Ask the Pastor 157

What is the biblical basis for the family?

In our last article we noted that the family was the foundational institution for a society. Therefore, it behooves us to think biblically about the family. The family was created at the time of creation and the creation of the man and then of the woman. The Adamic covenant was that the man and his wife were to be fruitful and multiply and fill up the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over it (Genesis 1:28). The man was first created and then the woman was created as a help to the man. The two are separate and are different but by bringing them together they compliment one another and become one whole, as a family with their children. This can only be done through the marriage of one man and one woman who produce, raise and nurture their children. Anything else is not biblical and not of God. In the New Testament we have more instructions on how the family unit is to be structured and organized. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head over the wife and of the family. The decisions that are made can and should be made together in this complimentary relationship, but the ultimate responsibility for the decisions of the family before the Lord, is that of the husband. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, which is in a sacrificial and nurturing manner (Ephesians 5:22-33). Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. The question often comes up as to how long do they do that and it is very simple to conclude that they will do so until they leave and create a family unit of their own. However, children are to always honor their father and mother, so that their days may be long (Ephesians 6:1-3). Once a new family unit has been formed the parents no longer have the right to interfere with that family unit, in other words the in-laws need to but out. Disagreements are to be handled according to the Scriptures within the Church. To have such a family unit, one must be a believer and be obedient to the Word of God.

Have questions about the Bible? Send them to Dr. Greg Koehn at gak4850@gmail.com and read the answer here in this article.