Thursday, July 07, 2005
Be Fruitful - The Great
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The same qualities which endear me to Above Rubies, a creative, passionate, inspiring celebration of motherhood and a dynamic vision for family, are also present in Be Fruitful and Multiply. It is for these rare and precious attributes that I endure and largely ignore the legalistic and fundamentalist tendencies I will discuss in the following post. I believe every leader and teacher has their little niche of "error". We cannot read only those with whom we agree with completely, lest we either read no one or become disciples of so-and-so instead of Christ.
God is not a poor God He is indeed a limitless God of abundance. He is an awesome God. Campbell gives an inspiring vision of the house full of much loved children as a living reflection of God's heavenly home, overflowing with the beloved redeemed. Nancy gives a rare and refreshing picture of the heart of God, which does not consider whether it is possible or practical to receive another little one unto Himself, but a heart which flings wide open the doors, and sends servants out into the streets to gather those in need. The Bible is indeed full of metaphors of abundance, increase and prolific fruitfulness, many of which Nancy explores in relation to a mother's heart for her children. She lists 26 passages to remind us that children are given as a blessing and a gift.
Reflecting on Psalm 127:5 ("Happy is the man who has his quiver full") Campbell writes,
Godly children bring much joy to a marriage. The older you get and the more you mature, the more you realize that every other "thing" we strive after in life is fleeting and will pass away. (71)
How quickly we are sidetracked by daily life or temporal aspirations from investing in the eternal souls which have come to dwell right in our very own hearts and homes! Besides personal and eternal joy, Campbell reminds us that each child is given for many other purposes; to be a unique gift to the world, to expand the kingdom, to honor, help, protect and care for parents when they are older as well as for the delight of God Himself. In refreshing relief from the fear-based parenting I believe we so easily slip into, Campbell describes children raised to be warriors for Christ. Her vision is full of faith and confidence in the might of the Lord. Campbell quotes 1 Chron 26:32 "Men of valor . . . for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king." and writes, "Wow! What a vision! There is nothing greater that you could do in the whole of the universe than raise children like this - young men and women who are singled out by God, cleansed, purified, proved and polished!"
In a culture that is psycho-analyzed to death and filled with more knowledge than ever of all the terrible things that could possibly happen to you and your children, I find courage, faith and conviction such as I have witnessed thus far in the Campbell family to be a rare commodity among parents, including myself. I might offer the pretense of these things, but the inner reality is thus far feeble at best! I believe children pick up so much more on our true attitudes than we realize. I greatly value Nancy's passionate call for mothers to become women of unwavering hope and faith in Christ, women who work with passion and joy to impart that faith to their children. It is this call that inspired the title of my blog and it is a call I need to hear every day.
I most enjoy Campbell's writing and ministry because of her and her daughter's constant reminder that motherhood is not a 20-30 year life sentence to chores and duties, but an incredible priviledge, opportunity and a most incredible venue for creativity, community, and intimacy. Commenting on 1 Tim. 5:9-14, she imagines a woman who "firstly embraced her motherhood. This was her number one career. It was her top priority in life. . . Nurturing and nourishing children was her greatest delight and she embraced it with joy.. We notice that her mother heart was even bigger than her immediate family. Her nurturing heart reached out into the community. She was a nourisher of all who needed her care. She looked beyond her own needs to reach out to the needs of others. She opened her home in hospitality. She ministered to the needy. No task was too lowly to help someone in need She walked in the fullness of motherhood . . ." (110-111). Campbell's works always expand the vision of family outside the walls of the home to draw in and include the alien, the widow, the orphan and those in need. Although one might think that those with large families are less likely than other Christians to adopt, to care for the needy, etc . . . I find the exact opposite to be true, and it is a testimony to the faith which compels them to open their lives and homes to whomever God would give them.
Lastly, I greatly appreciate Campbell's chapter on God's provision for his children. Is the missionary to fret over the financial stupidity of his endeavor? No, he is to trust God for his provision. If a couple feels called as their mission and ministry to bear or adopt many children, ought they to turn away from their call because of the financial stupidity of their endeavor? No. Campbell rightly challenges Christian couples to truly be children of Abraham who "When He heard the word of the Lord, he obeyed. It was simple obedience. But it took faith to obey that word. He did not know where he was going. He had to leave his home and comforts. But he put his trust in God and obeyed. That's the simple faith we are called to walk in." Although I do not agree with Campbell that "Be fruitful and multiply" is a command to be obeyed, yet each of us are given personal challenges of faithful obedience to Christ that will wrestle us away from our own financial self-sufficiency and teach us to rely on the Lord's provision. I am always struck with sadness when the only reason a couple avoids conception is because of financial concern (and usually that concern among the people I encounter is practically non-existent, of the "I need to have their college fund saved up first" kind). The Lord will help provide for the children He gives. Nancy reminds us of Psalm 37:25, Nehemiah 9:19-21, Matt. 6:25-34 and Phil. 4:19 as she relates many inspiring tales of God's incredible and faithful provision. She quotes Rev. Moses Browne, "who had twelve children, 'Sir, you have as many children as Jacob.' He replied, 'Yes and I have Jacob's God to provide for them.'"
In relation to God's provision, Campbell cites Romans 14:23, "Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." This verse will provide the interpretive hinge for my discussion of the areas in which I am convinced that Campbell has veered into legalism. To begin the critique of this book, read "Be Fruitful - The Bad".
God is not a poor God He is indeed a limitless God of abundance. He is an awesome God. Campbell gives an inspiring vision of the house full of much loved children as a living reflection of God's heavenly home, overflowing with the beloved redeemed. Nancy gives a rare and refreshing picture of the heart of God, which does not consider whether it is possible or practical to receive another little one unto Himself, but a heart which flings wide open the doors, and sends servants out into the streets to gather those in need. The Bible is indeed full of metaphors of abundance, increase and prolific fruitfulness, many of which Nancy explores in relation to a mother's heart for her children. She lists 26 passages to remind us that children are given as a blessing and a gift.
Reflecting on Psalm 127:5 ("Happy is the man who has his quiver full") Campbell writes,
Godly children bring much joy to a marriage. The older you get and the more you mature, the more you realize that every other "thing" we strive after in life is fleeting and will pass away. (71)
How quickly we are sidetracked by daily life or temporal aspirations from investing in the eternal souls which have come to dwell right in our very own hearts and homes! Besides personal and eternal joy, Campbell reminds us that each child is given for many other purposes; to be a unique gift to the world, to expand the kingdom, to honor, help, protect and care for parents when they are older as well as for the delight of God Himself. In refreshing relief from the fear-based parenting I believe we so easily slip into, Campbell describes children raised to be warriors for Christ. Her vision is full of faith and confidence in the might of the Lord. Campbell quotes 1 Chron 26:32 "Men of valor . . . for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king." and writes, "Wow! What a vision! There is nothing greater that you could do in the whole of the universe than raise children like this - young men and women who are singled out by God, cleansed, purified, proved and polished!"
In a culture that is psycho-analyzed to death and filled with more knowledge than ever of all the terrible things that could possibly happen to you and your children, I find courage, faith and conviction such as I have witnessed thus far in the Campbell family to be a rare commodity among parents, including myself. I might offer the pretense of these things, but the inner reality is thus far feeble at best! I believe children pick up so much more on our true attitudes than we realize. I greatly value Nancy's passionate call for mothers to become women of unwavering hope and faith in Christ, women who work with passion and joy to impart that faith to their children. It is this call that inspired the title of my blog and it is a call I need to hear every day.
I most enjoy Campbell's writing and ministry because of her and her daughter's constant reminder that motherhood is not a 20-30 year life sentence to chores and duties, but an incredible priviledge, opportunity and a most incredible venue for creativity, community, and intimacy. Commenting on 1 Tim. 5:9-14, she imagines a woman who "firstly embraced her motherhood. This was her number one career. It was her top priority in life. . . Nurturing and nourishing children was her greatest delight and she embraced it with joy.. We notice that her mother heart was even bigger than her immediate family. Her nurturing heart reached out into the community. She was a nourisher of all who needed her care. She looked beyond her own needs to reach out to the needs of others. She opened her home in hospitality. She ministered to the needy. No task was too lowly to help someone in need She walked in the fullness of motherhood . . ." (110-111). Campbell's works always expand the vision of family outside the walls of the home to draw in and include the alien, the widow, the orphan and those in need. Although one might think that those with large families are less likely than other Christians to adopt, to care for the needy, etc . . . I find the exact opposite to be true, and it is a testimony to the faith which compels them to open their lives and homes to whomever God would give them.
Lastly, I greatly appreciate Campbell's chapter on God's provision for his children. Is the missionary to fret over the financial stupidity of his endeavor? No, he is to trust God for his provision. If a couple feels called as their mission and ministry to bear or adopt many children, ought they to turn away from their call because of the financial stupidity of their endeavor? No. Campbell rightly challenges Christian couples to truly be children of Abraham who "When He heard the word of the Lord, he obeyed. It was simple obedience. But it took faith to obey that word. He did not know where he was going. He had to leave his home and comforts. But he put his trust in God and obeyed. That's the simple faith we are called to walk in." Although I do not agree with Campbell that "Be fruitful and multiply" is a command to be obeyed, yet each of us are given personal challenges of faithful obedience to Christ that will wrestle us away from our own financial self-sufficiency and teach us to rely on the Lord's provision. I am always struck with sadness when the only reason a couple avoids conception is because of financial concern (and usually that concern among the people I encounter is practically non-existent, of the "I need to have their college fund saved up first" kind). The Lord will help provide for the children He gives. Nancy reminds us of Psalm 37:25, Nehemiah 9:19-21, Matt. 6:25-34 and Phil. 4:19 as she relates many inspiring tales of God's incredible and faithful provision. She quotes Rev. Moses Browne, "who had twelve children, 'Sir, you have as many children as Jacob.' He replied, 'Yes and I have Jacob's God to provide for them.'"
In relation to God's provision, Campbell cites Romans 14:23, "Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." This verse will provide the interpretive hinge for my discussion of the areas in which I am convinced that Campbell has veered into legalism. To begin the critique of this book, read "Be Fruitful - The Bad".
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