Our Children's Faithfulness to The Gospel and Paul's Commandment With A Promise Part 3

Obedience Gives Hope To Longevity

Paul’s reference of the fifth commandment in Ephesians 6:3 reflects his belief that obedience to the law brings the blessing of long earthly life and disobedience will shorten life and bring death.  Paul would come to this conclusion by looking back at Moses and the giving of the law, with its blessing and curses, and Moses’ first sermon in Deuteronomy before entering the promise land.

The law was given to teach Israel how to dwell with a holy and righteous God.  God had already saved Israel and redeemed them for himself.  Therefore, the law was not a means of salvation.  Their eternal salvation was one that was given by faith in Yahweh and ultimately His provision of the promised Messiah; namely Christ.

However, the longevity of their temporal life was directly correlated with their obedience to the law.    If Israel obeys the law and keeps Yahweh’s statutes, then He would remove all dangerous animals from the land and no sword would pass through them.  They would pursue their enemies and they would prevail over them.  Yahweh promised to multiply them and make them fruitful (Leviticus 26:6-9).  Israel’s obedience to the law ensured they would receive life and prosperity.

Nevertheless, Moses warns the people that if they did not keep the law that they would be put out of the land and away from the presence of God (Leviticus 26:33).  He also warned in Leviticus 26:16 that if they did not keep the law that Yahweh would bring terror on them— wasting disease and fever that would cause their eyes to fail and their life to ebb away.  To disobey the law was to ensure devastation and death for Israel.

Paul alludes to this in the text in a couple of ways.  First, he leaves out the last phrase, “The Lord God is giving you” tagged at the end of both Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16.  Paul does this because he is universalizing the text to apply to the church.  The land is no longer the place where God dwells.  Through the work of Christ, God dwells in the hearts of men (Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:21-22; 5:18).  Also, the word for land could also be interpreted “earth” which would then make the verse read, “…that you may live long in the earth;” which I believe is a truer reading of the meaning of the text.

Understanding this principle, Paul then applies it to the Ephesian church, specifically to the family context.  His primary target is aimed at the children of the family.  He tells them to obey their parents because the Lord has put them in a position of authority to act as the mediator of his will, and to obey your parents is to obey the Lord.  Your obedience is a mark of your presence with the Lord.  Obeying the Lord always brings the blessing of life.

A secondary target could be towards the parents, particularly the fathers.  The reference to the Exodus 20:12 and its connection to Deuteronomy 6, would send a signal to the scope and depth of instruction that must take place in discipling ones children.  In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Moses presented the people with the scope and sequence of instruction to be given to children.  Fathers were to repeat and teach the law in every aspect of human life.  This principle would easily carry over to the church as well.

Two Final Considerations

There are two things left to deal with in this text.  First, what does Paul mean when he says that it is the first commandment with a promise, and second, is Paul trying to implement the law in this text?   I will deal with these concerns in the order mentioned above.

It could be argued that the second commandment bears a promise in that God offers his faithful love to a thousand generations to those who keep his commandments.  However, this is not so much a promise as it is a description of God’s character.  We see the same kind of description in Exodus 34:6-7, when Yahweh passes before Moses.  Yahweh shows Moses His glory and describes Himself to Moses as a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.^[1]  Yahweh is merely describing who he is as God in the context of the law.

As far as the second concern goes, I do not believe Paul is trying to implement the law in this text.  First of all, early on in the letter he had already stated that Christ made no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed regulations (Ephesians 2:15).  Paul would not want to put up a barrier that has already been torn down by Christ.  Second, the law does serve the church in that it provides many normative principles to the Christian life. Paul uses the law in other places in the New Testament to give the church a normative principle to follow; for example Gal 5:14, “For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Normative principles are morals or values that can be applied to the life of the Christian as a way of manifesting the “good works which God as prepared ahead of time” (Ephesians 2:10).  Because Christ has fulfilled the law and its demands, these principles are not commands expressed in regulations (Ephesians 2:15).

Conclusion

In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul gives a beautiful picture of how the God the Father is bringing all things under the supreme rule of Christ.  Through His Son life is given to sinners, dead in their trespasses, and the Spirit is given to dwell in the hearts of both Jew and Gentile, working to manifest the same kind of love and unity that is found in the Trinitarian relationship.  This unity is not confined to individualism, or the church as a gathered body, but is also seen in the home of every believing family.

Every member of the family testifies of their value of the supreme glory of Christ by their obedience to the Father and to one another.  Children are not exempt from this.  Children are not to be left on the periphery of the gospel, but are to be trained and brought up in the instruction of the Lord;  in hope that they will enjoy God’s presence in Christ, and not only enjoy the blessing of long life on earth, but in eternity as well.  The only way children can do this is if their parents are faithful in teaching them the glorious things of Yahweh and His Son Jesus Christ.  Therefore, it is vital that both parents and children cooperate with each other in the discipleship process so that they will be able to adequately testify of the supreme value and glory of Yahweh.    

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[1] Obrien, Peter T. The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to The Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999.

Our Children's Faithfulness to The Gospel and Paul's Commandment With A Promise Part 2

The Torah: Holy Expectations and Paul's Understanding of Exodus 20:12

In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that he was going to make him into a great nation, with a great name, and through him all of the nations will be blessed.  In Genesis 15, God solidifies this promise with a unilateral covenant with Abraham.  In the midst of that promise God tells Abraham that his offspring will be foreigners in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years.  Then God will judge that nation and they will leave with many possessions (Genesis 15:13-14).

Exodus one affirms this promise and explains how it was partially fulfilled.  The Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, and multiplied and became extremely numerous so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7).  The remainder of the chapter shows their enslavement and harsh conditions do to the Egyptians fear of Israel joining their enemies in war.  The following chapters explain how God miraculously delivers Israel from the hands of Pharaoh and provides for His people despite their unfaithfulness.  

Moses receives the Torah from Yahweh (Exodus 20)  instructing the people in how to dwell with God in the land He is going to give them.  It is here we find the reference Paul uses in Ephesians 6:3 to Exodus 20:12; “Honor your father and mother so that you may have long life in the land your Lord God is giving you.”

In the context of Exodus we see the faithfulness of Yahweh keeping his covenant promise to Abraham (Gen 15).  God desires to tabernacle with his people and live among them.  In order to continue the covenant the people must learn how to dwell with Yahweh.  In His mercy, Yahweh gives Israel the Torah.  The Torah is not a means to salvation, but a means of sustaining a proper relationship with Yahweh.  Just as the people could not break the barrier at Mount Sinai, unless Yahweh’s holiness break out and kill them (19:12-13, 24), Israel must learn the proper way to live with a holy God, lest His anger break out against them and they perish from the land. 

There were stipulations attached to the covenant between God and Israel.  For God to dwell among them Israel must obey the Torah they received.  In doing so, Yahweh promised that He would look on them with favor and give them peace in the land.  Their children would not die from sickness nor will they be threatened by the wild beast.  Israel would overcome their enemies and their bins of grain would never be empty.  Yahweh would be their God and dwell with them in the land (Leviticus 26:1-13).   In short, they would receive the blessing of longevity in earthly life. 

However, if they did not keep the covenant, Yahweh would bring terror and death upon them, and everything that He promised in the positive light would be reversed in horrific proportions (Leviticus 26:14-35).  If they disobeyed, they would be devastated with death and exiled from the land.  This is a major theme with the giving of the Torah; obedience equals life, disobedience equals death.

It is important to mention that the generation the Torah was given would eventually rebel against the Lord and would not be permitted to enter the promise land.  The promise was then given to their children (Numbers 14).  For forty years the old generation would wonder through the wilderness until they all died off (except for Joshua and Caleb).  This judgment highlights the theme of disobedience equaling death. 

The Shema: Teach Our Chidlren Well and The Weight of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 on Paul's Shoulders

Deuteronomy picks up with the new generation about to enter the land promised by Yahweh.  In the first five chapters, Moses gives a brief historical theology and a call to obedience.  Throughout these chapters Moses continuously calls the people to possess the land, keep the Torah, and teach it to their children.  Deuteronomy 6:1-9, emphasizes all three of these in what is known as the Shema, the Jewish confession of faith.[1]  Here Moses exhorts Israel to keep the law and to teach it to their children, so that they may know the Lord and not forget who gave them the land.  By faithfully passing the Torah on to the next generation, the land and its blessing of life, will be preserved for future generations.

When we look at Paul’s reference to Exodus 20:12 in Ephesians 6:3, we must also keep in mind Deuteronomy 5-6.  There are three reasons for this.  To begin with, in Deuteronomy 5:16, Moses reiterates the Decalogue and cites the commandment to honor your father and mother.  He is citing Exodus 20:12.  Paul’s wording of the commandment textually matches both Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 almost verbatim.  The only difference is that Paul leaves out the phrase “Lord God is giving you.”  This would make sense considering the different audiences who are hearing the reference.  Moses was speaking to the generation who was about to enter the land and dwell with God.  Paul was speaking to those whom God already dwells in through Jesus Christ.  This textual clue points to both Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16.

 Second, both Testaments carry the theme of teaching children the things of God.  In the Old Testament, parents, particularly fathers, were instructed to teach the Torah and the works of God to their children.  Genesis 18:19, tells us that the Lord commanded Abraham to teach his children to keep the way of the Lord.  This is highlighted in Isaac’s understanding of the proper practices of worship in Genesis 22:7-8.  In Deuteronomy 4:9 and 11:18, Moses exhorts the Israel to make known the things of God to their children lest they forget what Yahweh has done.  Asaph, in Psalm 78:4, says that “they will not hide the glorious deeds of the Lord from their children, but with the law that was appointed the fathers would teach it to their children.”  Solomon devoted most of the book of Proverbs to instructing his sons about Godly living.  (cf. Joshua 4:22; Proverbs 3:1-4; 4:1-4; 22:5-6).

This theme picks up in the New Testament as well.   In the gospels, Christ rebuked the disciples from hindering children being brought to Him, and instead said “Let the children come to me for to such belong the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:13-16; Matthew 19:13-14; Luke 18:15-16)  Timothy is commended by Paul as one who knew the scriptures as a child (2 Timothy 3:14-15) , which implies that he was taught them by his grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5).  The theme of instructing children in the New Testament lands most directly on Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Paul recognizes this theme and applies it in the Ephesians context.  This is further seen in the echo of Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your children,” in Ephesians 6:4, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Finally, building off the second point, with the significance of the parent-child relationship being so important in the Old Testament[2], and the significance of maintaining that relationship through the purity of the faith being passed down from generation to generation (Deuteronomy 6:4-25), Paul could have felt the weight of this imagery and would have had it in mind as he was speaking to the parents and the children in the Ephesian church.  Consider for a moment Yahweh’s relationship to Israel in the Father-son context.

  

Out of Egypt Yahweh called his son, Israel, to keep His commands (Hosea 11:1) and worship Him alone. The fathers of Israel neglected to teach their sons the Torah, and as a result, the nation as a whole became a prodigal son.   They intermarried with the Canaanites of the land, intertwining the worship of Baal, becoming wicked with every generation.   They failed to keep the purity of the faith for future generations.  Israel failed to model what Yahweh modeled for them.  As the Father gave the Torah to His son (Israel), the fathers were expected to give the Torah to their sons (Psalm 78:5), so that those sons would grow up to be fathers and faithfully pass it on to their sons. 

Paul, being a Hebrew of Hebrews (Philippians 3:5-6), would have understood this significance and could have had it in mind as he wrote the book of Ephesians.  The purity of the faith is handed down from parents to children.  The family is a divine institution that was designed to naturally fulfill this process.  Therefore, Paul commands that parents and children cooperate with each other in the giving and receiving of the discipline and instruction of the Lord

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[1] Archaeological Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervon, 2005.

[2] Peter O’Brien points out in his commentary on the book of Ephesians that this imagery is so significant that it is applied to the relationship between Yahweh and his people (Deuteronomy 1:31; 8:2-5; Proverbs 3:11-12)

Our Children's Faithfulness to The Gospel and Paul's Commandment With a Promise-Part 1

Yahweh created the institution of the family, one man and one woman in a monogamous covenantal commitment to each other for the duration of their life, for the glory and fame of his name.  After creating Adam and Eve in His image, He gave them dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:27) and commanded that they be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:28).  It is at this point the family dynamic changed from merely expressing Yahweh’s glory to actively advancing His glory in all the earth.  Unlike their parents, Cain and Abel are introduced into the family by natural means and are in need of knowledge of their Creator; and so it will be for the rest of humanity.  From this point forward, children are to be brought up in the fear of the Lord so that when they become adults they will give Yahweh glory and teach their children to do the same. 

Yahweh has expressed in His word a method by which He desires the spiritual rearing of children in the family to be observed; namely that parents and children are to cooperate with each other in their suited roles in testifying to His supreme value and glory.

It is my contention that when Paul addresses the Ephesian church, specifically fathers and their children, that he is highlighting this cooperation giving instructions for both parents and children.  Paul speaks directly to the discipleship process of parents teaching their children the glorious works of Yahweh, and the child’s role in receiving that instruction and testifying to it in the world.  The child's obedience to their parents and the Lord's instruction is a mark of their commitment to the gospel, and shows they are in a rightful position to receive the blessing Paul pronounces in Ephesians 6:3, " that you may live long in the land."  I further contend that this blessing refers to the possibility to longevity on earth rather than actual inheritance.  Paul roots his instruction and blessing in the Torah and the sermon Moses gives to Israel just before Joshua leads them in inhabiting the promise land (Deuteronomy 1-6).

Original Context and Meaning of the Ephesians 6:1-4

Broad Context of the Book of Ephesians

Since the fall of man, there has existed a tension in his heart.  Man was created in God’s image with a will to obey his creator and enjoy life.  Sin entered the world through disobedience and broke the fellowship and unity with God and creation and brought death. 

The book of Ephesians is a revelation of the great mystery of how Yahweh is bringing a fragmented and alienated world, both things in heaven and on earth, together in the Messiah.  Christ is the centerpiece of Yahweh’s divine purpose in restoring everything that was lost and broken at the fall of man, and placing it under the supreme rule of Christ (1:9-10).  With the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at Yahweh’s right hand (1:20), Yahweh is going to not only raise sinners who are dead in their trespasses to life (2:1), but is also going to unify a bitterly divided people into one holy family (3:21).

Paul has structured the book of Ephesians in a way where he spends the first three chapters explaining how Yahweh accomplishes reconciling the world and uniting humanity in Christ (1-3).  He spends the remaining three chapters showing what it looks like to live reconciled and unified in Christ (4-6).

Obedience: A Divine Distinguishing Mark

Unity in the family is just as essential and God glorifying as it is in the church.  In 5:22-6:4, Paul explains how Spirit filled husbands and wives and children are to glorify God.  Wives are to submit to the husbands as to the Lord (5:22).  Husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies and how Christ loved the church (5:25, 28).  Children are to obey their parents in the Lord giving them the honor that is due to them (6:1-3).  Paul ends this section with an exhortation to the fathers to properly bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord; not recklessly with malice or neglect, but with intention and gentleness (6:4).  The family is to live out the Christian ethic before the world so that God will be glorified not only in the church, but also in Christ to all generations forever and ever (3:21).  In short, the family is to cooperate with each other in their suited roles in testifying to Yahweh’s supreme value and glory.

In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul explains how parents and children are to cooperate with each other in their suited roles in testifying to Yahweh’s supreme value and glory.  He gives two imperative commands to both children and fathers.  Children are to obey and honor their parents (6:1-3), while fathers are to not exasperate their children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.  In a general sense, these imperatives speak to the discipleship of children in the home.  Paul is speaking to believing parents and exhorting them to teach and instruct their children in sound theology; particularly of the law and how Christ fulfills that law (2:15-16).  The parents, predominantly fathers (6:4), are to take the lead role in discipling their children. 

Paul gives specific instructions in how this is to go about in the home. The father is not to parorgizete ta tekna umwn, or to provoke his child to anger.  The father is not to rear his children in such a manner that is demoralizing.  This involves using attitudes, words, and actions which would drive the child to angry exasperation or resentment.[3]   Parents must use discernment and care in disciplining the child and setting reasonable expectations, not subjecting the child to humiliation or misplaced shame. 

On the positive side, parents are to consistently bring up their children in the training and instructing of the Lord.  Paul uses the present active imperative of ektrefw (to nourish, to rear, to bring up) with the nouns paidea (training, discipline) and nouqesia (admonition, warning) to command fathers to continuously and intentionally live and teach the things of God before their children.  Fathers are to take every opportunity to teach the full scope and sequence of the law and how Christ fulfills the law to their children.  The father is also to correct transgressions of the law with the intent to point the child to Christ.

The children are not to be just hears of the word, but also doers of the word as well (James 1:22).   Just as the parents take an initiative to instruct, the children are to take an initiative to obey and honor their parents as they would to the Lord (6:1).  The obedience Paul speaks of here is upakoute, a term typically used to describe absolute obedience to Christ (Mark 1:27, 4:41; Romans 10:16; Philippians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:14).   Paul seems to imply that to honor your parents is to honor Yahweh Himself; “as to the Lord.”

At this point it might be well to note the echo of Leviticus 19:3 in this text; “Every one of you shall revere his mother and father.”  As Moses is reiterating the Decalogue to the people of Israel, he is reminding them that a proper response of genuine love for Yahweh is to keep his commands (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In short, they are to be holy for Yahweh is holy (Lev 19:2).  Obeying your parents was to be a divine distinguishing mark of Yahweh’s people.  Keeping this command also helped assure them that they would dwell with God in the land enjoying long life and prosperity (Lev 18:5, 24-30; 26).

 Parents are the chosen instrument of the Lord to arbitrate His will to the family.  Peter O’ Brien points out that “within the Ten Commandments, and even within the Pentateuch, the command to honor ones parents has pride of place among the ‘horizontal’ commandments.  It provides a hinge between the first four commandments to do with God’s holiness and the remaining commandments in that the parents to be honored stand in the place of God and mediate his will to the entire household.  Obedience to ones parents is mandated, to disobey your parents is tantamount to disrespect for Yahweh.  It is put on par with treason and idol-worship (Exodus 21:15, 17; Lev 19:3; 20:9; Deut 21:18-21; 27:16).[4]

The same idea seems to be intended here with Paul.  A child who honors and obeys his parents, in the Ephesians context, signifies their commitment ‘in the Lord.’  This is an example of submission that arises out of Godly fear (5:21), and this submission is a distinguishing mark of those who are filled by God’s Spirit (5:18).[5]   In other words, a defining mark of a child who is receiving the instruction of their parents and believing it unto faith is obedience to their parents.  Their obedience shows that they have life.

Paul further supports this instruction with a reference to Exodus 20:12 in Ephesians 6:2-3; “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.”  Moses spoke of this when he gave the commandments at Mount Sinai and before Israel entered the promise land.  As they entered the land, Yahweh gave them the Torah and cautioned that if they kept the Law that it would go well with them and they would live long in the land and if they did not obey they would perish.  Paul is using this reference in Ephesians 6:3 to inform the children that their obedience to their parents is connected to their longevity on earth.

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[1]Kostenberger, Andres J. The Cradle, The Cross, And The Crown. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2009.

[2]Jr., James Hamilton. God's Glory In Salvation Through Judgment. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010.

[3] Cleon L Rogers Jr., Cleon L. Rogers III. The New Linguistric and Exegetical Key To the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.

[4] Obrien, Peter T. The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to The Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999.

[5] Obrien, Peter T. The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to The Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star How I Wonder Where You Are: Daddy, do kindergartners go to heaven?

Sandy Hook Elementary School

I sat down on my couch around 8:30 pm exhausted from teaching 7th and 8th graders how to live and breathe and have their being in the fundamentals of math, science, history, etc.  I had just dropped off my oldest two children at a school function.  A few of the teachers thought it would be fun to have a Christmas pajama party for K-5th graders; making cookies and crafts and watching Polar Express.  I did not give it a second thought.  That is, until I opened my lap-top and read the headline, "20 children Massacred in School Shooting."

I read the article and found that in Newton, Connecticut  a twenty year old man shot his mother multiple times and then went to Sandy Hook Elementary School and slaughtered twenty kindergartners and six adults.  Then, in real heroic fashion, he turned the gun on himself, leaving a wake of terror, grief, and calamity across the nation.

This hit close to home.  I am an educator.  I interact with children like these everyday.  I have four children of my own, all who are around the same age.  At this point in our lives most of our friends have children this age.  This could have easily been us.  We could be wrestling with everything that comes when evil burst forth in creation attacking God's image in man (Genesis 1:27); which is what murder does in any case.  It just seems more heinous when it happens to children.

I resisted the urge to leave immediately and get my children.  Instead, I opted to talk to Stacy about it.  Eventually, I had to pick them up and eventually they would hear about what happened.  As their father, it is my responsibility to give them direction and a framework to deal with their feelings and to help foster their faith in Christ when they encounter evil and tragedy.

Innocence Gives Way To Brokenness

It was providential that we somewhat dealt with this a few weeks ago when we miscarried our child.  I gave them six truths from Psalm 139 about God in times of trials and tribulation (Monkeys and Miscarriages:  Daddy, why is mommy not having a baby any more?).  I decided to revisit these truths again and discuss them with the children over the weekend.

By the following night, my children had learned most of the details on the school shooting via the radio.  As usual  we read our bible and said our bedtime prayers.  I was intentional in praying for the Sandy Hook families.  After I was done, my oldest daughter asked a revealing question...one I was not fully prepared to answer; "Daddy, do kindergartners go to heaven?"

It was a totally appropriate question for her because she is only three grades removed from kindergarten. She has a common connection with these children.  She has siblings the same age as some of those who were slain.  She passes children like that in the hallway all the time.  In some ways, she can put a face to the victims, maybe she even pictured herself as one.  Maybe, what she was really asking was, "Would I go to heaven if I died right now?"

Talk about heart breaking.  I was struck back for a moment.  My daughter is contemplating her own death.  A part of her innocence has given way to the reality of our brokenness and mortality (Genesis 3:14-17).  She is moving away from her youthful naivety, into a more mature understanding of the consequence of sin, the certainty of death, and the hope we have in Christ.  The sting of the death of those children in Connecticut was radiating in the heart of my daughter, and she was looking for something to take it away.  After sixty seconds of contemplation, I gave her an answer.  But before I get to that, I want to share a few positions on the matter.  I briefly thought of these three perspectives as I was trying to put together a response to Naomi's question.

Baptism and Saving Grace: A Catholic Perspective

Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose Lime Catholic Church of Newton, CT offered comfort to his community by saying, "There are twenty brighter stars in the heavens."  He is of course insinuating that the children are in heaven looking down on us.  The Roman Catholic Church holds that children need to be baptized by a priest because it is a means of God's grace for salvation.  The act of baptism causes regeneration.  The church bestows saving grace on people and it needs to be administered to all.  Ludwig Ott says quite pointedly, "Baptism by water...is, since the promulgation of the gospel, necessary for all men without exception for salvation (pg 356 "Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma").  According to this perspective, since the child received regeneration via the church through baptism, he or she would be safe in the arms of Christ if he/she died.  Moreover,  if a child is not baptized, traditionally speaking, the child is in limbo and is dependent on the mercy of God. (To see more on this you can read The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized)  The "bright stars" comment is vague enough to capture the essence of the doctrine.

In contrast to this view, scripture clearly says that salvation is by faith alone.  "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not of your own doing, it is a free gift of God- not because of your works, unless any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8).   Paul explains that the free gift is eternal life in Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).  Moreover, baptism is taught as an act after one receives the word of God in faith. Acts 2:41, says that "those who received his word were baptized."  The implication here is that they trusted in Christ and then were baptized.  When Phillip preached the gospel  in Samaria, "they believed the good news about the kingdom of God and in the name of the Lord Jesus they were baptized" (Acts 8:12).  Also consider Acts 10:44-46; 47-48; Acts 16:14-15; 16:32-33; 1 Corinthians 1:16.  In regards to limbo, the bible does not speak of such a place.

Age of Accountability:  A Southern Comfort 

Dr. Lemke at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, in an article in the SBC Today "Distinctive Baptist Beliefs  Nine Marks that Separate Baptist From Presbyterians", said that the age of accountability is a distinctive Baptist belief.    He goes on to explain that the age of accountability reflects the child's ability to make moral decisions.  At this age, or "state of being" as Lemke notes, the child becomes aware of his/her sinfulness and the consequences of remaining in an unregenerative state.  There is no specific age.  Southern Baptist recognize that each child matures at a different age and therefore it is left for the church and parents to discern if the child understands.

There is some biblical justification for God regenerating infants.  John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Luke 1:15).  In a similar example, David says, "Since my mother bore me you have been my God" (Psalm 22:10).  Though this is not the usual way for God to save people, it does seem to imply that He can bring regeneration to an infant.

John Piper has argued that Romans 1:19-20 offers hope to parents who have lost a baby.  Romans 1:19-20 says that God and His attributes have been made known to mankind through creation, and those who can perceive creation are without excuse.  Since a child, particularly a baby, cannot perceive nature, sin, grace, holiness, and the such, they have an excuse.  Any person who does not have the mental ability to comprehend God's attributes in creation would fall into this category as well.

I am sympathetic to this perspective.  However, I see several hurdles to overcome.  First, the bible is clear about the inherited universal sinfulness of mankind and God's judgement on sinners (Psalm 14:3; Psalm 143:2; 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9 Romans 3:9-10; Romans 3:23; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8-10). We are all born in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:1) and in need of redemption (Ephesians 2:3-8).  Second,  The bible does teach that babies are sinners in need of regeneration.  David said he was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin his mother conceived him (Psalm 51:5).  In Psalm 58:3, it says that the wicked go astray from the womb, they error from their birth.  Though the two examples mentioned above do show God regenerating an infant, the bible clearly shows that this is the exception not the rule.  Finally, the age of accountability is subjective.  The bible does not give any clear direction or indication of when a child reaches an age of understanding.  And frankly, in America, it seems that the age of accountability does not really apply to any Evangelical's child.  They kind of get there by default.

It Is By Grace You Are Saved...Not Your Perceived Innocence

Finally, I think it is worth mentioning that hell is not a popular subject in America these days.  We live in a culture that holds onto a veneer of Christianity; nice and shiny on the outside, but hard as wood on the inside.  Or better yet, American Christianity is like a buffet, we pick and choose the things we like about Christ and reject the rest.  Hell is definitely a dish that is rarely, if ever, served.  The reason for this is because we have rejected the notion of sin, especially personal sin against a righteous God.  In our culture hell is not a reality because sin is not a reality.  It might be well to note a correlation of our current societal morality and how our society struggles to call what happened at Sandy Hook an act of evil.

It would seem hard for anyone in America, maybe including myself,  to fathom God sending a child to hell.  This would  be and indictment against our understanding of God's justice and righteousness.  For Him to do so would affirm that all are sinners regardless of age, or race, or citizenship, or perceived innocence, and that salvation is by His saving grace alone.

Sovereign Hands of God

After about sixty seconds I gave Naomi an answer.  I reminded her that God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and rich in faithful love and truth to a thousand generations; forgiving wrong doing, rebellion, and sin...(Exodus 34:7).  I also explained that God is sovereign over every life that has existed and ever will exist (Psalm 139:10-17), and there is no place that I would want you or any child than in the faithful, all-knowing, omnipotent hands of our sovereign God.  Though I do not know what happens to a child when they die, I do know that God does and I trust that He knows they have perished and will do what is right and perfect.

After I was done, Naomi simply said, "Yes sir."  Her eyes gazed at the floor for a moment before she rolled onto her back.  I stood there for a second contemplating if my answer was sufficient for her.  I wanted to add more to what I said, but at that point I would have just rambled.  I have to trust the Lord that the answer will do for now.

I have to admit, when I look up at the night sky I am reminded of Monsignor Weiss's words.  And I can see where a parent would find comfort in believing that their child is looking down on them while sitting in the lap of God.  On the other hand, when I look at the stars in the sky I am reminded of the God spoke every star into existence.  He is not left wondering where they are...He put them exactly in their place and knows them all by name.

Miscarriages & Monkies: Why is mommy not having a baby anymore daddy?

I woke up Saturday morning to children harassing each other over Frosted Mini Wheat Cereal and Dora the Explorer.  It was a typical Saturday morning except for the fact that the night before we were told by an ER doctor that we had lost our baby.  Stacy was approximately eleven weeks pregnant.  She began showing a little bleeding mid Friday afternoon.  That evening the doctor did a cervix exam and ordered an ultra sound and blood-work.  Her cervix checked out fine but her ultra sound was a different story.

We had gone to the seminary doctor five weeks prior and were given the opportunity to see the baby's heart beating.  It was amazing.  When I saw the heart of my child beating on the screen it almost seemed as if my heart raced to keep up with it.  I was flooded with excitement, pride, love, hope, joy, and every other emotion that comes with being an expectant father.  You would think after four children you would get use to it.  I remember being so astonished at the work of God in creating life.

Needless to say, the second ultra sound did not prove to be as inviting.  As I mentioned before, I have four children.  I have seen several ultrasounds.  I am no expert by any means but I know what a heart beat looks like, and I did not see one.  I looked anxiously at the screen to see if I could make out anything, all the while keeping a straight face so not to invite fear in Stacy.  She could not see the ultrasound and was trying to read my face for a verdict.  With a bit of panic she asked me what I saw.  Truthfully, the only thing I could tell her was that I was not sure.  I had a hunch, though.

The doctor came in about an hour later.  He told us that Stacy's hormone levels were not where they should be for being eleven weeks pregnant.  The size of the baby was only eight weeks and there was no sign of a heart beat.  Considering that fact that we saw a heart beat at six weeks the doctor concluded that the baby had stopped developing and was dead.  Being that the baby was only eight weeks in size, Stacy's body would more than likely take care of things naturally (Unfortunately, this did not happen.  I will have to post another blog to explain it.).  Again, another phenomenal testimony of the complexity and sufficiency of human beings created in God's image, but an experience I would wish on no one.  There is something tragically surreal about having to flush down the toilet the remains of a child you'd hoped to love and raise up in the Lord.

What makes this more disheartening is that we made a big deal about being pregnant to our children.  We loaded the clan into the mini-van and went to Build-a-Bear.  All of the children were given a stuffed monkey when they were babies. Stacy and I thought it would be cool to tell the children about the baby by making a stuffed monkey and seeing if they could guess why we would need another one.  To make it even better, we took a picture of all the children sitting on a bench in sequential order holding their monkey and their birth number; Naomi was one, Ethan was two, Abigail was three, Abram was four, and the monkey was five.  It was a remarkable picture.  We posted it on Facebook to let everyone know we were expecting.  Oddly enough, the monkey and the picture serve as reminder of a baby that will not come.

I laid in bed for a few moments thinking about how I was going to lead my family through this experience.  I settled on making a big breakfast; pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, etc, and discussing it with them at the table.  We do most of our family discussions at the table.  I rounded everyone for breakfast, said the blessing, and started with normal cordial conversation.  With a small prayer, I jumped in and asked for everyone's attention.  I glanced at my plate for a second, putting my thoughts and words in order, looked into the eyes of my children, and told them that mommy was no longer having a baby. The chitter-chatter that comes with small children at the breakfast table stopped.  Stacy and Naomi were visibly upset.  Ethan put his head down to think about what I had just said, and Abram just, well, kept on being Abram.  As far as he was concerned, his food was getting cold and he had a trike calling his name after breakfast.

Abigail threw us a curve ball.  With her head down, she pushed herself back from the table and walked upstairs to her room.  We could hear her crying.  Not very loud, just a touch of whimpering.  After a few moments she came back down stairs and sat in her mommy's lap and asked about the monkey.  "What are we going to do with the monkey mommy?" she asked quietly.  Stacy and I asked the same question.  What do you do with a sentimental gift that was meant someone who we will never meet?  We did not have an immediate answer.   She looked at me and asked, "Why is mommy not having a baby?"  Here is the million dollar question; and knowing Abigail, she was looking for a million dollar answer.

There are are two truths that umbrella this question.  First, God is in the heavens and He does what He pleases (Psalm 115:3).  That is, the universe is under His sovereign control and is guided by his all-knowing, absolute, uncompromising power.  God is the sole owner of everything in this universe (Psalm 50:7-15).  There is not a star in the universe that He does not call by name (Isaiah 40:26).  The sun obediently rises and sets at His command (Jeremiah 31:35).  The seasons come and go at His bidding (Genesis 8:22).  Kings and presidents are built up and torn down at His good pleasure (Daniel 2:21-22). He is the giver and taker of all life (Psalm 139:14-17; Job 1:21).

Second, we live in a broken world.  In Genesis 3:14-17, God curses the world for the rebellion of Adam and Eve.  Sin entered the world through their treason and brought death and destruction.  God told Eve that her womb would be broken.  Not only would she experience tremendous pain in child bearing, but death would also wreak havoc on her children; in and out of the womb.  Miscarriages are a part of the fall.

One of my responsibilities as a parent is to give my children a framework that helps them work through life's trials.  I do not have all of the answers.  In many situations, they will not be given a direct answer as to why something happened.  However, God has given us truths about Himself and about the world we live in that helps guide our thinking and comfort our soul in the midst of uncertainty and hurt.  There are six truths about God I gave my children to hold onto when they are troubled with wondering why mommy is not having a baby anymore.  All of them came from Psalm 139.

1.  God is sovereign (Psalm 139:1-6).  The text reminds us that there is not a word on our tongue that God does not know before hand (Psalm 139:4).  He knows our thoughts before we think them (Psalm 139:2).  He encircles around us.  Nothing can happen to us unless God gives His permission (Psalm 139:5).  Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor; for from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things (Romans 11:33-36).

2.  Nothing can escape His presence (Psalm 139:7-12).  There is no place on this earth (in or out of the womb), in this universe, or in heaven or in hell, where God does not say, "Here I am."  God is always aware, attentive, and acting for His glory and our joy.

3.  God creates life (Psalm 139: 13-16).  We all know the science behind how a baby is made.  The bible also makes clear that God is there in the womb creating, knitting, fashioning, a wonderful and remarkable life created in His image (Genesis 1:27).

4.  God numbers our days (Psalm 139:16).  The text tells us that our days are numbered and written in a book.  Some of us will live eighty years on this earth.  Others will perish weeks after conception.  Our baby was allowed to live in the womb approximately eight weeks.  Some would say that eight weeks in a uterus is not much of a life.  I would beg to differ.  My life is forever changed because of this child.  Because of the life of this child I have found a deeper intimacy with God, His church, and my family.  Because of the life of this child people are actively hearing and testifying to the glory and significance of our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because the life of this child some are reading this blog right now and are being encouraged in the gospel.  For only living eight weeks in the womb, the child has done much for the kingdom of God.

5.  God is incomprehensible (Psalm 139:17-18).  God is vast and His thoughts are beyond our finite understanding.  He is eternal. It will take an eternity to scratch the surface of the mystery and complexity of our creator.  Nevertheless, He gives us His name and desires to be known.  He wants to know us and be with us.  His incomprehensibility does not prohibit his intimacy with us.  Even though David cannot understand the intricacies of Yahweh, he stills says, "I am with You." (Psalm 139: 18)

All of that being said, the question for us is not "why" this happened.  We know that part of God's sovereignty entails Him being omniscient.  Our faith is in the fact that He knows why things happen; namely because He ordains them.  The better question for us is, "How are we going to draw closer to God through this trial?  How are we going to be made more like Christ through trials and tribulations?  How will we learn to love our neighbor as our self?  How will we seek to uphold life in our culture?  Even more so, how will we embrace the gospel as Christ as embraced us?"  The answer to these questions will produce more fruit and more faith in our lives, in our church, and in our community than wondering "why."

6.  God is merciful.  Repent and seek the way of everlasting (Psalm 139: 19-24)  All who are born of Adam are sinners.  All of us are hostile to God and refuse to submit to His law (Romans 8:7-8)  We all walk in the flesh carrying out our evil desires. We are by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). However, by His grace He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.  In doing this, He offers a way of reconciliation.  Those who embrace Christ move from being sons and daughters of wrath to sons and daughters of His inheritance (Ephesians 1:1-14).  Anytime we are faced with death we should remember that sin brings death; not only physical death but also eternal separation from our Creator.  It is by God's mercy that we are alive.  It is by His grace that we are hearing his word and have the opportunity to respond and accept his forgiveness.  Therefore, I encourage you to ask God to search you and know your heart.  Test your motives and see if there is something that is sitting on the rightful throne of God in your heart.  Death has a way of giving one strength to crush superficial idols.

With these six truths I hope my children will have a better understanding of the world they live in, the life they are called to, and the God whom they serve.  I cannot promise them that something like this will never happen again.  Actually, I can almost guarantee that more trials are on the horizon.  What I am certain of is that these six truths about God will give them everything they will need for navigating through life's difficulties.  Even more so, it will help them to do it with a heart of thankfulness and hope.  They will know that every ounce of pain will serve the purpose of a good and kind God who is working out His glory and their joy.  It will help them to work through the sadness of a miscarriage, hold onto the monkey in hope, and testify the goodness of King Jesus.

Marriage: Four Things I Have learned in Ten Years of Marriage

Tell Me No Lies and Keep Your Hands to Yourself

Gary Thomas wrote a book called "Sacred Marriage."  He writes the book on the premise that marriage is primarily about your sanctification.  In short he says, "Marriage is more about your holiness than it is about your happiness." I believe this statement is true.  Don't get me wrong, I am happily married and hope to stay that way until the Lord brings me home.  At the same time, I have to tell you after ten years of marriage it has not been all happy.  Stacy and I have had our moments, times of despair, maybe even hopelessness, when we did not know if the levy was going to hold.  We have experienced many of life's tsunami's; debt, disease, depression, death, (which all seem to come in waves of three) and have felt the immense weight they bring with them.   Every time our marriage was on the brink of being crushed to death, I found that death was not the ultimate goal.  A new understanding of our life together intermingled with profound purpose and deeper intimacy; that was the goal.  Anyone who has been married long enough can attest to the old adage of whatever does not kill you makes you stronger.  With that same essence, marriage has taught me that God intends marriage to be at work in making both Stacy and I more like Christ.  Sometimes that is worked out in seasons of joy and happiness.  Many times it is tried in fire and wielded with iron. (Proverbs 27:17)

More Than a Feeling

One of the biggest bubbles I had busted was my over romanticized view of love in marriage.  I grew up in a culture that taught love is a feeling that must be present in order to love someone.  If that feeling is not there, then you must not be in love, and therefore the relationship is finished; regardless of your children or the repercussions on other people’s life.  This is absolutely absurd.  Love is not merely a feeling.  Love is a choice.  It is a commitment.  Love sticks around when the feelings jump ship.  Love tells the self that it is not all about you.  It says, “Get off the computer, bathe the children, and give her a minute to herself;” even though you have had a long day.  Love values “I’m sorry” over “I’m right.”  Love does not need porn for arousal.  Loves thinks it is idiotic to drink from someone else’s drain when you have your own well at home. (Proverbs 5:15-23)  Love tells adultery to "get lost… and if I see you around here again you will be on the business end of butt whooping." (Proverbs 7:6-27)   Love is not bound by the laws of gravity.  It sees the as much beauty in the things that are now down that were once up.   Love actually believes for sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part actually really means for sickness and health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part.   In other words, after ten years of marriage, I have learned that love is more than said or felt, it is done. 

Grow Old with Me

I have come to realize that marriage is a marathon, not a sprint.  A marathon is trying and exhausting.  It takes a great deal of commitment and effort to prepare for and finish the race.  It is definitely not for the faint of heart, and neither is marriage.  After ten years of marriage, God has shown me that Stacy and I have really only just begun to know each other.  Marriage, with all of its complexities, cannot not be fully appreciated in 5-7 years; the going rate of most marriages today.  God intended marriage to a lifelong pursuit of deepening intimacy with Himself and your spouse.  Intimacy with your spouse takes a lifetime to enjoy.  I think it would be cool to cross the finish line of life wearing the crown of a fifty year marriage.  (Proverbs 5:18-19; Malachi 2:14-16; Romans 7:2)
  

It Takes Three To Make A Thing Go Right

Marriage is a one-flesh union, divinely bound by God, between a man and a woman who have committed to keep their covenant love, for God and one another, until separated by death. (Genesis 2:18-25)  Marriage is meant to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church and to testify of His faithfulness.  Marriage is a parable of the way Christ loves His church and how He expects the church to love Him. In this light, I am to love my wife with a Christ like, sacrificial, life-giving kind of love that seeks to present Stacy blameless before the Lord.  Stacy is to honor and affirm my headship with a Christ-centered submission that sees to use her gifts in accordance with my leadership (Ephesians 5:18-25).  In this, the world will see the magnificence of the glory of God and the fidelity of Christ to His church.  This cannot be done with grit and shear determination.  The Lord must be at the core and center of the marriage.

Inter-Generational Relationships: Tending The Vine of Family Discipleship

Inter-generational Relationships and the Church

Inter-generational relationships in the church provide a wonderful context for family discipleship.  Every family whom the Lord brings into the church is at a different stage of their journey.  Some are newly married, just beginning their walk on life's road as a couple.  Other families are either dealing with the terrible two's or the tumultuous teens.  And yet, others are in the golden years enjoying the blessing of grandchildren.  This diversity of generations in the church accentuates the richness of God's design for community.   The book of Titus gives us a glimpse of what this richness looks like.

Paul explains to Titus that there are people in the church who will help lead and guide the body.  Some will be elders and take on vocational shepherding roles.  Others will shepherd as mentors.  It is expected that the older men will help guide the younger men and the older women will do the same for the younger women.  This discipleship formation can range from one on one relationships to older families disciplining younger families as a whole.   The fruit of this is that believers/families will be better equipped to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and will live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while waiting for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12).

Inter-generational Relationships: Tending the Vine

Inter-generational relationships are in some degree like that of the vine and vine dresser.  In order for the vine to grow and produce fruit, it must be cultivated, pruned, and protected.  The vine needs substance and nutrients to grow.  So the vine dresser cultivates the soil and waters as needed.  When fruit is produced there are limbs and branches that must be trimmed for more fruit to grow.  So the vine dresser helps expose what needs to be trimmed and helps in the pruning process.  When the rain falls hard and the winds blow uncontrollably, the vine must be protected.  So the vine dresser does in providing a lattice and a cover.

I know this analogy falls in many areas, but the general idea is helpful.  The vine, being a younger family, is better equipped to survive and thrive when an older family (the vine dresser) comes along side them and intentionally cultivates, prunes, and protects their spiritual vitality.  By God's grace, my family was privileged to be cultivated, pruned, and protected by a vine dresser in our congregation.

Inter-generational Relationships at Franklin Street Church

Last Sunday the Lord blessed my wife and I with a conversation with and older gentleman in our church.  My wife and I were sitting at a table in the fellowship hall when the Sunday School teacher, a man in whom our family is very familiar with, came over and sat down.  This man is level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance (Titus 2:2).  He is a man I admire and respect.  When he told me he wanted to talk to me about something, I gave him my full attention.

The issue he wanted to discuss revolved around how I had handled Ethan during a time of discipline when we were in their home having dinner.  Ethan is a playful little boy, who every now and then, let's his playfulness get the best of him.  This particular time he thought it would be funny to waylay his sister with a ball.  Unfortunately, it hit her in the face causing her to deeply resent her brother, and pursue her own vigilante justice.  Trying to avoid all of that, I called Ethan front and center and asked why he did what he did.  Twice I asked him and twice he shrugged his shoulders.  Frustrated, I put him in timeout for a time, made him ask for forgiveness of his sister, and implored him to play nice.

The man politely complemented Stacy and I on how we manage our children and affirmed us to continue pursuing our children in the Lord.  With that, he humbly asked if he could speak a few words of wisdom into our life; particularly in how we deal with our children in times of discipline.  The older saint had noticed that I asked Ethan why he did what he did twice, and twice he shrugged his shoulders.  This gentleman suggested that instead of asking why, that we should ask him if he knew what he did, and if it was right or wrong.  He explained that we know why he disobeys, or acts foolishly.  Ethan is a sinner just like you and me.   However, Ethan does not have a category for his sinfulness yet.  To help develop his understanding of sin, it might be better to identify what he did, and if it was right or wrong.  If he does not know it is wrong, you have an opportunity to instruct him on the morality of God.  If he knows it is wrong, then you will have the opportunity to teach him the consequences for violating God's righteousness, and the grace available in Christ.

Protected, Pruned, and Cultivated

My wife and I deeply appreciated what this man did for us.  He protected our faith in the gospel by speaking truth into our lives in a loving and humble manner.  He pruned our parenting in helping us cut away something that was not helpful in bringing clarity and understanding to my sons faith.  He cultivated our family, particularly our children, by providing a solution that better presented the gospel in times of direct instruction or discipline.  In short, he and his wife, are a means of God's grace for the health and spiritual growth of my family.

Something To Consider: Courage and Humility, Love and Submission

The beauty of the above example is two fold; the vine was willing to be dressed by the vine dresser, and the vine dresser was willing to nurture the vine.  It took love and courage for the older saint to come to me and tell me that my way of instructing my child needed to be tweaked.  It took love and submission to be able to hear his words and joyfully accept them.

From this experience I have learned that inter-generational relationships are means of God's grace in tending the vine in a families spiritual health and gorwth.  My family is now more in line with the gospel than it was before.  I am using what I was given to provide clarity for my son and his relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I look forward to spending more time with this vine dresser.  I pray that he will help me learn the way of tending the vine as well.

A Past Time Redeemed: How Stacy and I Tried to Teach Our Children Christ Centered Baseball

This last spring our family entered the American sports arena.  Naomi and Ethan were given their first taste of America's favorite past time; baseball.  Ethan and I have been hitting the ball around in the backyard for the last couple of years.  Naomi had just recently shown some interest this last year in wanting to learn how to play the game.  Seeing that both of them had decent hand eye coordination and a good work ethic, Stacy and I decided to put them in a low competitive league.  However, before we did this, we had some stipulations for our family.  We came up with two overarching principles that were going to guide our involvement in sports, followed by three immediate criteria that we would use to evaluate how we redeemed our time at each game or practice.

Maintain Your Center

First, we committed to each other that sports were not going to dominate the nucleus of our family.  Stacy and I have seen first hand how sports centered a family can become; spending three to four nights a week at games and practices and not getting home until after 10pm.  This is not healthy on all kinds of levels.  For starters, in order for a family to maintain this schedule it is going to have to give up something, and more times than not, it is the priority to maintain fellowship with God and His people.  Late nights and weekend tournaments tend to work against family devotions and corporate worship on Sundays.

Redeem Your Time & Presence

Another thing we were committed to was a Christ centered testimony to fellow parents and players.  If we were going to spend several valuable hours of our precious family time to something, it needs to be done in a way that is edifying and worth it.  Anytime you get involved in a sport of any kind, you are making an investment.  You are expecting a return of some kind, whether it is in your child's skill set, social posterity, or even a bit of leisure time.  The return that Stacy and I were looking for is for our family to draw nearer to Christ and to display his worth to the world.  In order for this to happen we needed to have a plan in place to redeem our time and presence on the ball field.

Teaching Our Children Christ in Baseball

This worked itself out in three criteria, in the form of three questions, that I gave the Naomi and Ethan to evaluate every game and practice. First, "did you play to God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)?"  Both of them must have heard me say, "Do everything with a hustle" a hundred times.  I expected them to try their hardest, whether they succeeded or not, at running, catching, hitting, fielding, etc.  I did not mind if they struck out every single time they were at bat, as long as they struck out swinging. 

The second criteria was, "Were you a testimony of God's grace to your coach, teammates, and opponents (Philippians 2:1-11)?"  In short, did you have the mind of Christ when you interacted with everyone you came in contact with while playing baseball?  We expected both of them to play hard and compete to the best of their ability, but we also expected that they do it a manner this is dignified, and that testified that God is more valuable than being the best player on the team or winning the game.

Finally, the last criteria was, "Did you have fun (Philippians 4:4)?"  Many times Christians get a bad reputation for being a bit bland or stoic.  I get that.  The general perception of us Christians from those looking on is that we are bound by a bunch of rules and God has forbidden us to have an ounce of fun in this life.  Ya right!  God has given us a wonderful freedom to truly enjoy His creation and the life He has given us.  Baseball is a gift from God.  He gave us this wonderful creation to not only work but also to play.  The green grass, cool breeze, and perfect baseball playing temperature of 72 degrees on a trim dusk spring evening is part of the blessing of God.  Even the knowledge of the game itself comes from the one whom every good and pleasing thing comes (James 1:17).  Yes, amen, enjoy the game of baseball and have lots of fun fielding grounders, hitting home-runs (or singles), and sliding into second base on a steal (oh the irony!).  Our joy in baseball can also testify of our joy in Christ, as long as we understand from whom the blessing comes.

These questions would be rehearsed before and discussed after each game and practice.  Nothing elaborate, just a brief session while walking to the field or to the car afterwards.  The purpose was to be intentional in exposing the children to God's presence in every aspect of life.

Does All of This Matter?

The stipulations set in place were to help protect the center of our family's theology and our nucleus.  The center of our family's theology is that Christ is our Lord and He takes first place in everything we aim to be and do.  The nucleus of which our family orbits is Christ and His the word.  By protecting our center of theology we protected the nucleus of our family.  By setting our criteria for evaluating our involvement in baseball, we reinforced our center of theology and further strengthened our nucleus.  In essence, we intentionally sought to make much of Christ in our involvement in sports because we see Him as Lord over everything, we want our children to taste and see that He is Lord over everything (Psalm 34:8), and we wanted to make sure that nothing altered His position as Lord over everything in our family.

Sports in America has an unprecedented ability to take over the height and length and breadth of a family.  To stop this from happening, a family needs to put some gurards in place to keep the center from imploding. This is one way in which used to ensure we did not loose sight of our family's center and redeem our time in America's pastime.