Why pastors tend at times to gray prematurely.....
It is sometimes easy to lose perspective - particularly when in the pursuit or promotion of one's own ideas and understanding. Hence the confusion frequently attendant that which some allege Scripture to affirm. For example:
We were once advised by a totally serious parishioner that Scripture sanctions the cohabitation of unwed couples so long as they eventually marry. In support of his assertion he then quoted from I Corinthians 7:28: "If you marry, you have not sinned." If ever need existed for demonstrating the perils of Scripture removed from context, this had to qualify as a prime example.
There is, of course, no end to distortions of this nature. Thus the persuasion of many during the height of the "wealth and prosperity" teaching that by "leaving one's house, wife, parents, children or farms for my sake and for the Gospel's sake" (Matt. 19:16-24; Mark 10:29,30; Luke 18:29,30) one became entitled to a hundred fold increase. Predictably, this phenomenal return was often avowed and emphasized in association with appeals for financial support in relation to various ministries and endeavors.
In focusing primarily upon financial or material remuneration, the fact that Jesus had included brothers, sisters, parents, wives and children in the resultant enlargement was typically ignored. While personally doubtful as to the interest of many in acquiring another hundred or more children (depending on the number left behind), we did at times tend to wonder as to the appeal an additional hundred wives might have held for some! Well, anyway.....
The whole of Jesus' pronouncement was in answer to that which had taken place immediately prior. Having dealt with a man so driven by materialistic concerns and ambition as to preclude his forsaking all to follow Christ, our Lord had subsequently observed, "How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God."
At this point Peter drew Jesus' attention to the fact that, in contrast to the preceding individual, "We have left everything and followed you. What therefore shall we have?" It was then that Jesus addressed the theme of multiplied family and resources.
What was the meaning of Christ's pronouncement? Simply that a family relationship so exists within the community of faith that should one's commitment to Christ and divine cause cost him everything in terms of family relationships and temporal well being, he will be neither alone nor impoverished. As a member of the "family of God" (to quote the well known song), he will rather have gained that body's love, acceptance, concern and sense of familial identity - a hundred times over.
One final illustration in relation to context and intent: Lest our frequently exaggerated view of early Christian maturity and perceptiveness indicate a need for for at least minimal readjustment (the New Testament epistles should themselves clarify much at this point), we would here focus upon one prominent individual from the early Church era. The eminent scholar and theologian Origen became so taken with Jesus' metaphoric allusion to those having foregone marriage "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" as having "made eunuchs of themselves" (Matt. 19:12), that he personally castrated himself.
Simply stated, context and underlying intent will explain many things in Scripture and in so doing contribute much to one's avoidance of confusion or, as Origen later came to recognize - at least with regard to his self inflicted mutilation - profound regret.
Burl Ratzsch
