysfunctional families) as
rationales for requiring “First Time Obedience” and “leaps of faith”
required under multigenerational faithfulness.
- Review of the tendency to make every banal daily activity one of
great eternal spiritual significance as a consequence of works-based
salvation. Includes a discussion of viewing personality traits that do
not fit the belief system’s paradigm as sinful as well as the building
up of all gender related activities as sacramental for the impartation
of inward sanctification.
- Blog host’s personal experience with inherent personality traits
treated by parents as sin, the idolatry of seeking parental approval,
and the consequences of requiring unquestioned submission with the use
of guilt and shame that predisposes one to easy brainwashing and
compliance with thought reform. Includes a section from Biderman’s
Chart of Coercion addressing the powerful effects of devaluing
individuals in religious settings.
- Discussion of the development of how perfectionism, works-based
salvation and First Time Obedience squelch problem-solving skill and
prevent the development of critical thinking under the guise of
multigenerational faithfulness.
- A specific review of the theological problems in Voddie Baucham’s defense of First Time Obedience as well as the refutation of the practice from Scripture. Echos concerns noted in this previous blog post concerning Baucham’s “Family Driven Faith” book.
