Do fundamentalist's ignore the doctrines of the family?

[musingsofacac]

As a fellow fundamentalist(IFB) I sometimes wonder about this.

You will hear plenty of talk about different view of eschatology in fundamental churches.

You will hear plenty of talk about differing interpretations of church structure and practice.

You will hear plenty of talk about differing interpretations when it comes to salvation theology.

These are all very important topics, no one would argue differently. But recently my Pastor realized there was not enough emphasis on the doctrines of marriage and the family. How does a literal interpretation of scripture affect how we see our marriage, how we raise and discipline our children.

I would argue that second only to the doctrine of salvation and trinity, there is no more important doctrines for a Christian than the doctrines of marriage and the family.

Yet as my Pastor said in one sermon, Pastors are afraid to breach these subjects, for fear of offending people. They don't want to dive into marriage and family, because there might be too many disagreements.

What do you think?

 

[cubanito]

I have heard a LOT of preaching about the family from fundys like John MacArthur, RC Sproul and many many others for the past 30 years. At least most of the big names, including from Calvary Chapel and a LOT of others do not shy away from this one bit. My own pastor and demomination (PCA) are clear on this matter and have not changed to suit the culture in more than 30 years despite much pressure.

As to my own household, this has been also clear and central.

JR

 

[musingsofacac]

I have heard a LOT of preaching about the family from fundys like John MacArthur, RC Sproul and many many others for the past 30 years. At least most of the big names, including from Calvary Chapel and a LOT of others do not shy away from this one bit. My own pastor and demomination (PCA) are clear on this matter and have not changed to suit the culture in more than 30 years despite much pressure.

As to my own household, this has been also clear and central.

JR

Yes definitely I agree you hear radio preachers like the one's you mention hit hard on doctrines of marriage and family. In one church I went to in my early 20's we studied John MacArthurs "Different by Design".

But aside from radio preachers, I am talking about the average fundy church. Do you think a lot of fundy churches on a yearly basis are having seminars weeks of lessons on what it means to be a Godly husband, and what it means to be a Godly wife? How to discipline and train your children as Christians?

I may be wrong on this and it might just be a local issue where I am. But my church and the couple other fundy churches I have friends at around here were the same, you would rarely here about male, female gender roles as presented in the Bible. They might have a fluffy piece about marriage, but they never digged deep into anymore.

I am glad my Pastor is placing an emphasis on this now. I just wonder how deep he will go.

 

[cubanito]

I have no way of knowing what the "average fundy church" is doing. I travel very little and am averse to "church hopping" as well, so my exposure is very limited outside of my own home Church and the nationally known types. Still with the popularity of ministries like Focus on the Family, Family Life and many others it seems that there is lots of material out there. I do know that some of the chirches that attract a younger crowd steer away from abortion, homosexuality and the clear teaching of a wife's submission.

So I steer away from them. Interestingly, my daughters dislike those churches even more than me, and are very pro traditional family.

JR