Growing Kids the Ezzo Way - DANGER!

In one of my comments on my first article about Mike & Debi Pearl, I mentioned problems with Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo’s “Growing Families International.”  A recent commenter asked if I could explain the problem.

I have to admit that a major problem with GFI is not a biblical problem, rather it is a medical problem, which even Focus on the Family denounced as hazardous to babies.  This is why I really haven’t addressed this cultic group.  However, they do indeed abuse Scripture for many of their claims, so they really are a valid group to examine by an apologetics ministry.

The following is a summary I wrote up in 2002 to cover some of the major objections.  I have not examined this group since that time, but there is a site which has done so.

I’m sure a search of the Internet would turn up lots of sites exposing the problems with GFI and the Ezzos, as well as sites by ardent followers (just like you’ll find with every cult).

So now, on to my summary:

Having not read the material personally, I derive my information from various reviews by apologetics ministries and magazine articles.

A.  Biblical problems.

1.  The curriculum Growing Kids God's Way, by its very name, is claiming revelatory knowledge.

2.  Ezzo claims that since God is a God of order, the concept of “demand” feeding for infants is wrong and unhealthy, leading to "metabolic chaos," while "parent-directed feeding" leads to healthier babies and happier moms.  He calls it "God's Order For Your Baby's Day" (which is also the book title, implying divine revelation).

3.  The Ezzos use the crucifixion to justify letting an infant cry, many times citing Matthew 27:46.  "Praise God that the Father did not intervene when His Son cried out on the cross."  

4.  They claim that their method can generate "a type of spiritual inertia" in children.  "Once the parents have instilled biblical patterns into their child, their training should carry him to the point where God's Spirit will take control of the reins of his heart.  Without sufficient spiritual inertia generated in the formative years (birth through 12), the child will ultimately limit the influence of God in his life."

5.  Parents can't baptize infants at Christ Episcopal Church in Plano, TX unless they commit to attending Growing Kids God's Way as part of their baptismal covenant.

6.  [Removed as obsolete]

7.  Christian Research Institute stated that with GFI "Scripture is often used without regard to context to justify unbiblical or extrabiblical doctrines.  Teachings not found in the Bible (on child rearing) are accorded the status of divine revelation ("God's Way").  Theological confusion and legalism follow from these abuses."

8.  Ezzo states that maternal instinct is not a biblical concept.  Cited by CRI, Ezzo states, "Mothering decisions without assessment are dangerous.  Such noncognitive responses violate the Bible's call to sobermindedness. (Biblical references to 'sober-minded,' 'sober,' and 'soberly' are found in Acts 26:25; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6,8; 1 Timothy 3:2, 11; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 6, 12; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8.)  Yes, even in parenting you must be soberminded."  CRI responds by saying, "None of the biblical references to sobermindedness cited by the Ezzos pertain specifically to parenting.  In fact, none of them even set forth general principles that can rightly be applied to infant care.  Rather than contrasting reason or assessment with feeling or intuition, they contrast soundness of mind or self-control with insanity or immorality."

9.  According to CRI, the Ezzos place a central emphasis on the redemptive role of "biblical chastisement" (a method of spanking) for sin.  Ezzos claim it will cleanse the child of guilt and release him from its burden.

10.  Ezzos suggest that if parents faithfully "grow their kids God's way," God will be obligated to save their children.

11.  Ezzos state that demand feeding is not an option for the Christian.  They state that, "Women who demand feed say they love their children because they tend to their every need.  That is not biblical love; it's idolatry."

B.  Other pastoral concerns.

1.  According to churches the Ezzos have attended or worked with, Gary Ezzo lacks "truthfulness, Christian character, and accountability."

2.  GFI originally developed at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, pastored by John MacArthur.  MacArthur severed support and rebuked Ezzo for his divisiveness.  He was also cited by MacArthur as obscuring what was biblical versus personal preference, and MacArthur is quoted as stating Gary Ezzo is disqualified "from Christian leadership or public ministry in any context." 

3.  Ezzos were also excommunicated from Living Hope Evangelical Fellowship of Granada Hills, CA, which itself was a split from MacArthur's church when Gary left.

4.  Gary Ezzo was asked to step down as pastor-teacher in early 1980s from a church in New Jersey because of his divisiveness, the church accusing him of exhibiting "authoritarianism and isolationist tendencies."

5.  There is a controversy over mismanagement of funds resulting in his accounting firm terminating their relationship.  

6.  Ezzo has been charged with "persistent unwillingness to respond to biblical admonition" and basically considers himself to be accountable to no one.

7.  Ezzo's educational accomplishments have been exaggerated and falsified.  Former editorial director at GFI, Frank York, has a very interesting open letter to Ezzo's publishers on the internet (www.mailing-list.net/redrhino/Ezzo/Frank York.html) discussing many of the integrity problems with Gary Ezzo [this link is no longer available].

8.  The president of Apple Tree Family Ministries wrote a letter to Christianity Today stating, "for 10 years I have observed devastating results of this program, as well as serious integrity concerns: slow weight-gaining babies; depressed children; division among churches, friendships, and families; false attacks on people who disagree or dare to raise concerns, including myself."

9.  The Christian Research Institute did an in-depth study of Ezzos and their programs and came to the conclusion that it is a cultic community.  They state, "The Ezzo's word on parenting seems to close the matter irrespective of evidence.  Individual interpretation on that subject is not allowed.  The Ezzos appear to be unaccountable to anyone outside of their own group and to suppress any attempt to question them from within the group. ... The Ezzos are considered virtually the only ones who are teaching biblical truth on their subject.  Those who follow the Ezzo way are believed to raise morally superior children.  Some esteem the Ezzo philosophy of child-rearing to be so essential that they treat it almost as though it were the gospel.  It is promoted with missionary zeal, resulting in division among churches, families, and friends.  In fact, Christian outsiders are some-times viewed and treated as sub-Christian. ... Members of the GFI 'community' have been shielded from teachings and opinions contrary to the Ezzo way.  Full knowledge of GFI teachings has been withheld until after one becomes involved with the program."

CRI also points out examples, such as how well a child sleeps being based on its parents' "spirituality."

C.  Health concerns. 

1.  Christianity Today said, "The Ezzo's program for 'parent-directed feeding' (PDF), their advice about physical punishment for young toddlers, and the lack of independent research to support their methods, have generated an international controversy among Christian leaders, pediatricians, and lactation experts."  

2.  Ezzo "has no professional background in child development, medicine, or breast-feeding support" yet claims to be an authority on all three.  His "infant-feeding advice is inconsistent with standard medical recommendations."  

3.  The American Academy of Pediatrics have specifically condemned Babywise and Preparation for Parenting as hazardous to infants' health, and have identified 35 unsubstantiated medical claims in Babywise alone. 

4.  Leading breast-feeding authorities have specifically warned against GFI programs in regards to infant feeding.

5.  Frank York's letter also discusses medical problems and false medical claims by Ezzo in his books.  

6.  Jeff Gerke resigned as Multnomah Publishing editor in 2001 over the Ezzo books.  Jeff stated, "I'm personally convinced Gary Ezzo and his infant care materials are dangerous.  He has no medical training and therefore no business writing medical books - or disregarding the advice of bona fide medical professionals."

7.  Well-known pediatrician and author of baby books, Dr. William Sears, soundly condemns the Ezzo methods as damaging.

8.  According to the Christian Research Journal, "A child abuse prevention council's religious task force (including evangelical Christian pastors) investigating GFI programs found that they were not developmentally and age appropriate.  It further concluded that the programs did not consider individual temperament, have a balance of loving guidance and discipline, or foster parental discernment."

My major problem with the entire program as described in a World magazine article, including the quotes from the Ezzos, is their very, very poor exegesis.  They have no clue as to what the scriptures say.  I have been studying the scriptures for close to forty years and never in all my studies have I ever come across such nonsense in an attempt to use the Bible to defend one's philosophy, except in the case of non-Christian cults.  As well, the Ezzos smell very cultish in their child-rearing philosophy.  I have to denounce it as not "Growing Kids God's Way", but, rather "Growing Kids the Ezzo Way".