Recently a friend of mine emailed me a collection of video clips from a speech by Michael Nutter, the mayor of Philadelphia. Transcribed below are his words; my comments about the biblical basis for his words follow.

Mayor Nutter: “Parents, get your act together. … You need to get ahold of your kids before we have to.

“Parents who neglect their children, who don’t know where they are … don’t know who they are hanging out with, you’re going to find yourself spending some quality time with your kids in jail together …

“We’re not running a big baby-sitting service; we’re running a big government and a great city. Take care of your children.”

Amen. From beginning to end, the Bible clearly expects parents – not governments, child care, baby-sitters, siblings or other relatives – to nurture their children’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual development.

Of Jesus, it is written that he “grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom” and “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:40, 52). This occurred because his mother Mary and stepfather Joseph were obedient to God’s command of Deuteronomy 6:5-9.

Jesus was diligently taught by his parents when he sat down, walked by the way, laid down and rose up. It is not the proverbial village’s job to raise a child; it is the parents’ responsibility. Mayor Nutter got it right.

Mayor Nutter: “A father has to provide instruction to a young boy on how to become a good man. A father also has to be a good role model to help a young girl be a strong woman …

“If you are not doing these things, if you’re just hanging out there … bringing some cash by, that’s not being a father. You’re just a human ATM.”

Amen. Though expressly denied and bitterly opposed by feminists, the role of fathers in the lives of their sons and daughters is essential (just as a mother’s is).

In Ephesians 6:4, fathers are identified as the ones who are to bring their children up in the training and admonition of the Lord. In Hebrews 12:3-11, the father again is identified as the parent who is to be chastening his children. Again, Mayor Nutter got it right.

Mayor Nutter: “If you’re not providing guidance and you’re not sending money, then you’re just a sperm donor … We have too many men making too many babies that they don’t want to take care of them, and then we end up dealing with your children.”

Amen. Even though this is strong and straightforward language, it does not say enough. The biblical term for men (and women) who make children outside of marriage is fornicator.

Since the Garden of Eden, God’s plan for children has been that they are born into a home where the child’s parents are committed to each other in marriage. Such Bible passages as Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Revelation 21:8 are too plain to be misunderstood: Fornication, regardless of whether it results in the conception of a child, is sin, and it has devastating consequences.

Thank you, Mayor Nutter. It is tragic that you are one of a small number of American politicians who have the wisdom and courage that you displayed in this speech. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).