The Myth of Good Christian Parenting - Kelsey Kramer McGinnis & Marissa Franks Burt
The Bible isn’t exactly a Christian parenting book, despite what some popular books might suggest. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, musicologist and journalist, and Marissa Franks Burt, novelist and theological educator, are on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to dissect the common myths behind Christian parenting advice. They explore how evangelical parenting books sold a prosperity gospel-like promise—if you parent “biblically,” your kids will follow Jesus. They trace the rise of this parenting empire, unpack key influences like James Dobson and Chuck Swindoll, and explain how poor theology has led to confusion, fear, and broken relationships across generations.
Important Links:
Important Links:
- The Myth of Good Christian Parenting by Kelsey McGinnis and Marissa Burt - https://amzn.to/3JUUsH0
- In the Church Library Podcast (co-hosted by Kelsey and Marissa) - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2463181
- Marissa Franks Burt’s Substack - https://substack.com/@mburtwrites
- Kelsey Kramer McGinnis’s Substack - https://substack.com/@kelseykramermcginnis
Recommended episode: “How Faith Deconstruction Can Lead Back to Jesus” with Scot McKnight
Kelsey McGinnis is a musicologist, educator, and journalist who writes about worship, Christian subculture, and church media. She holds a PhD from the University of Iowa and teaches as an adjunct professor at Grand View University. She is also a correspondent for Christianity Today.
Marissa Burt is a novelist, editor, and theological educator with an MA in Theological Studies from Columbia International University. She co-hosts the At Home with the Lectionary podcast and is raising six children with her husband, a longtime pastor.
Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.
