Them Before Us Podcast - Episode #074: "The Battle for Your Child's Mind Starts at Home"

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Jen Friesen
Guest: Hillary Morgan Ferrer, Founder and President of Mama Bear Apologetics

Introduction

In Episode #074 of the Them Before Us Podcast, host Jen Friesen welcomes Hillary Morgan Ferrer, the founder and president of Mama Bear Apologetics. The episode delves into the critical role parents, especially mothers, play in shaping their children's worldview amidst today's complex cultural and technological landscape.

Guest Background and Motivation

Hillary Morgan Ferrer shares her journey into apologetics, beginning at the age of twelve in a steadfast Christian home. Her passion was ignited by her pastor’s apologetic series, which addressed fundamental questions about Christianity's validity. She recounts:

"When I was 12, my pastor conducted an apologetic series that made me realize Christianity is not just something I've been told is true, but something I can actually defend." (02:02)

Hillary emphasizes that her calling to focus on mothers in apologetics stems from recognizing that moms are often the primary point of contact for children’s daily questions and moral guidance. She highlights the lack of resources tailored for busy moms, leading her to establish Mama Bear Apologetics.

The Importance of Apologetics for Moms

Hillary discusses the unique position of mothers as the “youth pastor in the home,” responsible for answering their children's myriad questions. She observes:

"Moms are getting all the questions you can ask any mom out there. You will have a child that walks past dad sitting on the couch, watching TV, goes into the bathroom where her mom's on the phone and shaving her legs from the bathtub, and the kid will go there to ask her where the pickles are." (02:02)

Hillary underscores that despite attending apologetics conferences, the absence of childcare predominantly leaves women at home, making it imperative to equip moms with the tools to defend and convey a biblical worldview effectively.

Combating Cultural Lies and Establishing Truth

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on identifying and countering cultural lies that challenge children's understanding of truth. Hillary introduces the concept of the Founder's Effect, which she defines as:

"Whoever introduces a topic first automatically gets filed away by the listener as the expert in that topic. Whatever worldview they're bringing to this topic becomes kind of ground zero." (10:29)

This emphasizes the importance of parents being the first and primary source of biblical truth in their children's lives. Hillary outlines three foundational components of a Christian worldview:

1. Original Design: Affirming that everything created is inherently good.
2. The Fall: Acknowledging that sin introduced imperfection and brokenness into the world.
3. Redemption: Embracing the ongoing process of redemption and the hope of eternal life.

She explains how misinterpretations of these concepts can lead to distorted beliefs about gender, sexuality, and morality.

Understanding Gender and Sexuality

Hillary addresses contemporary discussions around gender identity, emphasizing the importance of teaching children about their God-given identities. She states:

"Kids need to realize that there is so much freedom in our biological bodies." (24:21)

She critiques modern approaches that conflate personality or interests with gender identity, advocating instead for a clear distinction based on biblical teachings. Hillary highlights the role of parents in helping children understand that while personality traits and interests may vary, gender itself is not on a spectrum. She provides practical strategies for parents to reinforce these truths, such as:

• Encouraging children to embrace their unique talents and interests.
• Teaching that gender is a fixed aspect of their identity, unaffected by external opinions or pressures.

Christian Worldview Fundamentals

Jen Friesen and Hillary explore the foundational elements of a Christian worldview, aligning them with psychological concepts like cognitive reframing and neuroplasticity. Hillary elaborates on how biblical principles can transform a child's mind:

"Transforming by the renewing of your mind. Who knew that you could physically renew your mind?" (19:09)

She draws parallels between psychological strategies and biblical teachings, illustrating how replacing lies with biblical truth can break spiritual shackles and foster a resilient faith in children.

Parenting in the Digital Age

The episode also tackles the challenges of raising children in an era dominated by digital technology and social media. Hillary offers practical advice on managing children's access to devices:

1. Cell Phones as Tools, Not Gifts:

   "Never give a child a cell phone as a gift because gifts become their property. You give cell phone as a tool, and tools can be taken away if the tool is not being used properly." (33:08)

2. Privacy Policies:

   "They have no right to privacy. If they want privacy, get a diary with a lock on it." (33:08)

3. Setting Healthy Boundaries:
   Hillary recommends using tools like app blockers and establishing household norms where everyone, including parents, adheres to phone-free zones to model healthy behavior.

She emphasizes proactive engagement and oversight, ensuring that children's interactions with technology are guided by Christian values and disciplines.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Apologetics Spark:
  "I can actually talk about this with people who aren't Christians, and this is something that's actually true." — Hillary Morgan Ferrer (02:02)

• Founder's Effect:
  "Whoever introduces a topic first automatically gets filed away by the listener as the expert in that topic." — Hillary Morgan Ferrer (10:29)

• Original Design and The Fall:
  "If you can see original design, we can see how things got jacked up. And then we know that there's a way forward for redemption." — Hillary Morgan Ferrer (14:30)

• Gender Identity Clarification:
  "Personality, interest, and aptitudes are on a spectrum. Gender is not." — Hillary Morgan Ferrer (24:21)

• Digital Parenting Strategy:
  "Never make it a right that they have. Number two, they have no right to privacy." — Hillary Morgan Ferrer (33:08)

Current Projects and Resources

Before concluding, Hillary shares information about her ongoing projects and resources:

• Mama Bear Apologetics:
  Accessible online at mamabearapologetics.com, available on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The platform offers resources, books, and a space to ask questions.

• Upcoming Book - Diagnosing Doubt:
  A deep dive into the scientific basis behind doubt, exploring how doubts spread and strategies to address and overcome them.

• Updated Guide:
  An updated Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Gender and Sexual Identity with three new chapters focused on gender identity.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Hillary expressing her admiration for the Them Before Us movement and Jen Friesen encouraging listeners to explore Hillary’s work through the provided links. The conversation underscores the pivotal role of parents in defending and nurturing their children's faith and worldview in a rapidly changing society.

Find More Resources:

• Mama Bear Apologetics Website: mamabearapologetics.com
• Facebook: Mama Bear Apologetics
• Instagram: @mamabearapologetics
• Upcoming Book: Diagnosing Doubt

By equipping parents, especially mothers, with robust apologetic tools and a clear understanding of biblical truths, Them Before Us continues to champion a child-centric approach in today's ever-evolving cultural landscape.