{"id":8698,"date":"2016-11-02T07:10:16","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T23:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?p=8698"},"modified":"2016-09-28T09:48:40","modified_gmt":"2016-09-28T01:48:40","slug":"must-chinese-elders-have-believing-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2016\/11\/02\/must-chinese-elders-have-believing-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Must Chinese elders have believing children?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

What qualifies a person to be a pastor? Are you aware of a controversial translation in Titus 3 that influences how many Chinese church leaders think about this question?<\/p>\n

How we interpret the text has important implications (or consequences) for the church. I refer to Titus 1:6. I\u2019ll quote the ESV in context followed by the translation of v. 6 in the CUV (\u548c\u5408\u672c).<\/p>\n

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you\u2014 6<\/sup>\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers<\/strong><\/span> and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.<\/em> 7\u00a0<\/sup>For an overseer, as God\u2019s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8\u00a0<\/sup>but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9<\/sup>\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.<\/p>\n

\u82e5\u6709\u65e0\u53ef\u6307\u8d23\u7684\u4eba, \u53ea\u4f5c\u4e00\u4e2a\u5987\u4eba\u7684\u4e08\u592b, \u513f\u5973\u4e5f\u662f\u4fe1\u4e3b\u7684<\/span>, \u6ca1\u6709\u4eba\u544a\u4ed6\u4eec\u662f\u653e\u8361\u4e0d\u670d\u7ea6\u675f\u7684, \u5c31\u53ef\u4ee5\u8bbe\u7acb (\u9898\u591a1:6)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A wooden translation of the Chinese (CUV) says: \u201c\u2026children also believe the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

By contrast, other translations echo the HCSB, which says, \u201c\u2026having faithful children<\/em> not accused of wildness or rebellion\u201d (cf. NKJV, NET). Obviously, the difference in translation is neither subtle nor trivial.<\/p>\n

\"credit:<\/a>
credit: wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBelieving\u201d or \u201cfaithful\u201d children?<\/span><\/h1>\n

In my interpretation below, don\u2019t worry when you see Greek words. I add it for those familiar with the language. Even if you don\u2019t know Greek, you\u2019ll see the observations I highlight.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s first look at the Greek before considering the context and other relevant passages. Verse 6 in Greek says:<\/p>\n

\n

\u03b5\u1f34 \u03c4\u03af\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03ad\u03b3\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, \u03bc\u03b9\u1fb6\u03c2 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f00\u03bd\u03ae\u03c1, \u03c4\u03ad\u03ba\u03bd\u03b1 \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9\u03bd \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac<\/strong>, \u03bc\u1f74 \u1f10\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03c1\u03af\u1fb3 \u1f00\u03c3\u03c9\u03c4\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u1f22 \u1f00\u03bd\u03c5\u03c0\u03cc\u03c4\u03b1\u03ba\u03c4\u03b1.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Greek \u03c4\u03ad\u03ba\u03bd\u03b1 \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9\u03bd \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac by itself could certainly be translated \u201cchildren having faith\u201d; however, this is not only possibility (as we see above). In my view, Paul speaks of children\u2019s conduct\/behavior, not<\/em> whether they are believers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To understand why, compare what Paul says in the near context and elsewhere, especially<\/em> Paul\u2019s specific wording. Below, I\u2019ve outlined Titus 1:6<\/p>\n

\n

\u03b5\u1f34 \u03c4\u03af\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03ad\u03b3\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, \u03bc\u03b9\u1fb6\u03c2 \u03b3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9\u03ba\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f00\u03bd\u03ae\u03c1,<\/p>\n

\u03c4\u03ad\u03ba\u03bd\u03b1 <\/strong>\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9\u03bd <\/strong>\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac<\/strong>, <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u03bc\u1f74 \u1f10\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03c1\u03af\u1fb3 <\/strong>\u1f00\u03c3\u03c9\u03c4\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u1f22 \u1f00\u03bd\u03c5\u03c0\u03cc\u03c4\u03b1\u03ba\u03c4\u03b1<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2026 having faithful<\/em> children,<\/p>\n

not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Many people don\u2019t notice or realize the last phrase (grammatically) describes the children, not the church elder. Accordingly, the last clause clarifies the point of \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac (\u201cfaithful\u201d). An elder should raise his children so they will not be unruly, out of control, disrespectful, etc. In other words, they are faithful children, living in a manner respectful to their parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaith(fulness)\u201d in Context<\/span><\/h1>\n

Compare Paul\u2019s wording in Titus 2 as well as in 1 Timothy (where Paul also speaks of an elder\u2019s qualifications). In the following passages, we\u2019ll see how frequently Paul mentions the expectation that people show moral \u201cfaith(fulness)\u201d, not simply \u201chave faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Titus 2:9\u201310, Paul writes,<\/p>\n

Bondservants are to be submissive<\/em> [\u1f51\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03c3\u03c9<\/span>] to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith<\/em> [\u1f00\u03bb\u03bb\u1f70 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd<\/strong> \u1f10\u03bd\u03b4\u03b5\u03b9\u03ba\u03bd\u03c5\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03ae\u03bd].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In a moment, we\u2019ll again see the word \u1f51\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03c3\u03c9<\/span> [be submissive<\/em>], on which Paul elaborates using the word \u201cfaith\u201d [\u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd]. For those curious, the CUV translates the latter as \u201c\u8981\u663e\u4e3a\u5fe0\u8bda\u201d [\u201cshowing loyalty\u201d].<\/p>\n

First Timothy 3 reinforces the above interpretation. What Paul says negatively in Titus 1:6, he states positively in 1 Tim 3:4\u20135, which I outline below.<\/p>\n

\n

He must manage<\/u><\/em> his own household well,<\/p>\n

having children [who are] in submission<\/span><\/p>\n

[who have] with all dignity<\/span><\/p>\n

for<\/em><\/strong> if someone does not know how to manage<\/u><\/em> his own household,<\/p>\n

how will he care for God\u2019s church?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In Greek:<\/p>\n

\n

\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f30\u03b4\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f34\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u1ff6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd,<\/p>\n

\u03c4\u03ad\u03ba\u03bd\u03b1 \u1f14\u03c7\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1 \u1f10\u03bd \u1f51\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b1\u03b3\u1fc7<\/span><\/p>\n

\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u1f70 \u03c0\u03ac\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c3\u03b5\u03bc\u03bd\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/span>\u00b7<\/p>\n

[FOR] \u03b5\u1f30 \u03b4\u03ad \u03c4\u03b9\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f30\u03b4\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bf\u1f34\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u1fc6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u03bf\u1f36\u03b4\u03b5\u03bd,<\/p>\n

\u03c0\u1ff6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03ba\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c3\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03bc\u03b5\u03bb\u03ae\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Paul combines the wording from Titus 1:6, 2:9\u201310. The children should be submissive [\u1f51\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b1\u03b3\u1fc7<\/span>]. Yet, he now adds the word \u03c3\u03b5\u03bc\u03bd\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2<\/span> [\u201cdignity\u201d], which appears a few verses later.<\/p>\n

In 1 Tim 3:11, Paul says, \u201cTheir wives likewise must be dignified<\/em> [\u03c3\u03b5\u03bc\u03bd\u03ac\u03c2<\/span>], not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things<\/em> [\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd].\u201d<\/p>\n

Once again, when speaking of the qualification of an elder, Paul refers to the faithfulness [\u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f70\u03c2] of a close relative. (The CUV says, \u201c\u51e1\u4e8b\u5fe0\u5fc3\u201d, i.e. \u201cloyal in all things\u201d). Interestingly, v. 11 uses the same descriptor for both children and wife (1 Titus 1:6), namely \u201cdignified\u201d (both using forms of \u03c3\u03b5\u03bc\u03bd\u03cc\u03c2<\/span>).<\/p>\n

A Summary of Paul\u2019s Idea<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is Paul\u2019s point?<\/p>\n

As 1 Tim 3:4\u20135 makes explicit, elders should manage their home in such a way that their wives and children are faithful, honorable, and respectful. The interchange of descriptions (submission, dignified, etc.) and his multiple references to faith(fullness) show that Paul is thinking about character not conversion.<\/p>\n

\n
\"credit:<\/a>
credit: CC\/pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Disastrous Consequences<\/span><\/h1>\n

Here are a few problems with the CUV and ESV\u2019s translating Titus 1:6 to mean \u201cbelieving children\u201d.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Theologically<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If we say a person is disqualified from being an elder because his children do not follow the Lord, what does this imply?<\/p>\n

    It suggests a father has the power to change his child\u2019s heart. This is preposterous for two reasons. First, only God changes hearts. Second, the child\u2019s heart does not reflect on the elder\u2019s character since he cannot control another\u2019s faith.<\/p>\n

    If one accepts the CUV\/ESV, readers might infer that they do have that ability\u2013\u2013to control whether others in fact believe or not believe (rather than God).<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Evangelistically<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Pastors will feel incredible inward pressure to compel or force their children to believe (as if that were actually possible). If a child does not believe in a timely manner, one will be tempted to manipulate a child to \u201cmake a decision\u201d for Christ.<\/p>\n

      At the very least, he\u2019ll likely be content to accept any sign of faith yet without helping the child to probe more deeply his\/her heart. Further discussion is needed to make sure the child does not merely assume (s)he has faith because the parents have faith. If an elder is not careful, he might unwittingly turn a blind eye to his children\u2019s self-deception.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Pastorally <\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        What happens as children grow?<\/p>\n

        Let\u2019s say that a child eventually changes his profession and says he does not believe, what happens to the pastor? Even if the elder has shared the gospel, given a godly witness and urged faith\/repentance, that elder (according to the CUV\/ESV) becomes disqualified from pastoring.<\/p>\n

        This possibility casts a shadow over the pastor\u2019s ministry. The fear of losing one\u2019s job or being discredited for what he can\u2019t control can lead to unhealthy responses. For example, he might compromise his parenting in order to \u201censure\u201d the child does not go wayward (at least outwardly). This could take the form of overly strict discipline or excessive appeasing of the child.<\/p>\n

        Furthermore, the pastor might compromise the church\u2019s theology by affirming a type of \u201ceasy-believism.\u201d He could claim his prodigal child is definitely saved since he \u201cprayed a prayer of salvation\u201d when he was a small child, despite overwhelming contrary evidence the young child never had true faith (but simply wanted to please his\/her parents).<\/p>\n

        \n

        Let me know what you think? Have you run into this issue where you live? Have you ever discussed Titus 1:6 with your local friends?<\/p>\n

        If you don\u2019t use Chinese, how does the Bible in your local language translate this passage?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Save<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        What qualifies a person to be a pastor? Are you aware of a controversial translation in Titus 3 that influences how many Chinese church leaders think about this question? How we interpret the text has important implications (or consequences) for the church. I refer to Titus 1:6. I\u2019ll quote the ESV in context followed by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2368,"featured_media":8701,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chinese-church","category-ecclesiology"],"yoast_head":"\nMust Chinese elders have believing children?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What qualifies a person to be a pastor? 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Originally from Texas, he spent 15 years in East Asia, where he helped found an accredited seminary for Chinese students. He has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and an M.A. in Philosophy (both from Texas A&M), an M.Div (Gordon-Conwell), and a PhD in Theology from SEBTS. His research specializations include biblical contextualization, missiology, and the Bible\u2019s theology of honor and shame. In addition to various academic articles and essays, he has published 5 books, including Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes, The Cross in Context, Seeking God\u2019s Face, One Gospel for All Nations, and Saving God\u2019s Face. 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Thinking Mission.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/#\/schema\/person\/c6033eb278ed95fcd5f10ce3ad21210c","name":"Brad Vaughn","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9bbbad5d972a1a8a5a150c7a99da188d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9bbbad5d972a1a8a5a150c7a99da188d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Brad Vaughn"},"description":"Brad Vaughn (fka \u201cJackson Wu\u201d) currently teaches Humane Letters at the Arete Preparatory Academy in Arizona, having spent many years teaching at several colleges and universities. Originally from Texas, he spent 15 years in East Asia, where he helped found an accredited seminary for Chinese students. He has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and an M.A. in Philosophy (both from Texas A&M), an M.Div (Gordon-Conwell), and a PhD in Theology from SEBTS. His research specializations include biblical contextualization, missiology, and the Bible\u2019s theology of honor and shame. In addition to various academic articles and essays, he has published 5 books, including Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes, The Cross in Context, Seeking God\u2019s Face, One Gospel for All Nations, and Saving God\u2019s Face. 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