Churchplanting Network, Acts 29, has published a new article I authored on a Christian response to the city called “Hate the City, Love the City.”
Love the City, Hate the City is an article that attempts to confront, rework, and redeem our generally bad or non-existent theology of the city. There are enough Christians that think the city is bad, bad city. “Hate the city” is their stance towards their habitat. Some stand on Scripture for this approach. This was mine for a while.
Yesterday I was asked what it’s like to be a father for the second time. Although it’s a bit soon to make any hard and fast conclusions, the first thing that came out of my mouth was: “It’s not as exciting but it’s just as special.” The edge of first round fears were worn off with our first child, Owen, though with Ellie there has always been a concern for saftey and health. The excitement of the unknown was also demystified with Owen, but Ellie is beautiful and awe-inspiring in her own right.
What has remained the same is a sense of desperation, the need for superhuman help to father these two dazzling Dodson imago Deis. How will I maintain the loving tension of strength/discipline with mercy/affection in raising not one, but two eternal souls? Then there’s the weight of providing for my family’s physical and emotional needs, dividing and focusing attention and resources among all the family members.
The gravity of the moment has driven me into prayer, begging God for superhuman help–grace–to lead, love, and serve my family well. This morning I was struck by a similar theme in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 17 there is a man who throws himself to his knees at the feet of Jesus to beg for his son’s life. Apparently his son was given to convulsions, tossing himself into fires, and the disciples could not cast out the demon behind the activity. Jesus spoke a word and the boy was immediately healed. Why couldn’t the disciples help this father and son? They lacked the faith of the father. This redemption required knee-time, fasting and praying. The father, not the disciples, embodied humble dependence.
In chapter 18, Jesus calls the disciples to humble dependence again. This time he calls a child to himself as an object lesson for participation in the kingdom of heaven. The lesson was prompted by pride: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The path to greatness is easily lost when one encounters toe-stubbing obstacles. In fact, the dependence of children is the model for kingdom participation and despising children the motorway to hell. Humble dependence is the means to faithful fathering.
God is described as father at least three times after this object lesson. Stringing these references together, Jesus’ teaching reveals a Father who loves, forgives and helps those who draw near to him in humble dependence. Becoming a Dad for the second time is about me as much as it is about my kids. As the authors of Becoming A Dad write: “Fatherhood is so much more than changing diapers or making a living. Being a dad has more to do with bravely facing the deep questions of your soul than mastering the mechanics of babycare.” The authors argue that true fatherhood requires facing the questions of our hearts such as: Am I needed? Can I love my wife and children well? Am I prepared to father? Will my past hinder my fathering? In response, they chart the course for thier wisdom-weighted work stating: “The outcome of a man who is engaged with his heart is a man who is postured to love his wife well, to pour into his children, to care for the people in his world, and to worship his God.”
This posture, this heart exploration, will require humility before an all-seeing Father and confidence in his love and acceptance. In short, humble dependence is the path to becoming a godly father. Lord, help me.
