Last night, I was asked an excellent question. We read
and meditated on this passage from Paul’s writing:
For we know only in
part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the
partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a
child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult,
I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but
then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully,
even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12
Someone asked, “Why does that passage talk about children
like that if Jesus said we have faith like a child?”
People were bringing
even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it,
they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them
and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell
you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never
enter it.” Luke 18:15-17
At that time the
disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I
tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:1-5
Great question! Why do we have a passage from the apostle
Paul that seems to specifically contradict a teaching that we have from Jesus?
The first thing to remember is that Paul did not have
written gospels to read, as far as we know. He taught from his memorization of
what was handed down to him and from the leading of the Holy Spirit. The
gospels are written accounts that are crafted, by inspiration, with literary
skills like foreshadowing, plot, and theme.
Paul has his own rhetorical flourishes and themes. Where
these things seem to contradict one another, we must always follow the guiding
of Jesus. However, it is worth a closer look to see if a contradiction is truly
present.
When Jesus speaks to his disciples regarding children and
faith, it is important to remember that he commends a child-like faith, but not
a childish faith. In this time period, children were blessings, but also
non-entities. Families had many children in hopes that some would live and
would be useful to the family business or farm. One hoped for the dowries that
might come with daughters-in-law and worried about the dowries to provide for
one’s own daughters. Children were not only not heard, but also barely seen.
Yet, outside of the legal realities, children were certainly
valued. God describes the Divine nature as being like one who lifts an infant
to the cheek (Hosea 11:4). And in Luke 11, Jesus acknowledges that parents want
good things for their children. So, we can ascertain that children in a healthy
family system were loved. Children in this circumstance have an awareness of
their value. They ask questions, play without fear, and freely give and receive
affection.
This is the childlike faith that Jesus holds out as an
example to the disciples. In the gospels, people and created beings who are in
the margins, which included children, perceive who Jesus is as the Christ. They
do not fear him in this role, but are drawn to him. As the One who contains the
Eternal Word that is Love, Jesus could certainly see and sense the fear, guilt,
shame, and worry of adults. He saw them with love and commended them to a faith
of healthy security, trust, and openness- like that of the children who sought
out their Savior.
Paul, instead, is writing to the Corinthians who have habits
that exemplify childish
behavior. They do not share. They engage in grouping up and keeping some people
out of the group. They make bad choices and defy others to correct them. They tell
Paul, “You are not the boss of us.”
Paul’s great argument toward the behavior that comes with
love- being loved and showing love- is a direct hit against childishness and a
push toward childlike faith. Be adults, he is arguing. Stop with petty
jealousies and score keeping. Don’t show off. Don’t be rude. Stop pretending
you have a secret club in Jesus’ name- that’s offensive. God is the boss of you
and God sees what you’re doing. And God knows you can do better!
Paul is exactly speaking against the kind of childish
behavior for which loving parents correct their children, so that they will
learn to leave those things behind. Regrettably, as with the Corinthians, many
of us do not leave that behavior behind and adopt a more adult way of reasoning
and showing love to our neighbors. However, God was not done with the church at
Corinth, which is why Paul kept writing them, and God is not done with us. The
Spirit still moves.
So, when we compare these two passages, it is a difference
between embracing a childlike faith and rejecting childishness in faith (and
faith community). This was an excellent question and an excellent thing for us
to work toward on our way to Easter resurrection celebration.
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