In God’s creative act, He establishes a natural order and outcome for His creation. One man and one woman who would become one flesh, and from that one-flesh sexual union they would create life. In the beginning, we then also hear God’s first great command: “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Male and female were defined. Marriage was instituted. The family was ordained. God’s command was spoken. If we are to reclaim the virtue of family in our chaotic society today, we must begin with God’s Word and firmly stand upon it for the sake of the family.

As a church, we must not simply declare the things we stand against, but we must also robustly proclaim the things we stand for. This includes being for the family—being for faithful husbands and fathers, being for faithful wives and mothers. In a culture that has redefined what a family is, what marriage is, and even what it means to be male and female, it is important that the church stands for the family and the wonders of God’s created order.

a wonder of creation.

One of the wonders of creation is the way God designed the woman’s body to give birth. It’s an absolute wonder. With six children, my wife and I have experienced this wonder multiple times. And it reminds me how the vocation of mother is much deeper than men tend to realize. Comedian Jim Gaffigan makes me crack up when he describes it:

“Whatever a pregnant woman is doing, she is also at the same time growing a baby inside of her. I think this is where women get their incredible ability to multitask. They can talk on the phone, cook supper, tend to the children, and grow a baby all at the same time. Even when they are sleeping, they are multitasking. Often times I’m not even tasking.”

Indeed, women are a marvel!

God’s design of a woman’s body is truly amazing. A woman can grow a baby inside her body. Then a woman can deliver the baby through her body. Then, by God’s design, a woman can feed a baby with her body. Again, Jim Gaffigan cracks me up with his description:

“Guys, let’s be honest, when you compare that to the male’s contribution to life, it’s kind of embarrassing, really. As a father I’m like, ‘Hey, I helped, too.’ For like five seconds. Doing the one thing I think about twenty-four hours a day… Well, enjoy your morning sickness. I’m gonna eat me a chili dog. Mmmm! Smell those onions.”

reclaiming family virtue.

All joking aside, reclaiming family virtue begins quite simply with men and women, as well as pastors and parents, identifying and celebrating the God-ordained vocations within the family—including the vocations of being male and female. Whether you are single or married, the family is still the origin of your being.

Now, as ever, Christian men of our day must reclaim what it is to be godly men, godly husbands, and godly fathers—to be gentlemen of virtue, to be providers and protectors, to act as the heads of the household, to have hands of discipline and patient love and playfulness and compassion, and especially, to recognize that our role is not simply a five-second contribution but a lifetime of prayer and active involvement in the formation of our children.

Now, as ever, Christian women of our day must reclaim what it is to be godly women, godly wives, and godly mothers—to be women of virtue, to nurture and encourage, to lead and to follow, to cultivate their homes as a haven, and to know their value is infinitely more than the dollar amount attached to any job, especially if they choose to stay home as a mother.   

Reclaiming family virtue begins with you and me having caring conversations with our children, our grandchildren, our students, and our parishioners about how God . . .

1. Creates the family through the one-flesh union

2. Orders the family through the vocations of being male and female, husband, wife, and children

3. Sustains the family through the vocations of father, mother, and siblings

These are three things I know we can be confident about and be prepared to do. As congregations in the Minnesota South District, I pray we continue equipping and encouraging our parents and our families to stand on the Word of God and to stand up for the family as God created it to be.

After all, our Lord Jesus Christ had an earthly family. He had the vocation of being male and being a son. He understood the wonders of the God-created family. He grew up in the care of an earthly family, and even while hanging on the cross, He made sure His mother would be cared for (see John 19:26-27). To be sure, Jesus understood the wonders of creation because He was the Word that was there creating these wonders in the beginning (see John 1:1-3). But He is also the Word that gives us the confidence and boldness to uphold the family and stand for the family today.   

In the joy of Jesus,

Pastor Lucas

Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President
Minnesota South District, LCMS
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