Genealogies
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There are two warnings about genealogies in Scripture:
I Timothy 1:4: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Titus 3:9: But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
What was the problem with genealogies?
It seems I remember hearing somewhere that at this time some of Jewish descent were trying to verify their Jewishness by tracing their ancestry back. Is this saying, in effect, “Don’t worry about that: you’re saved by faith, not by your ancestry?” Or was there some other problem with it?
And is there any problem with Christians today tracing back their family history just for fun out of curiosity?
I Timothy 1:4: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Titus 3:9: But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
What was the problem with genealogies?
It seems I remember hearing somewhere that at this time some of Jewish descent were trying to verify their Jewishness by tracing their ancestry back. Is this saying, in effect, “Don’t worry about that: you’re saved by faith, not by your ancestry?” Or was there some other problem with it?
And is there any problem with Christians today tracing back their family history just for fun out of curiosity?
I would certainly hope there is not a problem with tracing your lineage, because I do it! (If anyone knows of a way to do searches in Mexico, that would be appreciated.)
I have never really studied that out, but your assumption at least sounds plausible. I highly doubt it has anything to do with what you or I would do with genealogies.
I have never really studied that out, but your assumption at least sounds plausible. I highly doubt it has anything to do with what you or I would do with genealogies.
This was probably pointed toward some Jewish believers who thought them selves more spiritual because of their ancestry (I am from Levi or Paul’s former boasting of being a Benjamite).
However, I think we see some of this in today’s churches: “My great grand dad built this church”, “I am a fourth generation church member”, “I come from a long line of Baptist preachers” or placing plaques on pews in memory of the dead. Because of these “endless genealogies” the must give special attention to something that would otherwise be irrelevant. e.g. That old rundown table with a leg missing in the fellowship hall, that was hand made by the first deacon 60 yrs ago and must now be kept till the return of our Lord. Take those drapes hanging over the baptistery they are pea green but Grandma sewed them by hand in 1967 so removing them is out of the question. The hymnal in your hand may be falling apart but it was given in memory of a young soldier who died in Korea so just keep handling it with care. I know little old Mrs Negativity runs every new person off but her late husband was a former pastor here. These stories are true but the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
There is no room for this stuff in the House of God. These things only lead to trouble in the future and should be avoided at all cost.
However, I think we see some of this in today’s churches: “My great grand dad built this church”, “I am a fourth generation church member”, “I come from a long line of Baptist preachers” or placing plaques on pews in memory of the dead. Because of these “endless genealogies” the must give special attention to something that would otherwise be irrelevant. e.g. That old rundown table with a leg missing in the fellowship hall, that was hand made by the first deacon 60 yrs ago and must now be kept till the return of our Lord. Take those drapes hanging over the baptistery they are pea green but Grandma sewed them by hand in 1967 so removing them is out of the question. The hymnal in your hand may be falling apart but it was given in memory of a young soldier who died in Korea so just keep handling it with care. I know little old Mrs Negativity runs every new person off but her late husband was a former pastor here. These stories are true but the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
There is no room for this stuff in the House of God. These things only lead to trouble in the future and should be avoided at all cost.
Paul’s warnings can also be understood as referring to people who get quite wrapped up in levels of supernatural beings, different degrees of angels, etc., which was a problem with the gnostic cults.
The only problem I have had with an interest in genealogy is that it tends to lead to lots of organizations to join. :) As an aside, if you choose to use the LDS databases, which are free, be advised that they are based on the information people give them. I have found inaccuracies in my own family information posted there, so if you need/want truly accurate information, try to back it up with official census records, military papers, and the like.
The only problem I have had with an interest in genealogy is that it tends to lead to lots of organizations to join. :) As an aside, if you choose to use the LDS databases, which are free, be advised that they are based on the information people give them. I have found inaccuracies in my own family information posted there, so if you need/want truly accurate information, try to back it up with official census records, military papers, and the like.
Christy, I completely agree about joining lots of organizations. Luckily, I have been able to keep just to ancestry.com.
In reference to your supernatural comment. I don’t know if the genealogy part is in specific reference to that, but that is definitely a great warning. I think I can share this here. My wife, for the majority of her life always had very vivid night terrors and other things. (not to be confused with nightmares. They are completely different!) Long story short, we believe these things were happening because as a child she had an unhealthy desire to know things supernatural. (supernatural in a bad way. Reading books about haunted places. Watching movies that had supernatural overtones)
Praise be to God, we actually got wise counsel on how to ‘fix’ this. In a nutshell, she prayed every time she felt ‘scared’ in the name of Jesus and the power of His blood. When I was with her during these times, I would make her sing a comforting song. In essence, we prayed to God to take it away and gave Him the praise for conquering it. (why would Satan wish to do something that would cause us to praise the Lord?)
All that to say, since getting this under control, she has had multiple conversations with people with the exact same circumstances. In every case, at a young age they were introduced to the supernatural in a wrong way. She is actually working with one of her friend’s boy friends currently.
In reference to your supernatural comment. I don’t know if the genealogy part is in specific reference to that, but that is definitely a great warning. I think I can share this here. My wife, for the majority of her life always had very vivid night terrors and other things. (not to be confused with nightmares. They are completely different!) Long story short, we believe these things were happening because as a child she had an unhealthy desire to know things supernatural. (supernatural in a bad way. Reading books about haunted places. Watching movies that had supernatural overtones)
Praise be to God, we actually got wise counsel on how to ‘fix’ this. In a nutshell, she prayed every time she felt ‘scared’ in the name of Jesus and the power of His blood. When I was with her during these times, I would make her sing a comforting song. In essence, we prayed to God to take it away and gave Him the praise for conquering it. (why would Satan wish to do something that would cause us to praise the Lord?)
All that to say, since getting this under control, she has had multiple conversations with people with the exact same circumstances. In every case, at a young age they were introduced to the supernatural in a wrong way. She is actually working with one of her friend’s boy friends currently.
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