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 God
made man, and woman. That is just about as basic as a study can
get. And the next most basic step is, "Therefore shall a
man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his
wife, and they shall be one flesh" (Gen. 2:21-25). Jesus
adds, "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). The home is the most basic
element in society.
We
do not refer to mere biological procreation. Artificial
insemination, state supervised harems, or temporary
relationships may suffice for this. But in a home former
ties and individual aspirations are second in importance to the
preservation of this permanent unit. Its roles of trainer,
protector and stabilizer far outweigh that of procreator. Women
Libers, socialized governments and current morals may minimize
its importance, but revelation and historical evidence cry out
against their error.
The
"first division" of the Ten Commandments has to do
with God. He is ONE, SPIRIT, HOLY, and the God of DELIVERANCE.
But the "second division" has to do with man, and
begins with the fifth command: "Honor thy father and thy
mother..." The sixth command protects LIFE, and the
seventh protects the sanctity of the HOME: Thou shalt not commit
adultery" (Ex. 20:1). Further reference to the inviolable
nature of the home is found in the last command: "Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, wife, etc." Paul
pictures Christ's love for His people in terms of the home, not
as a "party" loyalty (Eph. 5:23-f); for we are the
"family" of God (3:14-f).
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Reader's
Digest (Mar. 78, p.111 quotes Michael Novak, Harper's Magazine,
as saying, "The family is the critical center of social
force. It is a seedbed of economic skills and attitudes toward
work. It is a stronger agency of educational success than the
school and a stronger teacher of the religious imagination than
the church. Political and social planning in a wise social order
begins with the axiom: What strengthens the family
strengthens society."
What
Novak calls "religious imagination" I would call
"faith;" but I would have to agree that the role of
the home is greater in this field than is "the church"
— for I assume he refers to collective activity, in a
"church building," under institutional guidance. Many
people, including many brethren, have never learned that God's
family (the "church") also acts distributively, as
saints function in domestic, economic and civic affairs. It is
absurd to think that Bible classes and an hour or so of formal
"worship" can have a greater influence upon society
than can a truly "Christian" home.
And
I'm going to say this if it cancels half our readers. By
"Christian home" I do NOT refer to one that simply
transfers formal worship or "class" activities from
the church building into "daily devotionals," puts
"God Is Love" on the wall, and formally expresses
"thanks" for the food. These worthwhile endeavors may
even have an adverse effect upon our children unless they are
coupled with a genuine atmosphere of fairness, understanding,
love and faith in God.
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