Published on September 13, 2024, 12:35 am

Stefani McDade, a renown figure within progressive Christian circles, has recently been appointed as the theology editor at Christianity Today. Criticized by some for its shift towards progressivism, the once esteemed publication remains an influential platform within modern Christendom.

McDade ignited controversy after publishing an article and subsequently sharing a post on social media recommending parents entrust their children to public schools. She likened public education to “strength training” for children’s faith, suggesting that exposure to various secular narratives will strengthen their spiritual resilience.

This idea was met with strong criticism from traditionalists who evaluate it along lines of throwing unsuspecting lambs into a den of wolves. Critics argue that figures like McDade and her contemporaries strive to recondition Christians into believing that their children would thrive in secular settings – hailed by them as being misguided at best or perilous at worst.

Critics also lambaste McDade’s outlook as typical progressive theology which recklessly encourages young children to grapple with worldly narratives they are ill-equipped to deconstruct. The innocence of a child – symbolized here by their fascination with pleasing rainbow imagery versus the powerful assertion of queer normalization inherent in such visual language – may not adequately protect them from potentially harmful agendas hidden behind appealing facades.

Opponents decry this recommendation not merely as counter-narratives but outright subversion of Christianity aimed directly at children. They see it as an undermining element attacking the very core essence of faith itself while simultaneously promoting harmful ideologies.

In defense of her stance, McDade quotes John 17:15; implying that Jesus’ prayer encourages Christians to remain amidst worldly sin yet be shielded from its malevolent influence. Her interpretation is targeted vehemently by critics saying Jesus’ plea would never mean endorsing teachers advocating far-left ideologies nor favoring lessons on radical gender theories over basic arithmetic.

In the face of such backlash, this even led some critics to accuse figures like McDade and her counterparts of attempting to dismantle the biblical conception of family, starting with vulnerable children. They accuse them of fostering false narratives convincing parents that exposure to contravening ideologies constitutes protection for their child’s faith.

The accusation also holds that these figures obscure such contentious ideas with a deceitful rhetoric about “wrestling” and “strength training”, equating it to a modern form of child sacrifice. The actual altar being replaced with classrooms bedecked in secular symbolism reinforcing humanism.

To summarise, critics say that public schools are no “neutral grounds” but intense battlegrounds aimed at radical indoctrination, cloaking an attack on truth under the pretense of education. Stefani McDade’s proposal is therefore seen as not merely ill-advised but potentially disastrous.

Given the climate in which these debates are occurring, trusted news sources are more important than ever before. To remain informed on these real news topics, and properly appreciate their implications from a Christian worldview perspective, it’s crucial to engage with balanced and reliable platforms providing comprehensive coverage.