Parental Instruction and the "Bent" of the Child: Re-evaluating the Promise of Proverbs 22:6

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Table of Contents

• Introduction

• The Context of Proverbs 22:6: A Call to Foundational Instruction

• The "Bent" of the Child: A Re-examination of the Hebrew chanak

• A Modern Perspective: Dr. James Dobson's Psychological and Biblical Synthesis

• Theological Frameworks: John Calvin and the Sovereignty of God

• A Worldview Approach: Francis Schaeffer's Vision for Christian Education

• Conclusion: Diligent Parenting and Divine Grace

• Bibliography

Introduction

The biblical passage of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," is one of the most well-known and often quoted verses on parenting. For many, it has been understood as an absolute guarantee of a child's salvation or faithful living, provided the parents follow a strict formula of instruction. However, a closer look at the original Hebrew, combined with insights from biblical scholars and theologians, suggests a more nuanced and theologically robust interpretation. This essay will argue that Proverbs 22:6 should not be read as an unconditional promise, but rather as a profound exhortation to parents to discern and develop the unique "bent" or inclination of their child, thereby shaping their character and worldview within the framework of a Christian education that includes the Gospel. This perspective, championed by influential figures such as Dr. James Dobson, is further grounded in the theological principles of John Calvin and the Reformed tradition, and expanded upon by the comprehensive worldview approach of Francis Schaeffer. By examining these diverse yet interconnected sources, a richer understanding of a parent's diligent responsibility and the ultimate sovereignty of God in a child's life will emerge.

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The Context of Proverbs 22:6: A Call to Foundational Instruction

To properly understand the meaning of Proverbs 22:6, it is crucial to analyze its context within the book of Proverbs and the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. The book of Proverbs is not a collection of divine promises in the same way that a prophetic book might be. Instead, it is a collection of general principles, observations, and truths about life that are often, but not always, universally true. The proverbs frequently describe the typical outcomes of certain behaviors. For example, "A lazy man's craving will be his death" (21:25) is not an absolute law but a general principle about the consequences of idleness. Proverbs 22:6, therefore, should be viewed in this same light—as a wisdom statement regarding the probable, and highly desirable, outcome of dedicated parental training, not an ironclad guarantee. The passage's placement in a series of proverbs concerning parenting and child-rearing further solidifies its role as a practical instruction for godly living.

The "Bent" of the Child: A Re-examination of the Hebrew chanak

A key to unlocking a deeper meaning of the verse lies in the Hebrew verb chanak, translated as "train up." While often translated as "train," its root meaning is more akin to "to dedicate," "to initiate," or "to narrow." The word is used in other contexts, such as the dedication of a house or temple. However, a widely accepted alternative translation focuses on the "way he should go." This phrase can be interpreted as "according to his way" or "according to his bent" (LXX). This suggests that a parent's role is not to impose a one-size-fits-all model of godliness, but to identify the unique talents, predispositions, and personality of each child and to dedicate that specific "bent" to the service of God. The instruction, therefore, becomes highly personalized, recognizing that God has created each child with unique strengths and weaknesses. The parent's task is to guide this individual bent toward righteousness and the knowledge of Christ.

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A Modern Perspective: Dr. James Dobson's Psychological and Biblical Synthesis

Dr. James Dobson, in his extensive work on family and child psychology, has been a significant voice in popularizing the "bent" interpretation of Proverbs 22:6. Drawing from his background as a child psychologist, Dobson argues that children are not blank slates; they possess unique temperaments and personalities from birth. He contends that the verse is a call for parents to identify and understand these individual bents. A strong-willed child, for example, has a God-given temperament that, if directed properly, can be a powerful force for good. If misdirected, that same temperament could lead to rebellion. Dobson's synthesis of biblical principles with psychological insights provided a practical framework for parents, moving the focus from a formulaic promise to a personalized, intentional process of child-rearing that recognizes the individual as a creation of God. He consistently emphasized that while parents have a responsibility to teach and model Christian principles, the ultimate decision to accept Christ rests with the child, and the ultimate work of salvation is the Lord's.

Theological Frameworks: John Calvin and the Sovereignty of God

The non-guarantee interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 finds strong support in the theological tradition of John Calvin and Reformed theology. Central to this perspective is the doctrine of total depravity, which posits that every human being is born with a nature corrupted by sin and is inherently unable to choose God on their own. This doctrine directly challenges the idea that a parent's perfect training can force a child to accept salvation. Instead, salvation is seen as an act of divine grace, a work of the Holy Spirit.

Calvin and subsequent Reformed theologians emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation, meaning that God alone is the one who initiates and completes the work of redemption. A parent's role, therefore, is not to guarantee their child's faith through human effort, but to be a faithful instrument of God, planting the seeds of the Gospel, modeling Christian living, and praying diligently. The outcome is not a testament to the parent's skill, but to God's electing grace. This perspective removes the crushing burden of a "guarantee" from parents and re-focuses their energy on faithful obedience and trust in God's ultimate plan.

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A Worldview Approach: Francis Schaeffer's Vision for Christian Education

Francis Schaeffer, a key figure in twentieth-century evangelicalism, provides a critical framework for understanding how to "train up" a child in their bent. Schaeffer argued that the great need of the day was not just a conversion experience, but a coherent, intellectually defensible Christian worldview. He believed that parents and the church had a responsibility to equip children to think critically about the world and to understand how every aspect of life—from art and philosophy to science and history—relates to the truth of the Bible.

In the context of Proverbs 22:6, Schaeffer's insights suggest that training a child according to their bent involves more than just moral instruction. It means helping them to see how their unique gifts and passions can be used to engage with and transform a fallen world for Christ. Whether a child's bent is artistic, scientific, or athletic, a parent's role is to help them develop a Christian mind, to love God with their mind, and to see their entire existence as a part of a larger, redemptive story. This approach moves parenting from simply protecting a child from the world to actively preparing them to engage with it.

Conclusion: Diligent Parenting and Divine Grace

In conclusion, the passage of Proverbs 22:6, when properly interpreted through the lens of its linguistic context and a rich theological tradition, offers a far more liberating and faithful understanding of a parent's responsibility. It moves beyond a human-centered, formulaic guarantee of salvation and instead presents a call to a deeply personal, intentional, and Spirit-led form of parenting. The concept of training a child according to their unique "bent," as popularized by Dr. James Dobson, is affirmed and deepened by the Reformed theological emphasis on God's sovereignty, as articulated by John Calvin. Furthermore, Francis Schaeffer's call for a comprehensive Christian worldview provides a practical model for how to implement this personalized training, ensuring that a child is equipped not only with moral principles but also with a robust framework for engaging the world for Christ. The passage is not a promise that parents can "earn" their child's salvation, but rather a profound wisdom principle that reminds them of the great privilege and responsibility they have as they diligently plant the seeds of faith and trust in the sovereign grace of God for the harvest.

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Bibliography

• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill, translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.

• Dobson, James C. The Strong-Willed Child. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.

• Kitchen, Kenneth A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003.

• Schaeffer, Francis A. True Spirituality. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1971.

• Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 15–31. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005.