SOLA SCRIPTURA: CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT DIALOGUE

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[This post has been updated at the end.] 

MY PRAYER IS NOT FOR THEM [Apostles] ALONE. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17: 20-23

Often I hear that Catholics are not Christians. And of the people who believe this, there are some who believe that Catholics so dangerously distort the gospel that they cannot unite with them in prayer. So, effectively, these certain Protestants live in a state of anathematizing Catholics by avoiding them. I write the following to defend my faith, not to proselytize Protestants but to show them that Catholics do not reject scripture, they just interpret it differently.

Protestants will most likely still disagree with a Catholic perspective, but perhaps a respectful debate and a heart that is open to listening to the Catholic interpretation, will allow these people to see that Catholics are truly Christians. And rather than fighting each other, we should turn our spiritual swords and energy to fight the dark forces in the spiritual battle knowing that we are on the same side. And by uniting in prayers and in spreading the gospel of peace,  as the Body of Christ, we can fulfill Christ's greatest hope and his last command before His death—that we all may be one.

A Conversation with a Protestant: 

Protestant: Protestants believe the Bible is the highest Christian authority. We are sola scriptura. We don't believe in following a pope, a system set up by the traditions of man.

Catholic: We totally agree with your point that Christians should never trust a system that was set up by the traditions of man. We believe that Christ chose His apostles who then formed a church and passed on Christ's teachings. That the Apostolic Church wasn't set up by man but was set up by Christ and given His authority.

Protestant: We don't believe that.

Catholic: I know, that is why you are Protestant and not Catholic. Right? Because if you believed that Christ started the Catholic Church and gave the Catholic Church His authority, you would be Catholic and not Protestant, right?

Protestant: Christ didn't start the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church started at the Council of Nicaea in the fourth century.

Catholic: Let me ask you a question. Just go with me here for a second. What if you found out, without question, that factually Christ did start the Catholic Church. What if you found out that Christ did give the Catholic Church His authority, would you become Catholic?

Protestant: No, because even if you could prove Christ started the Catholic Church, it became corrupted and so it lost it's authority.

Catholic: Okay, let's go down that road. Let's assume the Catholic Church did become corrupt, what in scripture tells us that:

1.  God sets up authorities that do not make mistakes or do not become corrupt?
2. God give us the authority to decide when His authorities are corrupt?
3 God gives us the authority to divorce from His authorities and go and become our own authority or start another church? 

Protestant: There are lots of texts that say we should shun someone who gives a false gospel and what about all the texts against wolves in sheep's clothing? By their fruits we shall know them. And so if the Catholic Church has false shepherds and bad fruits then we don't have to follow them.

Catholic: This is where Catholics and Protestants part ways in their interpretation of scripture. We interpret those texts as God telling the Church—as a whole—not the individual—that they must throw out and excommunicate false shepherds. The church should examine the fruit and make the call, not individuals. Matthew 18 makes that pretty clear because when a person sees another sinning, they should first go to that person privately and exhort them. But after that, the person doesn't excommunicate them and walk away. No Jesus said then you take witnesses for the next confrontation. No individual gets to pass judgment. You must have witnesses. But then, if the person doesn't turn from their immorality, it is taken to the church and the church makes the final call—and only then, after the church has made the final call can the people disconnect from their brother. 

Protestant: So what if the church itself is corrupt? Then how can a corrupt church make a right decision about false shepherds. That is the blind leading the blind.

Catholic: Throughout history God has allowed, in fact, anointed men as His authorities who have fallen to the depths of corruption. Judas is an example. But in fact, when you look at all of the Apostles, they all ran away when Christ was arrested. All of them deserted the Lord when tested. Yet, they are not as bad as the white-washed tombs and hypocritical snakes who were authentically anointed as God's Israelite leaders found throughout the Old Testament. These men caused Israel to go astray and worship idols and sacrifice their children to Molech. These were very weak if not demonic men, and yet God didn't give Israel the okay to follow their own leaders or start a new Israel. Nope, in fact Jesus told the disciples to avoid being like those who sat in Moses seat, but that they still must carefully obey them. (Matt. 23).

Protestant: That was before the New Covenant was established.

Catholic: Yet, God established authorities for the New Covenant also and we are to be subject to them.  See: Matt. 10: 2, Luke 11: 49, Acts 1: 2, 26, 42; 4:33; 5: 12;  8: 18; 15:4; 16:4, I Cor. 12: 27-29; Eph. 2: 20; 3:5, 4: 11, II Tim. 4: 3,  I Thess. 2: 6, James 3: 1,  2 Peter 3: 2, Rev. 21: 14,

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Rom. 13: 1-5 

(Many Protestants limit the "governing authorities" to civic only. That would make no sense considering the theocracy that Israel lived under.)

You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters,  to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I Cor. 16: 15-16

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Heb. 13: 17

See also: Ephesians 5, 6, Colossians 3 and I Peter 2, 5, II Cor. 2: 9

Protestant: If we take those verses literally and as meaning for today, then we at least are supposed to follow the shepherds who are closest to the Bible.

Catholic: There are two false premises that fundamentally underlie that statement. Number one is that you assume your understanding of scripture is infallible and that you have God's authority to choose your authority.

In raw reality, people choose authorities that will not challenge their way of thinking. People choose their spiritual authorities like they vote for their political authorities. They go with the one who agrees with them. They want their civil government to reflect what they see in the mirror, just like they will make their God out to reflect what they see in the mirror. 

We have to be brutally honest with ourselves. Does the Bible really tell us that the sheep are equipped to choose their shepherds? I don't see that in Israel. They would have ousted Moses many times as well as many other judge and king God anointed.

And secondly nature tells us that even if our God-appointed authorities are imperfect, we don't get to choose them. Kids do not get to choose their parents, but scripture tells children to obey them.

Protestant: Well, I won't obey the Catholic Church, I absolutely totally would never, ever believe they were God's authorities.

Catholic: I understand. But if they were God's authorities, you would obey them, right?

Protestant: They aren't.

Catholic: But you would obey God's authority or authorities if you knew them to be God's authorities, even if they were corrupt, right?

Protestant: God would never ask me to obey corrupt authorities.

Catholic. I know what you are insisting on. You are believing that corrupt authorities will take you to hell. I totally get that. But if God were to appoint authorities and tell you to submit to them, you would wouldn't you?

Protestant: Only if they taught the Bible. As long as they have the Bible correct.

Catholic: So you have set up guidelines for God? So children can disobey their parent's if they disagree with their parents theology or if their parents sin? So God allows children to judge their parents theology and lives in order to accept being obedient?

Protestant: We are not children in the New Covenant.

Catholic: So God does not give authorities to His people in the New Covenant.

Protestant: Yes… but they have to go by scripture.

Catholic: So you believe that God's authorities will go by your interpretation of scripture to be authentic?

Protestant: No, just go by the clear Word of God.

Catholic: The clear Word…. according to your interpretation. And if they don't you are free to disobey and go find another authority or go start another denomination. Can you show me in scripture where it says that?

Do you see how your argument is endlessly circular and endlessly unworkable? Your argument is basically that I have the God-given right to decide who my authority is based on my interpretation of scripture. So God's way is that the sinful, uneducated, immature human gets to choose to whom God has given His authority. Is that what you believe?

Protestant: No, I believe the Holy Spirit will guide me.

Catholic: Does scripture tell you that the Holy Spirit guides you infallibly to choose your authority?

Protestant: Yes. The Spirit will bring us to all truth.

Catholic: Then why do you need an authority at all? If you are infallibly guided by the Holy Spirit, why do you need scripture at all? Why not just trust the Holy Spirit in your heart and be done with it?

Protestant: The Holy Spirit guides me to the Bible as Sola Scriptura.

Catholic: Is that what scripture says? That the Holy Spirit guides you to the scriptures as your highest authority and the scripture guides you to the church as your highest authority in moral debates among Christians?

Protestant: The Bible says the Bible is the highest authority.

Catholic: Could you show me that in scripture?

Protestant: St. Paul told Timothy that the Bible is God-breathed and "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Tim. 3: 15-17)

Catholic: So Paul, who was given authority to teach, told Timothy that Christians were allowed to disobey authority because they had the Bible? Is that what the Bible says?

Protestant: The Bible says to follow the Bible.

Catholic: The Bible also says to obey your God-appointed authorities.

Protestant: As long as they go by the Bible.

Catholic: Show me where the Bible specifically states that God allows a Christian to jettison His appointed authorities because they don't agree with their interpretation of scripture. Can a child walk away from his father because he disagrees with his father about scriptural interpretation?  Let me ask you an honest question?

See how ridiculous this argument is if you substituted our earthly father in the circular reasoning. The Protestant child would then say that the didn't have to obey their father because their father had a difference of opinion about the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

        The child could say, "I refuse to believe God wants me to obey you dad because I believe the scriptures are my final authority." 

"But honey, " the dad responds, "the Bible says you are to obey me."  

      "Yes, but only if you believe in Sola Scriptura," the child responds.
"I am your final authority according to scripture," says dad, "So if you really consider the Bible God's Word, you will obey me."
"But you don't believe in Sola Scriptura, so God wouldn't want me to have you as my authority."
"So if I told you that my highest authority was scripture, would you then obey me?"
"Yes, because you obeyed me and admitted I was right about the doctrine of Sola Scriptura."
"So you wouldn't obey me if I had said God made me your authority?" Dad looked puzzled.
"Right, you first have to meet my check-list of doctrines I believe to be true from scripture." The child insists. 

The Catholic continued: If you found out that the Catholic Church was truly an ongoing God-appointed authority, would you submit to them?  Because what Catholics have found is that most Protestants still wouldn't. They don't believe they have to submit to anyone. Isn't it true that for some Christians, the Bible alone doctrine is used to make the individual Christian their own authority and they wouldn't submit to the Catholic Church even if they found out God-appointed it as His Church?

At this point, the Protestants usually stop the conversation having the last word about the evils of the Catholic Church…. forgetting about the evils of the Protestant churches and completely ignoring the fact that they too are sinful and corrupt. And that if the same standard they held to judge the Catholic Church would be held to themselves, no one would ever be able to be an authority. No one.

And yet God placed His authorities on earth. In each family—both the small one of one man and one woman and their children as well as the New Covenant family. 

UPDATE: 

A couple of Protestants have objected to this post saying that I have not given the best theological responses for Protestants. I am absolutely willing to change the Protestant responses if someone gives me better ones. All I had to go off of was the answers I have experienced. 

However, understand that I am not interested in taking the conversation off topic. Or in the Protestant asking what they believe to be a better question. I invite Protestants to answer this question exactly as I have stated it: 

IF Christ were to have a church that He gave His authority to, would you obey it? Please don't answer.... "He doesn't have such a church." That is not the question. 

They point of this question is not to get into any other Protestant objections to the Catholic Church. It is to one: Show the Protestant that there is really no evidence they would ever accept for us to show Christ started the Catholic Church. Their position is not based on evidence. 

But the much more important point I am making is that Catholics have been convinced that Christ started the Catholic Church. 

For us to have any meaningful dialogue that premise is where we must start. We don't believe in in the doctrines of sola scriptura or in sola fide because we believe Christ started a church.

We remain faithful to the pope, not because we like him or think he is infallible or pray to him or think he is God. We remain faithful to the bishop in Rome because we believe Christ started a church. 

We are horrified by the priestly scandal and the witch trials and the inquisition and all other things the people in the church have done over its 20 centuries, but we understand Judases infiltrate us and people fail God but God will not fail Catholicism because we believe Christ started a church.

IF Christ started a Church and He gave it His authority, we will be a part of that church and obey her.... because of our love for Christ. Just as we would follow our biological fathers because Christ told us to. It is about obedience. Because Christ started a church. 

Once you understand where the Catholic is coming from (the Catholic perspective), and we understand thoroughly that you don't believe that...but once you have understood the basis of all our beliefs, we can discuss all the theological ideas you have--which are based in the Protestant perspective of sola scriptura. 

I hope that is helpful in our dialogues. 

HOW WE TAKE AMERICA BACK

My Opinion Piece By Teresa Beem

I have always been an activist. When my parents took us out of church school and placed us in public school when I was in fifth grade, I organized a protest outside of my home. We picketed my house with signs on which were written bad words and I got my brothers and sisters and the neighbor kids to walk in circles chanting, "This is what we learn in public school." I didn't win that campaign. I also remember getting a spanking.

When I was the student association president of the Seventh-day Adventist elementary school, Dallas Junior Academy, I staged my second protest against the idea of forced school uniforms. All I had to do was mention in my address to the school board that uniforms would make us look Catholic and that was it. Which I regret now that I am a thinking adult. But anyway, I was like thirteen. My campaign was successful,

though. So generations after me were allowed to wear mini skirts and saggy pants. (I will probably spend some time in purgatory for that one.)

My most extensive trek into community organizing lasted for more than a decade and that is when I started the first Seventh-day Adventist pro-life group in 1985. At its height we had three states chapters, we helped run a pregnancy center in California, we made videos, went around to elementary schools, high schools, universities and churches teaching about abortion and attempting to get the SDA church to change its hospital and doctrinal policies from pro-choice to pro-life. Outcome: unsuccessful.

At the same time, I got involved with the general Right to Life movement in America and volunteered to work for pro-life candidates. Which I still am active in. I have and my kids also, have been in the trenches and have seen a lot more than most people about how the process of political change takes place in the US.

The largest protests in history.....

I have organized and been in so many marches and protests in my life that I can't even begin to count them--lots. I have stood alone for days on the steps of several state capital buildings and legislative branches calling out for action. I have gone door-to-door many times passing out literature, talking to the populous about a particular idea, candidate, bill being introduced in Congress. I have stood in front of grocery stores gathering signature for petitions, spent hundreds of hours calling citizens asking them to vote for a certain candidate and calling and writing congress. Writing op-eds.... you know, the whole spiel....with more passion and energy and heart and tenaciousness and hope and .....nothing has changed. In fact, things have gotten a whole lot worse.

And so, when I write, I have some general knowledge I can share.

HOW WE WILL WIN? We won't.... because:

Conservatives do not want to get involved. Conservatives want to be seen as nice and non-confrontational. Conservatism by its nature is law abiding and actually have a more "live and let live" attitude than the progressives. The law of physics does not bode well for the conservatives to ever get anything done. They simply are not wired with the inertia of political success. They will not react until reacted upon.

William F. Buckley, Jr. is the prime example of a passionate, worked-up conservative. If one is really on fire for change, a conservative will sit down and talk rationally with the enemy, lobbing witty sarcasms at them. But the most you can expect of the lay-conservative is that they get so up-in-arms about something that they will go down and register to vote. Or go practice at a shooting range.

And so, when the good guys, the guys that keep the rules and support democracy are defeated in every battle by the bad guys who cheat and sabotage the game, the good guys simply cannot fathom that rule of law doesn't work. They huddle in a group that breaks off into warring factions about whether the referees have been paid off. Meanwhile the monolithic brotherhood of thieves laugh at us.

Progressives' nature use inertia to get their own way. They do not care if they are nice and many of the leaders thrive on confrontation. They have a determination to force their beliefs on others, because they think the are smarter and better than conservatives. They are willing to sacrifice for their cause which they believe to be based upon "rights." They use brilliant strategies to manipulate and propagandize the public. They know how to bring about change and are constantly reinforced that they are correct in their assumption that conservatives are dumb, because we don't do anything. We fall for it each and every time.

The progressives have been so successful in our nation that they don't even try and hide their agenda and their manipulation anymore.

They just label conservatives who disagree with their policies as "bigoted" or "racist" and conservatives recoil in horror and apologize for wanting rational policies. We are too polite and hate confrontation.

We are a nation that is bullied. And many conservatives are now waking up to the fact that unless we conservatives actually start acting like progressives as far as action (hence the Trump movement) and get past our self-identification as the nice, law-abiding passivity-mongers and actually sacrifice our time and efforts to wrestle things back to the way they should be--our nation has no, zero chance of being the great nation we remember ourselves being.

God is not going to come in and save us. No, if anything, we should be praying that God does not get involved because we deserve punishment, not mercy. (Christians, you know what I am saying here... don't get offended.)

From my experience, there are three things that secure the baby-boomer generation of conservatives as going down in history as the worst, most uncourageous, spoiled, ungrateful, lazy and stupid citizens that ever walked the face of the earth.

1. Our naiveté and laziness--Let's face it, we don't want to fight, or sacrifice. We want to be left alone. And so, conservatives will die out and no one will ever even notice. The USA will be like the extinction of the dodo bird

because we conservatives went gently into that good night, we did not burn nor rave at the close of our day, we did not rage, rage against the dying of the light.

2. Conservatives are now outnumbered. While America slept, the last two generations have been successfully brainwashed with disinformation. Most people under fifty do not see America as great nor see any reason to keep it as it was. They have willingly, in fact, gleefully placed themselves on the Joseph Mengele school of social experimentation. They don't mind the idea of a trans-human super species. So that idea that most

Americans are going to rise up at some point and take the nation back? You are in la-la land. Conservatives are now outnumbered. We lose.

3. For the conservatives who are left, who absolutely see the problem and will sacrifice and fight for their country, there is still one more and I believe insurmountable problem. There is no structure set up for the conservatives to change things. Our progressive counterparts learned this decades ago. There is only one ladder for change in politics. Once you have overtaken it, you can keep it and kick anyone off who attempts to rise on the ladder.

Once you have the universities, once you have the congress and presidency... I don't give a flying flip about the second amendment and the militia, because he who has control of the nuclear bomb button is he who controls the country. Once conservatives have gotten to the point that we are angry enough to start a war, we will also realize that we have no ability to win a war. There is no structure in place that we can unite under. And conservatives will never fight a war they don't think they can win. Liberals will. 

And that is why I do not think we will ever get our country back.

And there we are folks. Please explain to me, why I am wrong. I am hoping there is someone out there who will prove me wrong. 

DO it!!

And a conservative will rather be upset by

what I just wrote and its "negative" tone and that we just need to keep trying...and forget it, turn on the television and zone out rather than see my piece as a challenge to do something. 

7 Tips On Christian Parenting in These Times

Things are getting irrational out there. In fact, not just irrational, but dangerously insane. And we as parents have a responsibility to protect our children, not just physically and mentally, but spiritually.

All children, even grown ones, should feel they can depend upon their fathers and mothers during times of crisis. It is never too late to be the source of strength for your offspring.  And the older and more experienced you are the more you are needed today.

So, how do we as Christians deal with parenting in these evil days? Here are but a few things I can highly recommend.

1. Do Not Ignore Problems

A common mistake parents make is to ignore or try to put a positive spin on reality. Most children older than six sense the danger of our times merely by turning on any social media. No matter how well protected from the "world" your children  are, do not assume they don't realize something is wrong. They listen, they see, and they will automatically panic if their parents stick their heads in the sand and flippantly dismiss or downplay problems.  

Parents who continually joke or minimize problems often increase the stress in children because they lose trust in their authorities. If children believe their parents to be jokesters or irresponsible they often will feel more vulnerable and helpless. 

Here is a rule of thumb: if you are joking to keep yourself from stressing, kids sense it and that will increase your children's panic. So don't joke for your own comfort or to draw attention to yourself.

Rather, let them see you acting responsibly. If you are using humor to calm your kids down and they see that you are in control and not minimizing danger, then you are safe to sparingly joke. 

Another suggestion. Be prudent when using the phrase, "Give it to Jesus." Children innately understand that God gave them you, their parents, to protect them. Some children misunderstand this statement as a parent rejecting or even abandoning their God-given responsibility to protect them. 

Let you children see your confidence in Christ and your ability as a Christian to handle even the worst of situations. Let them know you clearly see the problems in the world and are soberly, maturely and actively seeking solutions. Firmly let them know that with God, you got this... You will not fail to take care of them. 

2. Do Not Obsess Over Problems

Don't overdo point number one as far as discussing danger with your children. I have made the mistake of thinking my children didn't understand how dangerous the culture was. So I discussed news items to prove my position. 

I was told by my children that they didn't need a daily rundown of terrorizing headlines. Their calm demeanor was a coping mechanism of belief, not of disbelief, that times are bad. Our youth are scared out there. Even if they don't show it.

Let them see your confidence in Christ and your ability as Christians to handle even the worst of situations. (I know I am repeating number one--but this is crucial for both sides of the panic spectrum.) To balance your children, do not ignore nor constantly discuss the problems of the world. 

3. Make a Plan

If your children are eighteen-years-old or older and are interested, show them a game plan of what you are going to do so that they know there is a game plan to handle the cultural stresses of being a Christian in a post-Christian world. And usually that means parents need to come up with one! Be sure and base it on the principles of God's Word.

(For example: What will you do to protect your children in public restrooms? What will you do if your business is pressured to support what you consider immoral? Will you quit? Where is that line that you will not cross?) It's a good idea to think these things through and make a plan even if your children never see it.   

Now, how does a parent prepare himself or herself to be that strong, Christian who is capable of dealing with these evil times? I mean, you shouldn't lie to your children. We need to really be prepared. It is possible and you must do it! You owe it to your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren not to fail them. Right now, let's be frank, everyone, even the adults could use a few spiritually, emotionally prepared adults out there.

4. Seek Wisdom

Our Father in heaven, didn't abandon us in these times. He has given us ample resources to draw strength from so that we may be good parents. Among the most necessary things we need is wisdom.

Wisdom is not something you acquire passively. The Bible says we are to seek out wisdom; the pearl is there for those who sell all to purchase the land and then dig for it. That takes effort and planning. 

Scriptures tell us that fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom. That is a good place to begin. Renew a commitment to daily studying of scripture and prayer. In these days, a quick five minute devotion will not do. Sacrifice some time you had carved out to watch television or go to a game. Spend it with God and diligently pray for wisdom. 

Begin a daily routine of asking God for wisdom, then pick up a few books. I recommend Church history books. Other Christians have had to deal with what we are dealing with now. Our experience is hardly new. Read about what the saints and martyrs of the past have done during troubling times. God has given us a cloud of witnesses out there who have written much to help guide you into wisdom. 

5. Put on the Armor of God

Scripture tells us how we can spiritually prepare for when the evil day comes. I recommend reading through the book of Ephesians often, but chapter 6, verses 10-18 are especially helpful:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

6. Pray for Courage

When you are seeking wisdom, truth, righteousness with all of your heart and mind and soul, things will get rough. It is not an easy road, but keep in mind this is for your children and grandchildren and they are worth all the struggle and sacrifice. 

It is going to take a lot of courage. And as in all the things you will need for this spiritual battle, courage is a freely given grace of God. Pray for it. Make prayer your first line of defense in this battle to defend your children in today's world. 

And have faith that God will give you the joy and peace, courage and wisdom to be a hero for your children. You can guide them through the treacherous waters that lie just ahead. The light of your holiness (given freely to you by Christ) is a reflection of His light. And that is not deflecting from God, that is the responsibility God has given you as parents. Be a holy saint for them. 

7. Do Not Forget the Assembling Together

God never meant for us to handle things on our own. There is wisdom and strength and courage in Christian unity. Reach out to other Christian parents. Pray together. 

For some types of Christians it is easy to fall to the temptations of an us-against-them mindset. Scriptures tells us that is is in unity we are perfected. Don't isolate yourself and fear you are alone. Christ's Body on earth, His people need to stay close during these times. 

God bless you as He calls you and makes you parents for a time such as this.