Something CS Lewis said about Nausicaa and her family in the Odyssey is that a family like that is the real definition of civilization. They are found in every age and in every age they are surrounded by barbarians.
Game of Thrones is a multi-volume expression of hate for families of that type.
Nowadays I think it is necessary to have (available) a metaphysical-level explanation as to why families are primary, and how they relate to divine creation (including non-human creation) - otherwise it seems like an arbitrary assertion, or else an expedient means to some other end.
It's interesting how I hear the phrase or idea of "other ways of being a family," or the "many new forms of family" everywhere, even in some churches. That seems to breed endless confusion, and almost make it seem old-fashioned to have a standard family with a mother, father, children, etc.
@J - " "other ways of being a family" - "friends will replace family" etc. Easy to say - and it's been said assertively and confidently for decades. Yet it just doesn't work, there is no replacement to be had - as we may see from personal experience and observation.
15 August 2022 at 14:42
ben said...
Maybe pre-mortal life would have more implications than I've seen thought through. If people existed *eternally* pre-mortally, then this would surely very much affect how they live in this world, despite passing through a veil of forgetfulness. Pursuits of an individual in this world might have to do with what they were doing pre-mortally. There would have been a 'second nature' acquired.
Love of family members and maybe even true friends could be carried over from pre-mortal life. With this understanding, it wouldn't be only a similar nature and spending a long time *in this world* with someone that would be contributing to love. Coming to love someone here would be a sort of remembering.
16 August 2022 at 05:23
What is the primary form of social organization for a Christian society? Certainly not 'democracy' nor a republic - but neither a monarchy, nor a theocracy. Not rule-of-law. Not arbitrary rule by a dictator. Indeed not anything 'organized' or imposed or abstract. Instead a Christian society should be organized by the prime Christian value of love; which means that love of God and Jesus Christ is what makes possible and sustains Christian love of fellow Men; as it generates creation itself...And the most powerful and lasting form of 'group' Christian love is that which emerges from the fundamental reality and primacy of the family - which ideally means the natural, 'extended' family.The family is spontaneous, and the ideal family coheres by love. This predates Christianity. Then, by free agency, Christianity became possible through the work of Jesus Christ. A Man chooses to become Christian. When the members of a family become Christian, we get the only form of love-rooted Christian social group.Christianity is therefore added-to the natural social form that is the family; and because love of God is the first principle; the family cohere by this love of God; and are given purpose and direction by their commitment to follow Jesus Christ to resurrected life eternal in Heaven. Families may be extended and joined by Marriage (when marriage is a genuinely spiritual commitment). Men and women may move between families by marriage; and 'adoption' into another family - when adoption is a love (not legal) relationship (this is rare - but sometimes happens). Or by committed friendship (for example: the love that bound Jesus and his disciples) may become a type of family (albeit genuine loving friendships as strong as family love are rare, and seldom stable - even on a mortal timescale). Family is the true and relationship of love; as we each may experience in Heaven (Heaven is 'organized' in families). And in this earthly mortal life; the above concept of Christian family is is the partial and intermittent model of the true and mystical church. Or, to put matters the other way around; unless a human group is organized on the basis of love; then that group is not primarily a Christian group (even when it calls itself a Church, or a Christian Nation or Empire). We are Christians as a spiritual grouponly in the context of loving familial relations (as defined above). Such groups are sufficient for Christian life, and have spiritual priority above all other groupings (Empire, Nation, Church) that lack their origin in love.
"What is the primary form of social organization for a Christian society? Family."
5 Comments -
Something CS Lewis said about Nausicaa and her family in the Odyssey is that a family like that is the real definition of civilization. They are found in every age and in every age they are surrounded by barbarians.
Game of Thrones is a multi-volume expression of hate for families of that type.
13 August 2022 at 19:36
@G - Yes indeed.
Nowadays I think it is necessary to have (available) a metaphysical-level explanation as to why families are primary, and how they relate to divine creation (including non-human creation) - otherwise it seems like an arbitrary assertion, or else an expedient means to some other end.
14 August 2022 at 06:41
It's interesting how I hear the phrase or idea of "other ways of being a family," or the "many new forms of family" everywhere, even in some churches. That seems to breed endless confusion, and almost make it seem old-fashioned to have a standard family with a mother, father, children, etc.
15 August 2022 at 14:26
@J - " "other ways of being a family" - "friends will replace family" etc. Easy to say - and it's been said assertively and confidently for decades. Yet it just doesn't work, there is no replacement to be had - as we may see from personal experience and observation.
15 August 2022 at 14:42
Maybe pre-mortal life would have more implications than I've seen thought through. If people existed *eternally* pre-mortally, then this would surely very much affect how they live in this world, despite passing through a veil of forgetfulness. Pursuits of an individual in this world might have to do with what they were doing pre-mortally. There would have been a 'second nature' acquired.
Love of family members and maybe even true friends could be carried over from pre-mortal life. With this understanding, it wouldn't be only a similar nature and spending a long time *in this world* with someone that would be contributing to love. Coming to love someone here would be a sort of remembering.
16 August 2022 at 05:23