Council Community Church
Pastor's Corner
A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY? (Part I) 1-14-06
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there lived a creature that had no real-life use for real-life children. His arrogant egocentricity prevented him from having much contact with kids at all; they did not serve any purpose in his program of self-focus and self-promotion. The one record we have of his interaction with a youth runs as follows: “A child’s ball struck the philosopher’s leg. He flew into a rage and pursued the child with his cane.”
Compare this with another event: “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’…And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-14, 16)
Meanwhile, back in that other galaxy, that mean creature fathered (I use the term VERY loosely) five children. He did not marry the children’s mother, nor would he share her attention with babies – even his own babies. So, even though he had access to ample resources to care for these children, he disposed of all five at the local orphanage. This was a virtual death-sentence for the infants, since statistics from that institution during that period show that only 5 out of every 100 babies left there survived to adulthood.
Thankfully, this is nothing like the One I belong to: “Sing to God, sing praise to His name…A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing…” (Psalm 68:4-6a)
As the years passed, the ornery alien even developed a philosophy which justified the sacrifice of his children upon the altar of his selfishness. He actually managed to make his actions seem virtuous. What he had done to his babies was for the best of the children (he said), because what was best for ALL children was to be raised by the State (government). This alien began promoting the State as the father (patrie), with all of its citizens as children of the paternal orphanage.
Yeah, that’s the ticket! The government is Daddy, and all of its citizens are children to be trained and directed as the government sees fit. In fact, the best thing that can happen to children is to be taken and trained (indoctrinated) by the all-knowing governmental entity. And all of this from one who never studied children or liked children, and who in fact sent his own offspring to a death-camp. How laughable that he would ever think that he could impact others’ thinking regarding the raising/educating of children!
But make no mistake – this guy’s ideas heavily impact our thinking in the United States of the 21st century. Long, long ago was the 18th century, the galaxy far, far away was of course France, and the individual under scrutiny was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. And unfortunately his twisted justification for his own inhumanity has become the basis of current communist/socialist thinking (via Karl Marx) as well as much popular educational theory.
I don’t know about you, but the State/government isn’t my father. Neither is it my boys’ father. Nor is it our mother, great-uncle, or even 3rd cousin twice removed. We have a far more worthy Father: “…but you received the Spirit of sonship (lit. “adoption”). And by him we cry, ‘Abba (“daddy”), Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15b-16)
Think about the ways in which government has invaded the God-ordained structure of family and childrearing, and be very concerned. We will continue on this path next week, but we will get much closer to home. In the meantime, be grateful for your REAL Father.
