About this Month's Book:

# The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families (Breaking the Cycle of Religious Trauma and Corporal Punishment) Paperback – October 14, 2025

by [Marissa Franks Burt](https://www.amazon.com/Marissa-Franks-Burt/e/B0055WR1O6/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1) (Author), [Kelsey Kramer McGinnis](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_2?ie=UTF8&field-author=Kelsey+Kramer+McGinnis&text=Kelsey+Kramer+McGinnis&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books) (Author)
Christian parents want to raise their kids in a godly way. But what if families have been sold promises that "biblical parenting" can never deliver?

Christian parents want to raise godly children, but what happens when popular biblical parenting methods cause more harm than good? The Myth of Good Christian Parenting exposes how the Christian parenting industry has sold families false promises for five decades, leaving a trail of religious trauma, damaged relationships, and lost faith in its wake. This groundbreaking analysis offers

● historical analysis - traces the development of the Christian parenting industry and its influential figures who built parenting empires;
● research-based insights - features survey data from adult children and parents affected by authoritarian parenting methods;
● theological examination - analyzes how popular teachings on authority, compliance, corporal punishment, and control diverge from Jesus's teachings; and
● encouragement for a better future - equips readers to pursue a new path of freedom and mutual respect within their families.

Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis combine rigorous research with compelling storytelling to reveal how evangelical parenting culture has shaped--and often strained--families from the 1970s to today. Drawing on history, sociology, theology, and extensive survey responses from adult children and parents, they trace the rise of Christian parenting empires that idealize obedient children and perfect households while leaving real families feeling inadequate. They also examine the lasting damage caused by popular Christian parenting teachings--including loss of faith, estrangement, religious trauma, and deep regret for older parents--and provide hope for healing.

Whether you're a Christian parent questioning traditional methods, an adult recovering from a strict religious upbringing, or a church leader seeking healthier family ministry approaches, this book equips you to pursue mutual respect, emotional safety, and authentic faith within your family relationships.

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This book club explores nonfiction books on religion and spirituality. It is a respectful and open group that everyone can enjoy, from believers to nonbelievers, focused on learning, dialogue, and understanding religious expression, history, spirituality, and cultural impact. The goal is respectful discussion of how faith, philosophy, and spirituality shape people and societies. We read books about religion as well as spiritual classics as long as they are open and accessible to all. All are welcome, but we are here to learn and discuss, not to proselytize.

[Purchase on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Good-Christian-Parenting-Evangelical/dp/1587436647/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0) or wherever books are sold. Available October 14, 2025.

Greg G.

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(Online) Religion Book Club Discussion: The Myth of Good Christian Parenting

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