It really is surprising that Jesus taught so little on the subject of parenting.

After all, he was somewhat drawn to controversial subjects. In fact, his authoritative teachings at the crossroads of politics and religion generated such fury among his threatened, power-hungry opponents that they eventually executed him as an insurrectionist and a blasphemer. Evidently, in Roman-occupied Palestine, claiming to be both the king of the Jews and the Son of God was just asking for trouble.

But that was then.

If you want a really good fight now, talking about the political and religious claims of Christ are not your best way forward. Oh sure, they'll get you there. Following Jesus faithfully, even radically, will certainly still land you in the ring, flat on your face, knocked out for a time by the powers of this world. But things like democracy and religious freedom have changed the climate a bit. As a result, there is not quite the same resistance to divergent political views, not quite the same pushback on conflicting religious claims.

But parenting, now that's a different subject altogether.

And if you don't believe me, just try it. Maybe at your next PTA meeting, soccer practice, or swim meet, just try it on for size. Go ahead. Next time you're standing around at the bus stop or the birthday party or the Chick-fil-A play area, just mention that God's Word trumps all other sources when it comes to parenting, and see how it goes. And if you're really up for some conflict, mention it when the child of the person with whom you're speaking starts acting out. Mention it then, as if to say that Jesus actually has something to say about what to do then.

Be advised though. From then on, you just might find yourself talking more and more about either politics or religion. Or maybe both.