Family Systems

One of the best examples of a systemic approach to family and church life comes from, who else, but Shakespeare. The parents of two young and beautiful teenagers tried their best to keep the kids apart after they fell for each other. Raging hormones and teen rebellion combined to keep the youngsters frantically doing everything possible to stay stuck together.

The myth of many conservative Christians is similar. If we but teach our kids certain moral truths then they will certainly follow our orders. If we threaten them with hell fire or other punishment here on earth, so the thinking goes, they will conform perfectly to our desires. It is an unfortunate fact that such children often do the exact opposite of their parent's desires.

There is, in fact, a universal law about such legalistic approaches to life. Legalism, threats and intimidation rarely works unless the law giver is Saddam Hussein. Take a look at the article below about the UMW trying to stop the Marines from parking on their lot.

The United Auto Workers union waved a white flag Monday in its parking skirmish with neighboring reservists, but the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines are not accepting surrender, the Detroit News reports:

Facing intense criticism, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger reversed his decision to ban Marine Corps reservists driving foreign cars or displaying pro-President Bush bumper stickers from parking at the union's Solidarity House headquarters in Detroit.

I made the wrong call on the parking issue, and I have notified the Marine Corps that all reservists are welcome to park at Solidarity House as they have for the past 10 years, Gettelfinger said in a statement.

What's most astonishing about this is the photo that accompanies the Detroit News article. Here's the caption: Tony Camilleri of Dearborn Heights covered up the Chevrolet logo on his Silverado with a Toyota sign as a tribute to the Marines. The UAW has a longstanding policy prohibiting foreign makes from its parking lots.

The UAW's threats actually turned foreign cars into a symbol of patriotism.

Legalism had the opposite of the desired effect.

But this is exactly what the Bible says.

Romans 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase.