Episode 72: The church as a family
Download MP3Hang around Christian congregations long enough, and sooner or later you’ll probably hear people refer to the church as a “family.” That’s a biblical way to think, of course; believers are brothers and sisters under one heavenly Father. But we need to take care, because the word “family” itself carries with it a lot of cultural and emotional baggage. John takes us back to basics: to believe that Jesus is the Christ is to be born of God the Father, and we should therefore love our siblings (1 John 5:1)—even when it isn’t easy.
Hang around Christian congregations long enough, and sooner or later you’ll probably hear people refer to the church as a “family.” That’s a biblical way to think, of course; believers are brothers and sisters under one heavenly Father. But we need to take care, because the word “family” itself carries with it a lot of cultural and emotional baggage. John takes us back to basics: to believe that Jesus is the Christ is to be born of God the Father, and we should therefore love our siblings (1 John 5:1)—even when it isn’t easy.
