The Perfect Family

sermon by Torin Eikler
Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16

In the past week, there has been another chapter written in the seemingly endless debate between creationism and evolution. Kirk Cameron, who many of us know and love from his role in “Growing Pains,” is making his voice heard on the issue in an unusual way. On November 22nd – the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s Origin of the Species – Cameron plans to distribute 50,000 copies of that book on university campuses around the country.

As remarkable as that notion is, in and of itself, it gets even more interesting when you discover that he has altered the book as part of his effort not to support evolution but to debunk it. Well, alter is, perhaps, too strong a word. None of the original text has been changed, but there will be a 50 page introduction included in this very special edition. And, that introduction presents a “balanced view of creationism” while seeking to discredit evolution by pointing out: the racism inherent in The Origin of the Species, the undeniable link between Hitler and Darwin’s work, Darwin’s “disdain for women,” and many of the “hoaxes” that support the theory – at least in the opinion of the evangelical Christian community that Cameron supports.

(If you want to hear about in Cameron’s words, you can find an introductory video he posted on UTube. You can find a response from a young woman who takes the other side in a brutal critique there as well.)

Whichever side of the debate you happen to be on – or not on – there is no denying that this is still a hot-button issue for many people in the United States 84 years after the “Scopes Monkey Trial” opened the way for non-creationist theories of the origin of life to be taught in public schools. It’s a discussion (or sometimes a fight) that has given birth to some pretty deep divisions in our society and among Christians, and I think it will continue to do so for quite some time. But, the truth is that there is nothing in the Bible that says God did not use of evolution as a tool in creation and there is nothing in the theory of evolution that precludes the existence of a divine being who set it all in motion. And, while the debate is not exactly a waste of time, there are many other things tied to the natural world of which we are a part that we should probably be more concerned about. After all, the bible does say that God created humanity and gave them dominion over the earth.

The thing is, the sense of the Hebrew that gets translated as dominion is little different than what we usually think of. What it really means is that we have the responsibility of stewards over the earth. It’s our job to care for the creation in which we live, and we have been given the power to do that – a power that lives in our hearts’ compassion and our minds’ creativity. In one sense, all of the created order – land, sky, sea, animals, plants, and humanity – all of it is one large family meant to live together as one. And, we … we are not unlike the oldest children or guardians who are designated to care for the younger ones with less understanding.

“What God has joined together, let no one break asunder.”

Families are interesting things.

In seminary, I took a class in family systems, and some of the things that I learned were surprising. Perhaps the thing that caught me the most off guard was the psychological surety that every family has attachment issues to deal with. Overly distant or enmeshed – tangled up like steel wool – we, none of us, actually find that happy medium where parents and children are self-differentiated yet still in close, loving relationship. It should be possible, but like some many of the other ideals we hold at the center of our striving, it seems to be just out of reach.

In fact, it’s almost as if we are destined to fail, and maybe we even prefer it this way. It’s what we are used to after all. And, if we were all so well adjusted as all that, where would the excitement and the challenge in relationships be? No fights…. No making up…. No rush of adrenaline…. No posturing or competition. Just millions of people living together, understanding and accepting one another – helping each other reach the greatest possible fulfillment of each one’s potential. One big happy family. Hmmm……

Now, I know that it sounds a little idyllic. I even had to practice it a couple of times to make it come out convincing (and I’m not entirely sure I succeeded). Still, there’s a part of me that holds onto that dream – that just won’t (maybe can’t) ever let it go. It has the feel of Thanksgiving dinner on a good year. You know, one of those times when everyone is at the family home or at least together somewhere. We all pitched in to get that great big wonderful feast ready. And when the time came, we sat down together around the table, passed the food without spilling anything, ate so much that we nearly burst, and then sat there for an hour talking. The room was full of wonderful smells. In our hands were warm cups of coffee or tea. And, the ring of laughter punctuated the good natured kidding about things over and done with – OR – smiles and warm excitement spiced the sharing of dreams for the future.

I think, I dream, that that is what the church could be … should be like. The same caring. The same sharing. The same glow of warmth, love, and “at home-ness” that shields us for a time – for an eternal moment – from the hard, cold, indifference that can be the calling card of the world outside.

And why not…? Why can’t we be like that? It’s what Jesus called us to. It’s what God created us to be. It’s the Kingdom vision of the great banquet table surrounded by smiling people who see before them every need fulfilled and see around them everything that they could ever want in the presence of brothers and sisters. Couldn’t we find that eternal moment here … with each other… with those who have become our brothers and sisters in Christ? I know this is one of those ideals that always seem out of reach, but we are people of faith and we say that all things are possible through Christ who saves us. Do we believe it? Are we willing to reach for it in the faith that our Father will lift us up that last, impossible inch so that we can grasp the promise?


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word spoke, and all things that were to be flowed forth as the divine breath moved over the face of the waters bringing life into being out of chaos and darkness. And, it was good. The human family came into being and learned of its own power and began to tear itself apart. People learned to kill – at first one at a time … then on a grand scale as warfare became popular and the thirst for power took hold, consuming all things in its path. Whole nations were destroyed or made slaves, and division was sown where God would have unity.

And the Word became flesh and taught by word and deed as he lived among us: shining light on the path to the Realm of God, opening the door, and inviting us into the banquet table where all can sit down together. Some, there were, who heard and saw and truly followed. Others came along for the promise and hope set before them, and it was good.

And here we stand now, in the midst of a time and a world where the vision of the Realm of God shines faintly and the promise of unity among the nations is far from reality. But, the Word still speaks, saying, “Behold, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it” among you? I set a table before you that you may eat of the bread of life and drink the cup of salvation. Come and eat. Come and drink, and remember the promise. Be re-membered. Become once again one family, one body perfect in love and unity though you be imperfect in your living and understanding. “Do this in remembrance of me,” and “what God has joined together, let no one of you put asunder.”