S2E13 Hate Your Parents (Luke 14:25-26)

Part 6 of Protect Your Noggin with Jesus

Obviously, the way of Jesus invites us to love everyone, and this includes your parents. Moreover, it is good to seek wise counsel from people who have lived longer than you have. But Jesus teaches that it is important for you to follow what you believe to be good, true and beautiful, regardless of what your parents, teachers, and religious authorities might say. After seeking the wisdom of others, you as an individual are invited to think what you think you should think, believe what you believe you should believe, and do what you think you should do.

Luke 14:25-26

25. Massive crowds traveled along with their rabbi Jesus. Turning to the throng, he said: 26. “If anyone comes to me but doesn’t hate their father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—they are unable to be my follower.”

 The word for “hate” is miseó (μισέω). It can mean roughly the same thing as “hate” in English, but it also can mean “love less” when comparing two things. In this case, it might mean that we need to love the way of God more than the ways of our nation, church, ancestors, or immediate friend group. It can also mean to “renounce” in a symbolic way, as when one renounces citizenship in a former country and swears allegiance to a new country.

 Jesus also challenges traditional family obligations in Matthew 12:46-50.

Here’s the C.S. Lewis essay mentioned by Jeff.

Here are some of the discussion questions from the chapter (you can get pre-release drafts of chapters fortnightly by becoming a patron). 

1. If you plan to get married and/or have children in the future, what aspects of your own upbringing do you plan to avoid when you become a parent?

 2. What if, after serious spiritual reflection and study, you came to the conclusion that your favorite religious teacher or mentor was wrong about an important topic? Could you bring yourself to contradict them? Could you bear the emotional pain of leaving his or her circles if necessary?

 3. If the approval of others weren’t a factor, would you do something different for a living?

 4. Are you pursuing or doing something to prove to the world or to your parents (living or dead) that you are a success, could you let go of this need? Could you change your life path to pursue something you are passionate about rather than fulfilling others expectations of you? If not, what is holding you back?

Also, this might be a good time to ring your folks and let them know that you love them. Peace!