Misunderstood Bible Verse: "Train Up a Child . . ."

          One of the children's Bible songs of my early years was based on the popular verse, Proverbs 22:6, which reads (from the New King James Version):


          "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

          But this proverb is often wrongfully interpreted as absolute logic and/or a theological promise, putting a lot of pressure on Christian parents. The song is introduced on the recording, saying (paraphrased), "If you learn about God, while you're still young, you'll never grow away from it." I've seen this verse framed in calligraphy with the overarching title, "God's promise to parents." Again, this puts a lot of pressure on parents. After all, if a child grows up and "departs" from the faith, it is wholly the fault of the parents, because they simply must not have properly "trained up" their child. Other factors (e.g. the inherent depravity of humanity) are no excuse.
          However, here's a bold (but true) statement: proverbs are not absolute truths. A good example is Proverbs 26:4-5, which reads:

          "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."

          So, do we answer the hypothetical fool or not? We can't make absolutes of either verse, because proverbs are nuggets of wisdom, not absolute theological promises. Wisdom in poetic literature is a different genre than law, prophecy, narrative, etc. and should be read accordingly. As D.A. Carson once said, "They're proverbs, for goodness sake!"
          When one reads Proverbs 22:6, it isn't God promising that effort (no matter how strenuous) in "training up a child" will always prevent said child from ever "departing" from the faith. I'm sure we can all think of people who had very good "training" in their childhood, yet still "departed," and we analyze the "departure" by, first, doubting the "training." A proper reading of Proverbs doesn't justify that. Some kids just grow up and "depart," regardless of how faithful and godly their parents are.
          I know this verse hits close to home. Myself included, as a father of three. But a proverb is wisdom, not a promise. We're to follow said wisdom (which includes fearing the Lord). Proverbs 22:6 isn't an endorsement or discouragement to any specific type of parenting method. It's a wise guideline to parents that also reminds them never to forget the sovereignty of God. That's where our trust and loyalty belong, not to any form of tradition, legalism or parenting method.