A striking feature of life in a fallen world is how some of the same kinds of experiences range along a continuum of extremes. Some marriages are enormously fulfilling. They sustain each spouse emotionally throughout the course of life. They undergo adversity, but emerge stronger than ever. Faithful the last. Other marriages are merely functional. And still other marriages are miserable for both spouses. Better if they stayed single.
Some people have a wonderful childhood. Not only do they wax nostalgic about their youth and childhood, but all the happy memories create a lifelong momentum. They coast on their happy childhood for the rest of their lives.
Other people have a wretched childhood. They can't wait to put it behind them. And they never get out from under the oppressive shadow of their wretched childhood.
For some people, parenting is a source of renewable joy and perennial satisfaction. Gives them a sense of completion. For others, parenting is a source of heartache. Disappointment. Thankless children. Kids who become hopelessly addicted to drugs. Commit suicide.
For some, sex is a highpoint in life. A source of elation and equilibrium. For others it becomes routine, mechanical. For others, sex is degraded or horrific (e.g. prostitution, child trafficking).
Life in a fallen world gives us a foretaste of how good things can be and how bad things can be. A foretaste of heaven and hell.
These are interesting points...I wonder, then, about your opinion on Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25, since some believers have expressed concerns about the ideas of marriage and/or sex ceasing after the resurrection. In fact, RT France's commentary on Matthew says "it is a mistake to picture life in heaven as being simply an extrapolation of life on earth." How do you think this fits with what you posted above?
ReplyDeleteGood commentary, but I'm on record expressing skepticism about the traditional interpretation of Mt 22:30 (and Synoptic parallel passages).
DeleteWow. Such a good post.
ReplyDelete