Their error is to assume that good character is inherited. They will cite the good character of grandparents and great-grandparents, the good environment and schooling, and they assume some freakish circumstance to be responsible. They are environmental, not Christian, in their analysis. As Christians, we do not believe that we are the primary source of character in our children. If we assume that we are, we are playing God.
Character is a religious product.
It can and must be supplemented by family, church, and school, but without the Lord it does not exist. This means that public schools and many churches are off base. His condition was cowardice, not character. Education is important, but modern man too often substitutes education for Christ and the Faith. As a result, we see cultural decay on all sides.