Fathers And Sons In Deuteronomy 6: An Essential Link In Redemptive History -- By: Andrew M. Davis

Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 12:1 (Spring 2007)
Article: Fathers And Sons In Deuteronomy 6: An Essential Link In Redemptive History
Author: Andrew M. Davis


Fathers And Sons In Deuteronomy 6: An Essential Link In Redemptive History

Andrew M. Davis

We stand presently at a vital juncture in the history of the evangelical church. Statistics show that large numbers of the children of evangelical parents are turning away from their faith when they leave the home. On September 18, 2001, just one week after the devastating terrorist attacks of 9/11, T. C. Pinckney made this shocking statement to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee: “We are losing our children. Research indicates that 70% of teens who are involved in a church youth group will stop attending church within two years of their high school graduation.”1

Few subjects bring as much joy to the hearts of parents than to see their children grow up and mature into a strong faith in Christ (2 John 4, 3 John 4). Conversely, few subjects bring as much grief to the hearts of parents as the apostasy of their children when they reach adulthood. The disintegration of the Christian family is a dire problem for the future of the evangelical church. God has made the family the centerpiece of his redemptive plan, from the creation of Adam, through the call of Abraham, through the establishment of the Davidic Covenant, through the lineage of David’s descendents that eventually brought the Christ to the earth, God has chosen to work in and through families. But now, our families are in serious trouble.

In this article, I am going to argue based on Deuteronomy 6 that God intends fathers to adopt a multigenerational vision to train their sons to love God with all their hearts and to keep his commandments, so that they, in turn, can train their own sons to lead their families in the same pattern. I am going to argue that this in no way shows a lack of concern for mothers or daughters, but rather upholds the structure for family leadership that God established from the beginning of humanity. I will describe in detail the practical steps Deuteronomy 6 commands fathers to take in training their

sons. And I will conclude with a call to Christian fathers in the new covenant to take these words seriously and apply them to their own sons and families for the glory of Christ.

A Dramatic Moment in Redemptive History

It would be difficult to overstate the drama of the moment in redemptive history represented in the book of Deuteronomy. There stood Moses, the man of God, addressing Israel, the people of God, assembled on the plains of...

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