Issues Facing Families Today
Justin Taylor references an enlightening and inciteful quote by Andreas Kostenberger on marriage and the issues that marriages and families are facing today. Certainly these sorts of symptomatic problems and issues are best dealt with by digging deep into the core and heart of what is really going on.
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:53 pm
“Clearly, it is not for lack of good intentions that Christian marriages fail. Nor is it lack of Christian resources. These are aplenty. What is lacking is the right kind of resources, plus the recognition that marriage and family are at the heart a divine institution that is the target of intense spiritual warfare. For this reason good intentions or superficial remedies are not good enough. Rather, people must once again be taught God’s plan for marriage and the family, and they must commit themselves to live out this teaching as part of their Christian discipleship and as an expression of their witness to Christ in this world.”
I agree that the issue is (as always) is a lack of a true Godly knowledge. What I think is misleading if nothing else, is that there is somehow a lack of the right kind of resources. God has never once failed to provide for those who are His. During times when teaching was not readily found God was able to minister to his people and teach them. While we cannot know for sure, Joseph was most likely without strong Biblical teaching for a good period of time and yet his character did not seem to falter.
nick.
May 22nd, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Nick,
Good point. Makes me think of 2 Peter 1:2-3
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
I think the author would probably agree with you and I understood his point to be that there is a frightening lack of biblical teaching and understanding when it comes to marriage and family issues (as you noted). I do think many churches and most “Christian” literature are feeding people the wrong kind of resources when it comes to these issues. In God’s wisdom and sovereignty He does allow these sorts of resources to be the main diet even for some sincere and well-meaning beleivers. This does not however negate His faithfulness to growing them over time and to glorifying Himself by conforming them to the image of Christ.
Good stuff to think through. Thanks Nick,
Tim