Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

it has its unique characteristics.One can get lost at this point in a morass ofpsychological conjecture. I would like to stick to thesimple, yet profound, truths of Scripture. The fact he is aman is significant as a man since God made him that way.His sexual identity builds on that truth. As a man he has amandate to have dominion in the created world, and hiswife shares in that responsibility as his helper. Thistherefore places him in the lead role, not because of hispsychological makeup, but because of God's creation andappointment. In the father role, he assumes the lead as thehead of the household — not as a domineering monarch— but as a man of God, loving in his relationships, as aperson seeing himself in Christ as important. Such a mansees his wife and children as important too, but he doesn'tconfuse the roles.I am becoming more and more impressed with theunconscious influence a man bears on his children whenhe begins to appreciate the role of "ruler" in the universe.How a man goes to work — and why — speaks volumes tohis children. When he sees his calling as important to Godand society, and has beside him an enthusiastic helper, thechildren gain a powerful sense of why they are here. Andall of this stems from being a man and enjoying the role.The other aspect of the masculine image deals withthe matter of reproduction, and assuming the properresponsibility for those children God gives. Having thepotential to bring forth fruit makes a man important, butwhen he recognizes the significance of his own personalityin Christ, his wife becomes more than his source ofamusement. She is someone who has become one withhim. And together they share the joy and stewardship ofparenthood. A father who can accept and love hischildren as persons, or as Charles Schulz once called them"Lil People," has mastered the basic idea. He can besomeone to them, and they are someones to him. Andthey begin to recognize what a relationship to God can belike.I have not attempted to write on some of the dutiesinvolved in being a father, for these often flow naturallyfrom a person who has found himself. The Bible speaks ofa man's obligations to instruct, chasten, play, and workwith his children, and God does not condone his givingthem over to their mother as "her job." But it provesfruitless to discuss these duties until a man has learned theimportance of conducting himself as a person. When thathappens, his fatherhood begins to take on life and color,and the children notice. And in time they begin torecognize how Christ gives that sense of meaning topersonality, and they are drawn to Him. Every fathertherefore conveys an image of a personal God who cares,or an impersonal God who couldn't care less. • • •For Fathers Onlyby Mel Larson, Editor, "Evangelical Beacon "It was a simple, almost casual experience. Funnything, though. I find that God often gets through to mebest in block-buster effect through ordinary little things.From the balcony of our church I got an angle viewof my squirming son as he wiggled his way all over thatchurch pew waiting for the program to start. As I lookedat him, my mind clicked as this thought came:Barring accident,I'll be the only father this boy willever have. So, I'd better be a good one! The only windowto the world he would have in the way of a father. For him,much of life would be seen as he saw it in me and as Itaught him.Familywise—socially—sports—love—financially—his only father. But, most important, spiritually.And I winced inwardly as I researched my soul tosee what kind of a father I had been to the lad entrusted byGod to me. In that quiet moment I concluded for myself—and I pass it on to you—that my son needs me morespiritually than he does any other way.So does your son, or sons.Ephesians 6:4 leaped out at me: "And, ye fathers,provoke not your children to wrath: but bring thern up inthe nurture and admonition of the Lord."My job. Not my wife's job. Who has so much more6time, you know. Your job, dad. Not your wife's.The Christian home in North America will regain itsrightful godly backbone when dad reassumes the place hetoo often has given up—as the spiritual head of the house!It's strange but true, too, that when dad assumes hisBiblical place, everything else falls in place better.Remember, you're the only father your son, or sons,will ever have. So, you'd better be a good one! May it besaid of you as was said of Abraham in Genesis 18:19, "ForI know him, that he will command his children and hishousehold after him, and they shall keep the way of theLord, to do justice and judgment. . .."Pull out your Bible on Father's Day. Gather thefamily around. Read some verses. Ask the children andyour wife what prayer requests they have, then voice themto God as you lift your family heavenward as the spiritualhead of your home. Your congregation needs you.—E. P. News Service• • •"There are no dividends comparable to those paid toparents who invest their lives in the maintenance of aChristian home, and in the careful training of the boys andgirls given into their care. "—Religious Telescope.COVENANTER WITNESS