Legalism and Liberalism May Have Influenced Hugh Hefner

Human beings have a natural tendency to go for excess. Instead of attempting moderation, many people would rather be all in or all out. Unfortunately, when it comes to parenting, clinging to extremes doesn’t always work out well.

As parents guide their kids through life, they must know that extreme amounts of both legalism and liberalism can negatively influence their kids. This is why parents should aim for moderation and balance.

How Unchecked Legalism and Liberalism can Yield Similar Results

Hugh Hefner, the infamous founder of Playboy Magazine, was said to have grown up in a legalistic Methodist family where physical affection was virtually nonexistent. Also, an adherent to the teaching of Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin, Hefner, like many of our kids today, was basically given permission to pursue his primal instincts endorsed by the so-called intelligentsia of his day—all of this while being motivated to discard his parents’ legalistic faith.

We have heard it said that health and success is about balance. Scripture would affirm this. The same is true about raising our kids. Too much legalism in our faith can often end up having the same effect as too much liberalism.

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