Christian worldview

Your child is learning what to love, what to mock, and what to call “true” long before they can explain it. That’s the quiet battle behind screen time, peer pressure, music lyrics, and the endless scroll, and it’s why we sat down with Dr. Renton Rathbun, longtime professor and parent advocate, to talk about raising kids who can actually think.

We get practical about worldview formation and critical thinking for kids, including why simply banning content can backfire, and how supervised exposure plus real conversation teaches discernment. Renton explains why humans are wired as “story brains,” not fact machines, and why every family needs a clear template for meaning, truth, and standards. If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child evaluate ideas instead of just reacting to them, you’ll leave with language you can use tonight.

We also go straight at fatherhood and mentorship. Renton makes a strong case that dads drift into escapism when they feel tired or unsure, and that real change often requires an older, wise man to challenge and guide them. We talk about discipline versus mentoring, winning a battle but losing a child’s heart, and the power of doing something simple but hard: being present, naming the good moments, and saying “I love you” out loud.

You’ll also hear the tetherball model that turns fuzzy “opinions” into clear questions: What do you believe? How do you know it’s true? Can you justify it? If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find it.