Book Review by Aaron Battey-
Bible Reading with Your Kids is a well-rounded, introductory, parent’s guide on how to read the Bible with children. Many parents feel incompetent to even try teaching their kids the Bible, because they themselves do not know the Bible. Nielson prods that person in an empowering way. No one is ineligible from teaching their children the Holy Bible; and yet, every parent bears the obligation, whether they like it or not. At only 96 pages and using simple speech, Nielson makes this feat of Bible reading possible. Read the book in 4-6 hours, learning to read the Bible to your children for the rest of their lives.
Disclaimer Notations-
While Bible Reading with Your Kids is overall a great read, the author is a Calvinist. Calvinism is a conglomerate of false doctrines summed up in the acronym T-U-L-I-P. If you would like an excellent and concise overview of Calvinism, please go to the following link and download Glen Osburn’s tract on the subject entitled Calvinism. There are a nine pages throughout the book Bible Reading with Your Kids that subtly teach one or two of these Calvinistic doctrines. For the mind that is untrained in detecting this deception, the teaching points can go unnoticed and be harmful to one properly comprehending the Christian faith. Below are the page numbers with the quote and a counter statement each time Nielson’s book finds itself teaching these doctrines. Outside of these teaching points, the book has such excellent teaching for parents that I (Aaron) have taken the time to make these notations and recommend the book.
Pg. 19- “God gives faith to sinful people so that they become completely ‘new’.” “The best we can do is bear witness to the God who can…and earnestly ask him to do a saving work in our sons and daughters.”
These two statements teach the Calvinistic doctrines of Total Depravity and Irresistible Grace. Children are not “born in sin” or with a sinful nature as these statements imply (see Luke 18:16). Neither does God have to operate directly upon the individual’s “depraved” heart in order for that person to be converted. Again, the heart is not born depraved, though it acquire this nature by learning. Even when God did operate directly upon individuals, it did not save that person or animal (i.e. Balaam’s donkey). Salvation is a conscious, individual effort. God will not give the individual faith outside of any faith that is received indirectly through reading the Bible (Romans 10:17).
Pg. 20- “Now, we must always be careful not to seek to manipulate or control God; he will work and save in his way, and in his time.” (first paragraph)
The latter half of this statement does not have foundation within the word of God. The statement could be teaching the Calvinistic doctrine of Unconditional Election and Irresistible Grace both, depending on what all the author has in mind. God does not save us against our will or control (see previous comments regarding p. 19).
“But he alone, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can change their hearts.” (2nd paragraph)
This statement is not necessarily wrong, but it can be depending on what is meant by the writer. If the author intends to mean that the Holy Spirit works directly on an individual’s heart and transforms that heart by overriding the the individual’s free will, then he is teaching Irresistible Grace once again. If he means the Holy Spirit changes the heart indirectly through His inspired words within the Holy Bible, then this has foundation in the scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:17).
Pg. 28- “The exposure of your kids to the power of God’s word-in conjunction with your prayers, and the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts-is truly sufficient to change them…” (last paragraph)
Once again, “The work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts,” is Calvinism. To speak in such a way as to leave the impression that the Holy Spirit currently operates on the individual outside of His instrument -the Holy Bible- is to teach Irresistible Grace. If the individual had any control over the Holy Spirit’s operating on their heart, then it would no longer be irresistible.
Pg. 91-96 On these pages, Nielson gives his explanation of John 3:1-21.
This entire section of teaching is diffuse with false doctrine. Nielson, as a Calvinist, believes that mental assent (faith only) is the only thing necessary to save individuals from their sins. He denies baptism for the remission of sins which is the very essence of Jesus’ discussion with Nicodemus. It is no coincidence that directly after the narrative with Nicodemus in John 3:22, there is narrative given about John the Baptist baptizing in Judea. No doubt, baptism for the remission of sins is the “new birth” Jesus taught unto Nicodemus (Mark 1:4). Baptism is not an “outward sign of an inward change” as Nielson would imply. Baptism is the reenactment of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-4), the figure by which we are saved (Romans 6:17).
Closing Statement
I hope the above disclaimer statements do not discourage you from purchasing the book and reading. There are many of you reading this review who no doubt agree with Calvinism and disagree with my objections. You are welcome to contact me personally about any difference of opinion. Otherwise, please use this resource and start training your children right!