Mother Issues and Their Impact on Christian Relationships
The Bible acknowledges that family relationships can be strained or even divided due to faith in Christ, with Jesus himself saying, "For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" [2]. This theme is echoed in Luke 12:53, where Jesus notes that divisions will occur within families due to his teachings [1].
In this context, the role of mothers is particularly significant. The biblical text emphasizes the importance of honoring one's parents, including mothers. In Exodus 20:12 and Leviticus 19:3, the command to honor parents is given, highlighting the esteem with which mothers are to be regarded [4]. The biblical tradition also underscores the duty of parents, including mothers, to instruct their children in God's word and to train them up for God [3].
The early Christian tradition grappled with the complexities of family relationships in light of Christ's teachings. Tertullian, for instance, interprets Jesus' statement about his mother and brethren as a repudiation of carnal relationships in favor of spiritual ones, suggesting that the Church is the true mother of believers [5]. Augustine also explores the tension between loving one's family and loving Christ, arguing that one must prioritize love for Christ while still maintaining familial relationships [6].
In Christian relationships, the impact of mother issues can be significant. The biblical text and early Christian tradition suggest that faith in Christ can both unite and divide families. While Jesus' teachings may lead to divisions within families, they also emphasize the importance of honoring and loving one's parents, including mothers. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, highlights the importance of maintaining healthy family relationships, including those between mothers and children [7].
The New Testament provides guidance on navigating these complex relationships. In Ephesians 6:1-4, children are instructed to obey their parents, while parents are exhorted to discipline their children gently [8]. This reciprocal relationship is seen as a reflection of devotion to the Lord.
Sources
- Luke “They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” -- Luke 12:53”
- Matthew “For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. -- Matthew 10:35”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parents — Receive their children from God -- Ge 33:5; 1Sa 1:27; Ps 127:3. Their duty to their children is To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To bring them to Christ. -- Mt 19:13,14. To train them up for God. -- Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4. To instruct them in God's word. -- De 4:9; 11:19; Isa 38:19. To tell them of God's judgments. -- Joe 1:3. To tell them of the miraculous works of God. -- Ex 10:2; Ps 78:4. To command them to obey God. -- De 32:46; 1Ch 28:9. To bless them. -- Ge 48:15; Heb 11:20. To pity them. -- Ps 103:13. To provide for them. -- Job 42:15; 2Co 12:14; 1Ti 5:8. To rule”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mother — The superiority of the Hebrew over all contemporaneous systems of legislation and of morals is strongly shown in the higher estimation of the mother in the Jewish family, as contrasted with modern Oriental as well as ancient Oriental and classical usage. The king's mother, as appears in the case of Bath-sheba, was treated with special honor. (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 19:3; 5:16; 21:18,21; 1 Kings 2:29; Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:25; 29:15; 31:1,30)”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. VII.--EXPLANATION OF THE LORD'S QUESTION ABOUT HIS MOTHER AND HIS BRETHREN. ANSWER TO THE CAVILS OF APELLES AND MARCION, WHO SUPPORT THEIR DENIAL OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY BY IT. (part 4): unbelieving brethren. In their person Israel remained outside, whilst the new disciples who kept close to Christ within, hearing and believing, represented the Church, which He called mother in a preferable sense and a worthier brotherhood, with the repudiation of the carnal relationship. It was in just the same sense, indeed, that He also replied to that exclamation (of a certain wo”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XV.--40. But it is rather that statement which the Lord Himself makes in another passage which is wont to disturb the minds of the little ones, who nevertheless earnestly desire to live now acco (part 1): 18 a man may love his enemies, and hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers ! For He commands both things who calls us to the kingdom of heaven. And how these things do not contradict each other, it is easy to show under His guidance; but after they have been understood, it is difficult to carry them out, althou”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 43: ( a .) That it was rendered rather as a vindication of the divinity of Christ, than as an exaltation of the glory of the Blessed Virgin. It had its origin in the Nestorian controversy. Nestorius was accused of teaching that the Logos only inhabited the man Jesus, whence it was inferred that he held that the person born of the Virgin was simply human. It was to emphasize the assertion that the “person” thus born was truly divine that the orthodox insisted that the Virgin should be called the Mother of God. ( b .) There is a sense in which ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:1: 6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”