What If "Biblical Parenting" Isn't Actually Biblical? - with Marissa Franks Burt & Kelsey Kramer McGinnis

Ever feel crushing pressure to get parenting exactly right—but the advice you're following just isn't working for your family? Or worse, it's causing harm? In this conversation with Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis (authors of The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families ), we're talking about the hidden history behind popular Christian parenting advice, why methods from the 1970s are still shaping how we parent today, and how to tell what's actually biblical versus what's just cultural baggage. Marissa and Kelsey share how the Christian parenting industry emerged as a reaction to 1960s social upheaval, why James Dobson's Dare to Discipline set the tone for decades of authoritarian parenting methods, and how ideas about authority, compliance, and control became marketed as "God's way" to parent even though the New Testament only gives one direct instruction to Christian parents. We talk about why mothers are told not to trust themselves (you'll be too soft, too empathetic), how "prosperity gospel parenting" promises specific outcomes if you follow the formula, and why treating the Bible as an instruction manual for parenting robs families of freedom, connection, and relationship. This episode is for you if: • You're following Christian parenting advice that doesn't feel right in your gut • Everything you try seems to conflict with other "biblical" advice • You feel like a failure because methods that work for others don't work for you • You're terrified of damaging your kids by getting it wrong • You can't tell what's actually biblical versus what's just one person's opinion • You're recovering from a strict religious upbringing and rethinking how to parent • You want freedom to parent your actual children, not follow a formula Marissa and Kelsey give research-backed clarity on evaluating parenting resources (check credentials, theology, how it lands in your body), why there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all parenting expert, and how to reclaim your agency as a parent who knows your children better than any author. Plus, why God gently leads those who have young—you are seen, known, and trusted with your particular children. Remember: Your children are whole people and you can connect with them. You don't need a formula; you need freedom to parent the real kids in front of you. 📖 RESOURCE MENTIONED: Marissa and Kelsey's book: "The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families" (affiliate) 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARISSA & KELSEY: Marissa's website: Marissa on Instagram: Kelsey on Instagram: Support the show

You can listen to What If "Biblical Parenting" Isn't Actually Biblical? - with Marissa Franks Burt & Kelsey Kramer McGinnis online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

What If "Biblical Parenting" Isn't Actually Biblical? - with Marissa Franks Burt & Kelsey Kramer McGinnis is an episode from Equipping Godly Women Podcast by Brittany Ann.

This episode is 48:47 long.

This episode was published on Apr 15, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Equipping Godly Women Podcast when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.