Read on Twitter
So here’s the thing.
1. Framing children as (almost) weapons in a ‘culture war’ is unhelpful, insensitive, and runs all sorts of risks in downplaying the importance of the church as primary family and gospel proclamation as means to that family’s growth https://twitter.com/mhlillicrap/status/1273676694176612354">https://twitter.com/mhlillicr...
1. Framing children as (almost) weapons in a ‘culture war’ is unhelpful, insensitive, and runs all sorts of risks in downplaying the importance of the church as primary family and gospel proclamation as means to that family’s growth https://twitter.com/mhlillicrap/status/1273676694176612354">https://twitter.com/mhlillicr...
2. The NT reality is that ‘baptismal water is thicker than biological blood’
Surprising as it may seem now, my wife and I deeply know the pain of subfertility (which affects 1 in 7 couples at least) and the need for such couples to know their place among Christ’s loved people
Surprising as it may seem now, my wife and I deeply know the pain of subfertility (which affects 1 in 7 couples at least) and the need for such couples to know their place among Christ’s loved people
3. Alongside the many pointing out the problems for childless couples and single people with over-emphasising the nuclear family, I’m also concerned for those who have had to leave family for Christ.
4. The church as primary family is vital to our walk on the road carrying our cross to the glory beyond.
Jesus points to the mothers, brothers, sisters, and children we are given along the way as spurring us on as we follow him (Mark 10)
Jesus points to the mothers, brothers, sisters, and children we are given along the way as spurring us on as we follow him (Mark 10)
5. In many ways we have imbibed a nuclear-family-centric view of church which has become disconnected from the community ethics of the NT view of church, let alone the OT view of God’s people in community
6. BUT (here we go...)
We are *also* (in my opinion) at risk of accepting from the world a very low view of children and parenting
We are *also* (in my opinion) at risk of accepting from the world a very low view of children and parenting
7. The overwhelming reaction we get as we wonder about as a family of 8 is:
the stare, followed by the silent head nod, and the almost-but-not-quite imperceptible shake of the head.
Sometimes with eye-roll
the stare, followed by the silent head nod, and the almost-but-not-quite imperceptible shake of the head.
Sometimes with eye-roll
8. The thing is, that’s happens in churches too.
The only difference is that Christians usually follow it up with a comment too (usually ‘in jest’)
“Wow. You have your hands full.”
Implication: children are a burden
The only difference is that Christians usually follow it up with a comment too (usually ‘in jest’)
“Wow. You have your hands full.”
Implication: children are a burden
9. “Did you mean to have so many children?”
And my personal favourite: “did it take you a while to figure out how this works?”
The fact that my wife and I are both ex-medics also provides the conclusion “guess you skipped those lectures then?”
And my personal favourite: “did it take you a while to figure out how this works?”
The fact that my wife and I are both ex-medics also provides the conclusion “guess you skipped those lectures then?”
10. After our 6th pregnancy was public we were genuinely offered a TV by 5 different Christian friends or family. Apparently unironically.
(I am aware this is hilarious!)
(I am aware this is hilarious!)
11. Often these comments come fully in the hearing of my children, who are inevitably left suspecting they might be a problem.
One of mine recently asked ‘Dad, does having so many children mean there’s lots of things you can’t do?’
One of mine recently asked ‘Dad, does having so many children mean there’s lots of things you can’t do?’
11. Our society overwhelmingly sees children as a commodity, perhaps a luxury, and often a barrier to *proper* fruitfulness.
As a church we need to be careful to reject that view of both children and human ‘fruitfulness’
As a church we need to be careful to reject that view of both children and human ‘fruitfulness’
12. So it seems to me that we may be in danger of simultaneously losing sight of the NT understanding of church community, AND the very biblical idea that children are a good gift to be stewarded with care
I’m praying our responses to one another will uphold both realities.
I’m praying our responses to one another will uphold both realities.
