family as idolotry theses

Mark McCulley, May 16,1996, ascension day

1.. The demands of the kingdom of Christ preempt the demands of family relationships. The family is not sacred. Luke 8:21; 52,53;14;26.I Cor 7:8.

kc's response in indented paragraph:
There are no "demands of family relationships" that are not demands of the Kingdom of Christ. Any demands which purport to be "demands of family relationships" which are inconsistent with the demands of the Kingdom of Christ are not really "demands of family relationships"

2. Individuals are elected to be conformed to the image of the individual Lord Jesus, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29; 9:6-7,11-12; Matt 11:25; John 6:37-40; Ephesians 1:3-6

How is this anti-patriarchal? How does a familial metaphor ("firstborn among many brothers") show the family to be idolatry?

3. God is not a family; God is one who has a family. Deuteronomy 6:4; John 10:30;Eph 4:14-15; Heb 2:11

Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
This no more proves the thesis than it disproves the Trinity,
John 10:30 "I and My Father are one."
Ditto.
Ephesians 4:14-15 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;
How does this prove the thesis?
Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
See comments on Thesis 2. God consists of the Father, the Son, and a Spirit to Whom the Scripture ascribes feminine or motherly qualities.

4. Likeness to the image of God includes not only dominion, morality, and rationality, but also individuality and love. Colossians 3:9-14

Colossians 3:9-14 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, {10} and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, {11} where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. {12} Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; {13} bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. {14} But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

5.The love of one individual for another expressed in marriage involves mutual ownership and obligation. I Cor 7:3-5; Ex 21:9-10.

Exodus 21:9-10 "And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. {10} "If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. {4} The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. {5} Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Are there laws regulating an idolatry? See Thesis #1
Note that slaves are disposed of patriarchally, not politically, and the father arranges marriages.

6. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that the creature cannot by oath initiate any covenant with God. Gen 6:18; 9:9; 15:18;31;14; Ex 24:8;II Sam 7;23:5;II Chronicles 29:10; Jer 31:33; Hosea 6:7.

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

7.In the new covenant, the Lord Jesus forbids all creatures to take oaths or to swear before God. Matt 5:34-36,James 5:12

http://members.aol.com/VFTINC/oath/06bible.htm

8. The only covenant God now has with the creature is the new covenant, wherein God's law is written on the heart of the regenerate creature.Gal 3:25; Heb 8:7-13;II Cor 3:6,14;2:16

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

9.New covenant baptism is not an oath or human initiative which seeks to obligate God to either promise or curse. New covenant baptism is a pledge of response and a symbol of regeneration. Therefore baptism should not be given to anyone before the time that the grace symbolized is really exhibited and conferred. Baptism neither exhibits nor confers that grace. I Peter 4:21; Acts 2:38,39a and b, 41;18:8.

What is the difference between a "pledge" and an "oath?" A "pledge" is clearly not a "yes" or a "no." How do we know when rengeneration is "really" conferred?
http://members.aol.com/XianAnarch/95theses/thesis.htm#69

10. At the Lord's Supper, Jesus is present by his covenant and Spirit in the body of believers, but there is also a real absence of Jesus "until he comes" I Cor 11:26;15:25,26.

http://members.aol.com/XianAnarch/95theses/thesis.htm#70

11 The new covenant does not call baptism and the Lord's Supper "seals". Eph 1:13;II Cor122

Sacraments do not define patriarchy. All sacraments can be disposed of and Patriarchy remains.

12. The new covenant is a covenant of grace, in no way conditioned on our merits but made sure by Christ. Hebrews 10:5-8

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

13. The law written by God on the heart of the regenerate creature is not identical with the law given by God to Noah or to Abraham or to Moses Colossians 2:14, 15; Ephesians 2:15.

"Identical"? Is the law given to Moses "identical" with the law given to Noah? Yet they are both "Old Covenant."

14. The Bible did not divide covenantal law into parts. Even the prophetic part which spoke of the blood and grace of Christ could kill . Colossians 2:14; James 2:10; Galatians 5:3; 3:10.

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

15. Although covenantal law given by God reflects God's unchanging character, God has made different covenants and therefore given different laws at different times. Matt 5:18,19,28,32,34,39,48.

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

16. The Ten commandments are not God's law for the new covenant; neither seventh day nor first day sabbath is God's law of the new covenant. Col 2:16

This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

17. New covenant prosperity and reign does not mean that regenerate creatures will be given the material goods of the unregenerate. Wealth is no longer a sacrament or symbol of regeneration. Matt 19:23; Luke 1:53; 6:24; I Tim 6:9; James 5:1

"No Longer"? When was wealth a "sacrament"?

Mark 10:29-30 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, {30} "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

Compare to the life of Job.
This does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

Theses 18-25 are completely compatible with my pro-Patriarchy theses.

18. After Cain murdered his brother, God protected Cain's life from the revenge of relatives. Cain then used his freewill to establish the "justice" which would eventually execute the Lord Jesus Christ. Gen 4:14-17; Psalm 2:2; I Cor 2:8; Acts 2:23.

19. Cain's culture was an attempt to escape the presence of God, a freewill rebellion against God.Gen 4:16-17; Numbers 13:28.

20. After the flood, there was no distinction between church and family and state. The command to shed the blood of criminals was not given to a separate state. Gen 8:20-9:6.

21. Nimrod was the first statesman after the flood. Even his name means rebellion. Gen 10:8-12; I Sam 15; 23; Rev 18:23.

22.Babel was a a proud rebel state which attempted to deny the Creator/creature distinction. Gen 11:1-9; Rev 17:5; Rom 1:25

23. The various nation-states are divided up and assigned demonic guardians. Deut 4:19; 32; 8; Acts 17:26; Jude 8-; Ii Pet 2:10-11; Daniel 10:13,20

24.The children of Abraham are not to depend on kings and armies. Dt 17:14-16; Ps 33:16-17; 20:7; Zech 4:6; Ezek 17:15; Is 31:1; 36:9; I Kings 10:26

25. Abimelech, son of Gideon, with no mandate from God, decided that he ought to be king. He began by assassinating his brothers. But the prophet Jotham told a parable of trees who wanted a king: when the vine, the fig,and the olive refused, they approached the bramble,which accepted and immediately threatened to burn any who would disobey. This is the inherent nature of the state. Judges 9.

26.Melchizedek was an unique priest, but not because he was both priest and king at the same time. Gen 14:18; 17:23; Ex 4:24-26; Judges 17:10; I Peter 2:9; Rev 5:10.

He was both priest and king because he was unique. Analogously, we have been born of an "eternal seed." (1 Pet 1:23)

Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
Genesis 17:23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him.
Exodus 4:24-26 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him. {25} Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at Moses' feet, and said, "Surely you are a husband of blood to me!" {26} So He let him go. Then she said, "You are a husband of blood!"; because of the circumcision.
Judges 17:10 Micah said to him, "Dwell with me, and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten shekels of silver per year, a suit of clothes, and your sustenance." So the Levite went in.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
Very pro-patriarchy passages, I think. This could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

Theses 27-43 perfectly parallel my pro-Patriarchy theses.

27.Inflationary money created by the state facilitates the transfer of wealth from the weak but godly to the state and other debtors. Is 1:22-23; Micah 6:10; Rev 13:16-17.

28.Before and after the Davidic kings,the children of Abraham governed themselves by patriarchy:the heads of families administered the Passover. Ex 12:3,4.

29.The bureaucratic slave government of Egypt was a threat to government by family elders. Ex 3:16; 5:14; 12; 21; Numbers 11:16.

30. Although God had given commandments to the patriarchs, God gave though Moses another covenant for the immature and slave-like children of Abraham coming out of Egyptian bondage. John 7:19,22; Gal 3:17, 19; Exodus 20-24; Heb 2:2

31. While other nation-states were given demonic guardians, the angelic guardians of the Mosaic covenant served an useful but temporary function. Dt 33:2; Acts 7; 53; Galatians 3; 19

32. The land promised to Abraham functioned as a geographical incubator for the genetic line leading to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the new covenant, neither this land nor the raising of seed has any prophetic importance, because the Seed has come. Gen 16:2; 19:32; 38:8; Lev 19:19; Gal 3; 16.

33. In the new covenant, raising a family and/or owning land has no prophetic or redemptive significance, because the entire world is our inheritance through kinship with Jesus, not our natural family. Luke 20:35; Matt 5:5; 28:19-20; Psalm 2; 8.

34. It was the goal of Moses that all God's people would be competent in understanding God's law. Numbers 11:29; 35; 24.

35. The ultimate goal of education and redemption is the glory of God exhibited in social security without a state. We will not be peaceful and safe except when King Jesus settles disputes and we beat swords into plowshares, not training for war anymore, each individual, celibate or with family, sits under his own vine and fig tree. Micah 4.

36.Movement toward centralization of power in monarch or republic is a rejection of God. I Sam 8:7.

37.The monarchy in Israel was a result of rebellion in the priest Eli's family. I Sam 2:12: 3:13; 8:2-5.

38.The state in Israel is the answer to the prayers of rebels who wanted to be like the demonic states around Israel. I Sam 8:5,20.

39. The state in Israel is a rejection of the Lord's priestly calling to be a holy people. Numbers 23; 9.

40. Wanting to escape individual and familial responsibility, the children of Abraham wished for a monarch. God judged their sin by granting their wish, and giving the curse of the state. Hosea 13; 11; I Sam 8:7; 10:19; 12:12,17,19.

41.God works all things -even evil things--to serve God's purposes. Rom 8:28; Dt 31:29; Josh 23:15; I Kings 14:9-10; 21:29; II Kings 22:16,20; Job 2; 10; 42; 11; Is 45:7; Dan 9:12,14.

42.Often the evil things God sends are the armies of other states, who are exercising their freewill to do evil according to their nature. Gen 50; 20; II Sam 17:14; Is 10:5-7; Rev 17:17.

43. Christians are not to resist the evil state with violence but submit themselves to their illegitimate but ordained power.Romans 12:14-13:8; Matt 5; 39,41; Jer 29:7; 27:12; 38:17-18.

44. Christians have eternal life given to them on resurrection Day, and therefore can bravely submit themselves to the first death. Matt 10:28; John 5:24-28; 3; 15; 6:40; 10:28; 17:2; Acts 13:48; Rom 6:23; I Cor 15:19; Gal 6:8; Phil 4:3; Col 3:4; I Tim 1; 16; 4:8; 6:12-16.

I might have phrased this a little more preteristically, but this could have been in my theses; does not show Patriarchy to be an idolatry.

Theses 45-53 perfectly parallel my pro-Patriarchy theses.

45. Every decision of every statesman is under the complete sovereign control of God; all imperial acts are calculated and predestined by God for God's own purposes. Prov 16:4; 21; 1; Is 45:7; Jer 4:6; 21; 10; Amos3:6 ; Micah 2:3; Rom 9:17; Luke 1:52-53; Ex 7:3-5; Is 40:22-24; I Chro 5 :26.

46. As with all angelic activity, no state action is accidental, random, lucky or unlucky. Romans 13:1; II Sam 24:16; Ps 78:49; Is 24:21-22; 45:12-13; Jer 8:1-2; Acts7:42-43; Col 2:15.

47. The state serves God by sinning. There is a distinction between decree and command. Isaiah 10:6,12.

48. The shedding of a criminal's blood was a temporary prophecy of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, not ever given to any pagan state. Gen 9:4-6; Numbers 35; 30-33; Dt 21:1-9.

"not ever given to any pagan state" -- All pagan states were under obligation to repent and obey God's Law.

49. Many of the ethnic children of Abraham preferred the Mosaic covenant to the New Covenant gospel of Christ. Matt23:34-39; I thess 2:15; John 5:18; 9; 22; 10:31; 19:7.

50. By his power over demons, Jesus demonstrated the present victory of his kingdom. Matt 12; 28; Luke 10:18; Rev 12; 10-12; 20:1-4; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Col 2:15; Heb 2:14; I John 3:8; 4:4; 5:4.

51. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Jesus. Heb 2:5-8; I Cor 15:25-28; II Cor 4:14,18; 5:5.

Is that our fault, or is it the case that there is something that has not been made subject to Jesus?

52. The kingdom of Jesus Christ shall be greater than all other kingdoms. Matt 13:32; Is 2:2-4: Dan 2:35,44; Mich 4:1-3; Zech 4:10.

53. The world's wise and politically powerful reject King Jesus. John 11:48; 18:35; 19:15; Luke 2:34; I Cor 2:6-9; Rev13:11.

54. Although Christ's kingdom comes often without spectacular display, the destruction of Jerusalem in Ad 70 points ahead to a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess his dominion. Phil 2:10-11; Rev 2; 27; 6:15-17; 19:15; 20:11-15; I John 2:28; 3:2; Rom 8:18,19.

How does one event "point ahead" to another event?

Theses 55-57 perfectly parallel my pro-Patriarchy theses.

55.There is no neutrality. Matt 6:24; 12:30; I Cor 10:31; Col 1:18; 3; 17; James 4; 4,8; I John 2:15; Rom 12:1-2; II Pet 1:3; Heb 11:24-26; Eph 4:15.

56. Christians should judge other Christians in all matters, and never initiate any action in state courts. I Cor 5:12-6:6; James 2:6; Micah 4:3.

57. Every Christian is ordained to deacon and serve God with authoritatitve preaching. Acts 6:7-10; 8:4-12; Heb 5:12.

58. In the new order of the new covenant, we are to continue to observe the Lord's supper until the Lord comes. Heb 8:13; 9:10; I Cor 5:8; 11:26.

http://members.aol.com/XianAnarch/95theses/thesis.htm#70

Theses 59-71 perfectly parallel my pro-Patriarchy theses.

59. People who place any hope in the state are foolish. I Cor 3; 19; Matt 5:13.

60. Christians are to exercise their heavenly citizenship. Phil 3:20; Mark 10:42-45; Rev 18:4.

61. State power is vanity and a pursuit of wind. Though Soloman used such power to promote arts,music, culture and wisdom, wickedness was in the place of judgment. Ecclesiates 3:16.

62. Herod the Great as a nursing father promoted religion by building a new temple for Israel. In that temple the abomination of desolation stood where it ought not. Matt 2:7; 24:15; Daniel 9:27.

63. Jesus assured the authorities that he would reign no matter what they did. Matt 26:24.

64. Jesus accused the authorities of being the power of darkness, of improper procedures, and of obtaining their power from satan as decreed by God. But since it is is useless to talk to unjust statemen, Jesus mostly kept silent. Luke 22:52-53; John 18:20-21; 19:10-11; Matt 26:59-50; Luke 23:6.

65. Romans law allowed pilate to yield to direct democracy (the mob) and to condemn an innocent man to death for no valid reason. The submission of Jesus to this trial is not a recognition of legitimacy, but an apocalyptic uncovering of the injustice of pretensions to justice.Col 2:15; I Cor 2:8; John 19:10-11.

66. Disdainful of the ridiculous temple tax levied by Herod, Jesus with complete indifference performed a miracle so as not to cause offense. catch any fish and you will find the money in its mouth. Matt 17:24.

67. Even though the state possesses (usually debased) money and power, the power of life belongs to our sovereign God. Therefore we render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Mark 12:13.

68. The Devil is the "divider" (diabolos) and uses politics to divide people against each other. In rejecting the temptation of the devil, Jesus rejected not only the power of the Herod monarchy but all of Satan's kingdoms. Matt 4; Luke 4.

69. The wisdom and power of God is sometimes shown to the powers by means of the phenomena called ecclesia: Eph 3:10; I Tim 3; 15; Col 1:18; Matt 16:18; 18:17.

70. Christians reign with Christ. Rom 6:14; Eph 2:6; Col 3:12,13; I John 2:13, 14; 4; 4; 5:4; Rev 1:6; 20:6.

71. Christians have come already to New Jerusalem, the Temple City of God, which needs no armies or walls. Rev 21; Heb 12:22; I Cor 3:16; Ii Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21.

72. Christians wait for the coming of Jesus. Titus 2:12; I John 3:2-3; Col 3:4; Rom 8:18-23; I Cor 15: 23-26; Heb 9:28.

http://members.aol.com/XianAnarch/95theses/thesis.htm#88

73. The new covenant symbol of baptism is to be given only by the twiceborn and only to the twiceborn, who give evidence of regeneration from above. I Pet 4:21; Acts 2:38,39 a and b; Col 2: 11-12.

http://members.aol.com/XianAnarch/95theses/thesis.htm#69

74. The ecclesia phenomena will always exist, but that existence depends not on biology but on the miracle of new birth. Matt 16; 18; John 1:12-13; 3:3-8.

"The ecclesia phenomena" -- What are these?

75. The perseverance of regenerate individuals toward holiness depends on the presence of other regenerate individuals. Ecclesia is God's provision for our preservation. Mark 10:29,30; Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25; 12:13-16.

This is the seventh "Vine & Fig Tree" Archetype.