By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Lakepointe Church.

What would you do if the child you raised chose a political path you believed threatened the very freedoms your family cherishes?

The Viral Question That Ignited a Debate

During a recent Live Free Nation recording at Lakepointe Church in Dallas, host Josh Howerton introduced a clip that had gone “stupid viral” – a boomer Christian mother calling into Dave Ramsey’s show, asking whether she should remove her two children, who now identify as socialists, from her will. The clip, full of raw emotion, set the stage for a broader conversation about the limits of parental authority, biblical stewardship, and the cultural clash over socialism.

Howerton framed the discussion around three core questions: Should Christian parents ever consider disinheriting a child? What does Scripture say about such a step? And how do broader societal trends, like the rise of socialist ideas and school choice, impact these decisions?

Biblical Principles and the Fear of Envy

Howerton warned listeners that many parents conflate financial frustration with deeper envy. He cited Ecclesiastes 7:10, “Say not, why were the former days better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask of this,” arguing that envy cannot be solved with money. He suggested that each generation tends to idealize its predecessors, overlooking the hardships they endured.

He listed a litany of challenges faced by the baby‑boom generation – from the Vietnam draft and 1970s oil crisis to Watergate and the rise of radical LGBT ideology – to illustrate that no era is without struggle. “We need to pastor ourselves and go, hey, man, we got Bible verses for this,” he said, urging families to ground their decisions in Scripture rather than resentment.

Theology of the Three Spheres: Family, Church, State

Drawing on Reformed thought, Howerton explained the biblical concept of three societal spheres: the family (the rod), the church (the keys), and the state (the sword). He emphasized that the primary responsibility for a child’s education rests with the family, citing Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This, he argued, counters the modern trend of delegating education to government institutions.

He warned that when God is removed from the public square, the state seeks to fill that void, leading to policies that may conflict with Christian convictions. “Whoever designed those things gets to define those things, and when you remove God, the government is the highest authority left in society,” he said.

Practical Implications: Disinheritance, Discipline, and School Choice

Howerton did not dismiss the emotional weight of a parent considering disinheritance. He acknowledged that the parable of the prodigal son shows even a perfect father can face rebellion. Yet he stressed that disinheritance should be a last resort, after prayer, grace, and disciplined instruction. “It’s not your fault,” he reassured listeners, emphasizing that rebellion is a product of a fallen world, not parental failure.

On school choice, he urged parents to evaluate whether public schools are aligning with biblical values or inadvertently promoting socialist ideologies. He suggested that families consider private, faith‑based, or homeschooling options to ensure that education remains within the family’s sphere of influence.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Graceful Stewardship

The conversation concluded with a reminder that wealth and inheritance are tools for stewardship, not weapons of rebellion. Howerton summed up his message: “We must put grace dirt on it, get back up and get in there with our whole heart and soul.” By anchoring decisions in Scripture, embracing the three‑sphere model, and resisting envy, Christian parents can navigate cultural shifts without compromising their faith.

In a climate where political ideologies increasingly intersect with family life, the dialogue sparked by a viral video offers a roadmap for believers seeking to honor God while confronting difficult parental choices.

The full episode of Lakepointe Church is available on OBBM Network TV.