biblical families
The latest version of the theological journal of the Churches of Christ Theological College, reo, concerns life stages and journeys and includes an article by Maureen Savage on constructing family values. I thought it would be interesting to reflect on some of her thoughts:
Much has been written concerning the structure and roles of Christian families. Unfortunately much of this literature has been the province of fundamentalist groups and recent references to a return to family values by the popular press spring from these sources. A brief perusal of the internet shows a plethora of sites discussing such issues as discipline in the family, the headship of the house, divorce and sexuality. Such sites say very little on the values and ethics that might be the basis for family life and pay no attention to current sociological theories or acknowledge modern societal structures. All of these pronouncements are considered by their authors to be scripturally based. A central feature of much of this literature is the attempt to base the family on what the Bible says.
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There is no mention in the Bible of the tightly inward looking nuclear family centred on its own interests, needs and members that appears to be the model for so many fundamentalists and politicians. Rather Jesus called his followers to leave family (Matthew 4:18ff) and renounces his mother and brothers and claims his disciples as family (Mark 3:31ff). The members of the New Testament church were often shunned by their blood families and were turned out of the religious family of the Jewish temple. They formed new community families centred on their belief in Jesus as the Christ. The Apostle Paul expresses the belief that it is better to remain unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:25–39), but this must be read in the light of the early churches belief in the immanent return of the Messiah.
I am pretty sure she meant “imminent” in that last sentence. We always thought it was kind of weird that a quasi-religious political party would call themselves Family First, as Jesus was pretty rough on families.