Creation Family Ministries

Several years ago, my pastor asked me if I had a message on the subject of children. At that time, having served a few years in ministry to young people, I had to tell him that I did not have such a message. His question motivated me to study what God said about children.

I once read a story of a man who punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he was angry when the child decorated a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought it to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier reaction, but his anger flared once again when he saw that the box was empty. He yelled, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside?" The little girl looked up at him with tears and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box, all for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl and he begged her forgiveness. The father kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each parent (and leader) has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love from our children. There is no more precious possession that anyone could hold.

Similarly, each day in the life of a child is like an empty box in which to place truth as the child grows and learns. Parents and each adult along the pathway of life has a sober responsibility to implant seeds of truth into the fertile heart of a child. As young people in America and around the world are negatively impacted by rampant evils such as immorality, infidelity, dishonesty, sensuality, homosexuality, murder, and many more, they begin to think that these sins are a normal and acceptable part of life. Even news programs have become shows which base their stories on ratings, and by doing so, they often glorify evil. With such wrongdoing exemplified and glorified in the lives of national, political, or even spiritual leaders, it is no wonder that young people follow the bad examples they see. Add to this the violence that youth see or hear in media or entertainment, coupled with rampant drugs and pornography, and one can clearly see why disaster repeats itself in society as a whole, beginning with young people.

All men have broken the laws of their Creator (Romans 3:23). However, an increase in violent crimes among young people over the past twenty or thirty years causes one to wonder, "Why?" For many years, young people have been taught a "goo-to-you-by-way-of-the-zoo" belief called "evolution" as a fact of science by (supposedly) unbiased scientists. This teaching that humans came from animals causes a drastic change in one's view of himself. Never before in the history of mankind has this "molecules-to-man" idea been so taught or believed on such a widespread scale. What would be the natural result of this teaching? Animalistic, amoral (without morality) beliefs and behavior among young people who see themselves as a highly evolved animal.

What do the Scriptures teach about children? First, we will examine different words in Scripture that are translated "child" and the ages these words represent:

Brephos [pronounced, BREE - fahs]
Age: 0 - 7 days
Luke 2:21 "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes…"
2 Timothy 3:15 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures…"
Meaning: infant, baby

Paidion [pronounced, pie - DEE - ahn]
Age: 8 days - 12 years
Luke 2:21 "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS…"
Luke 2:40 "And the child grew, and waxed strong … and the grace of God was upon him."
Meaning: Very young child, infant

Pais [pronounced, pahees]
Age: 12 years - manhood

Luke 2:42-43

"And when he (Jesus) was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem… And when they had fulfilled the days…the child Jesus tarried behind…"
Meaning: Child, boy, youth, servant

We have looked at New Testament words used for children and youth. Next, let us examine how Jesus views young people.

Mark 10:14 "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, suffer the little children [paidion] to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

If we are to follow the example of Christ, we must suffer (allow) children…

to LOOK to Jesus,
to LEAN on Jesus,
to LEARN from Jesus, and
to LIVE for Jesus.

Suffer the Children to look to Jesus:
Jesus was Committed to Conserve the Family

Mark 10:9 "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder…"

It was just after Jesus dealt with the subject of marriage that "they brought young children unto him." Contrary to human opinion, the design of God for marriage does not include divorce. God's Word clearly states that two become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24) in marriage and that God hates divorce (or "putting away").

Malachi 2:16 "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away…"

This verse means exactly what it says-that God hates divorce. This does not mean that some divorces are "okay" while others are not. To say that God hates divorce but that not all divorces are wrong is to pit human opinion against the design of God. Divorce is a sin against God just like any other sin. It contradicts His design for marriage just like polygamy, beastiality, incest, homosexuality or other sexual sins which violate the design of God for the home and for human sexuality. However, His hatred of divorce does not mean that He hates individuals who sin through divorcing or those who are affected by divorce.

The parallel passage to Mark 10 is Matthew 19 which includes the common "exception clause" (vs. 9).

Matthew 19:9 "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

This clause has often been misused to justify divorce in certain instances that involve "fornication," depending on how this word is defined. However, the immediate context of Matthew 19 and the broader context of the Book of Matthew reveals that God's design for marriage at creation was not altered by Christ in Matthew 19. When one compares Scripture with Scripture (e.g. Galatians 4:30), he must give careful consideration to the immediate context in which a book or passage was written. In Jewish culture, engagement was considered just as binding as marriage is today, even before a man and a woman "came together" as husband and wife. Consider these points:

1. If Jesus were making an allowance for divorce, the response of the disciples (v. 10) is a clue. By saying, "…it is not good to marry," the disciples were unnecessarily and illogically "throwing the baby out with the bath water." In essence, they were saying, "If this is true, marriage isn't good!" However, God declares that marriage is good and that it is not good for man to be alone (Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 2:18). Having upheld the "one flesh" standard of Genesis (Matthew 19:3-8), Jesus' statements seemed much more stringent than what the disciples had known. Rather than responding with a, "Whew-at least there's one escape," they rashly discounted marriage altogether! If Jesus were making an exception for divorce, the disciples' response would not fit the context. In addition, Jesus' answer to them dealt with eunuchs or those who were permanently single.

Matthew 19:11-12

"But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake."

Once again, if Jesus were making an allowance for divorce, the subject of permanent singleness would not fit the context. But if He were upholding the permanency of marriage, the subject of permanent singleness would fit.

2. When Jesus spoke of "fornication" [porneo, the Greek word from which the word pornography is derived], He did not use the word that specifically meant marital infidelity, or adultery. Rather, He employed a term that refers to all kinds of immorality, particularly those sins outside of marriage. This would include homosexuality, incest, or even beastiality. Still today, "fornication" refers to sexual immorality before (outside of) marriage, while "adultery" takes place within marriage. In other places where "fornication" is used (Jude 1:7; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Romans 1:29; John 8:41), the word clearly refers to relationships that are outside of God's design for marriage. Scripture does not use "fornication" to refer to sexual immorality within the husband/wife relationship. Concerning the breaking of one's marriage vows, God always utilized a specific term: "adultery" [Greek, moichao]. The "exception clause" was not referring to marriage as we know it but to the Jewish betrothal period that legally was as binding as marriage. In modern American culture, the closest thing we have to betrothal is "engagement."

3. "Fornication" was used to refer to the sin of incest (I Corinthians 5:1), a practice outside of marriage that is clearly prohibited by God (Leviticus 18).

4. In the broader context of Matthew, God chose to record the statement of the angel Gabriel to Joseph: "…fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife…" (1: 20). This phrase shows that Mary was his wife even before they "came together" (Matthew 1:18). Since the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as "King of the Jews," his writing bears marks that can best be understood within the context of Jewish thought and culture. Thus, with Jewish thinking in view, Matthew 19:9 clearly refers to sexual sin during the Jewish betrothal period.

Those who seek to justify divorce in certain cases (possibly through a misconception or a misapplication of Matthew 19:9), promote not only "situation ethics" (a view that uses circumstances to determine truth), but also allow for the ruination of a family unit. Those who hold to this position do so without clear doctrinal basis. The Church is the Bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2, 9) and He will never divorce His "bride" (John 10:27-29; Jeremiah 3:14). In short, an "allowance" is a question mark where God put a "period" ("I hate divorce")!

While there exist multitudes of books written by man on this subject, the Word of God is clear:

1. God designed marriage for one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24).
2. In marriage, two become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5).
3. Marriage is a picture Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25).
4. God hates "putting away" (Malachi 2:16).

Any view that removes or neglects these foundational truths concerning marriage is a view that is contrary to the design of God. The misapplication of Scripture through a supposed "allowance" opens the door for reasoning that is contrary to the design of God and leads to an increase of a particular sin which God hates. If one accepts an allowance for divorce due to "fornication" (i.e., marital unfaithfulness), then he must ask himself, "Who decides when there has been enough unfaithfulness to justify divorce?" Jesus Himself said that if a man looks in lust at another woman, he has committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:28). If adultery is an "allowance," one must also accept that divorce is just and right before God when secretive lust has surfaced within a marriage. But this is not the case. Also, if God is called our "Heavenly Father," it is reasonable to conclude that divorce negatively affects a child's concept of God as a Faithful Father.

Now the GOOD NEWS!

Since God hates divorce, it is a sin; and as sin, it can be forgiven, cleansed, and overcome through the power of Christ!

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

"Confess" means "to say the same thing" or to agree with God. Before healing can take place after divorce, one must see this sin as God sees it. One must agree with God about divorce in order to begin a life of forgiveness, cleansing, and power over the devastating results of divorce. The Gospel message begins with the bad news that all are sinners (Romans 3:23). The bad news must be believed before the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection can be received. Likewise, one must accept that divorce is wrong before he or she can truly overcome its consequences.

Why deal with marriage and an 'exception clause' in an article concerning young people? Divorce ruins the foundation upon which a child's life is built, and teens realize this fact. In April of 2007, I read an update from Gary Bauer that included a poll which listed "family breakdown”as the primary concern among young people. This survey was conducted by New America Media, and asked 601 youths (most of whom were from California) questions about their goals and concerns in life. Twenty-four percent of those who responded chose “family breakdown” as their biggest concern. The survey also found that 90 percent of youths (who were interviewed by cell phone) said it was very likely or somewhat likely that they would “be married or have a life partner at some time” in their lives. Adults must be careful to not pass on to their children a wrong view of marriage and family. The view of God concerning marriage is that it is a life-long committment. A wrong view of marriage furthur removes from society the one-flesh standard that God communicated in Genesis. Howevcr, Satan has many tools to destroy young people in their foundational and formative years, and the"exception clause" is just one of those tools which places man in charge of marriage rather than God. This "clause" is analogous to a "Ye shall be as gods..." which Satan used with Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan seeks to destroy the concept of Who God is, and he negatively affects human ability to formulate strong family bonds which form the backbone of churches. Truthfully, there is not enough room in one article to cover all of the areas of life which divorce affects. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3) If we fortify the foundation of a child, we strengthen his entire life!

Evolutionists' Concern for Your Child
In recent years, there has been a growing effort by evolutionists to have a greater impact upon the religious sector of America. They are seeking churches of all affiliations to celebrate an "Evolution Sunday" in February to commemorate and promote the life and work of Charles Darwin, the man credited with proliferating the "theory" of evolution. In addition, they have formed "The Clergy Project" to encourage ministers of any faith to sign a letter affirming evolution as a "foundational scientific truth" and a "core component of human knowledge." These efforts, and more, reveal that those who proclaim Darwinian evolution are not content to remain in institutions of "higher learning," writing articles and producing documentaries or entertainment media for the purpose of indoctrinating the general public. They now seek to undermine the major hindrance to their goals: religion. Through influencing religious leaders, they can impact more people for their cause. They even believe that creationists transmit "ignorance" to children. In part, the "Clergy Project" letter states:

"To reject this truth [i.e., evolution] or to treat it as 'one theory among others' is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children."

Evolutionists are concerned that creationists not transmit the "scientific ignorance" of creationism to their children. This concern mirrors the plan that God long ago communicated to Israel through Moses:

Deuteronomy 6:7 "…teach them [God's words / commands] diligently unto thy children…"

In order to impact the next generation for Christ, believers must begin just as God began His Word, with an emphasis upon His handiwork (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3). They also must diligently emphasize creationism to the young:

Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…"

Since God made everything, He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). This fact establishes in the hearts and minds of young people the realization that God is in charge of life and of every aspect of it. In a culture permeated with evolution and humanism (the thinking that is based upon evolution), Christians must give their young people solid answers for truth and against lies.