On Saturday we flew from Sao
Paulo, Brazil to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and today, Monday, we fly to La Paz for
three weeks. Our two weeks in Brazil were intense and full. On our last day in
Londrina I moderated the oral comprehensive exam of a Brazilian doctoral
candidate I’ve been mentoring. Luis is a gifted theologian and psychologist and
has served the last few years as president of a large interdenominational
seminary in Londrina.
It’s no wonder progress in his
doctoral work has been slow. This is the case with so many of our students, all
leaders in their own spheres of influence, with little spare time. In addition,
they have families they are committed to. Luis and his wife have two young boys
who demand more time with their daddy.
Luis wants to focus his research
in the area of family, bringing together his background in theology and
psychology to investigate the role of the family in fulfilling God’s mission in
the world (what we call the missio Dei). In his original proposal he
planned to do field research among Christian families in Londrina, showing how
the dysfunctionality of his case studies hindered their participation in the missio
Dei. This carries a presupposition that God uses healthy families for mission. We’re been working for some time on refining this proposal, bringing
it up to Ph.D. level. (Proposal development is extremely difficult.)
What Luis presented on Friday has
evolved considerably from the original proposal with its focus on dysfunctionality;
it is more objective, open to let the research make discoveries. But something
very interesting came out in the actual defense. One aspect of Luis’ research will be a
hermeneutical case study of two biblical families, the intergenerational family
of Abraham/Isaac/Jacob/Joseph and that of David/his parents/his many wives and
children. One examining professor noted that the Bible is full of dysfunctional
families. Yet these are the very people and families that God uses in the missio
Dei.
This turns Luis’ original
proposal on its head. Instead of exploring how God uses healthy functional
families in mission, it seems we need to investigate God’s use of dysfunctional
families and flawed people to carry out his purposes in the world.
A closer look at the Bible
reveals very few “normal,” “healthy” (as defined by cultural norms) families,
or even people, for that matter. Yet God took Abraham, David and a host of
others and co-labored with them in moving history forward on paths of justice,
righteousness, and salvation in its fullest sense. The story continues through
the pages of the New Testament, and today dysfunctional families and flawed
people (like me and you) work together with God in kingdom purposes. Maybe we’re
all God has to work with.
Sometimes I wonder is there
exists such a wonder as a “functional family” or even a “normal person.” Maybe
we’re all on a continuum, gradually being transformed into the image of Christ,
as Paul writes in 2 Cor. 3:18. And this image possibly has little to do with
either functionality or normality. In the meantime (that slowly, by grace, is
becoming kindtime), I’m glad God can use me. Just as I am. And as I am becoming.
Everyone's crazy but me and thee. And sometimes I wonder about ... me!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing from my dysfunctional (crazy) friends.
ReplyDeleteThis begs so many questions, doesn't it? It struck me that God used the families mentioned whether they were obedient or disobedient. In other words, God's movement persisted in spite of obedience amidst dysfunctionality in the Old Testament. Maybe this tells us about God's mission sans human decision to participate in that mission....sorry I'm responding while thinking. I could erase this but don't have time to rework it....with love from your dysfunctional friend.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and think/write. Something good usually comes out. It's good to realize that God's Kingdom will go forth, whether or not we do. (But I think He wants us with Him.) (Pardon the masculine pronouns. I don't do seminary-speak well.)
ReplyDeleteI'm banking on the eschaton, on the new creation, on the new heavens and the new earth, on the resurrection of all, on the nations bringing their glory into the place of no darkness. So, yes, God's mission will succeed. What happens to us who have an opportunity to participate, I'm not sure. What happens when we get involved poorly?
ReplyDeletedysfunctionally? with poor attitudes? unwillingly?