Messages From the Cross: “Who Is My Mother? Who Is My Brother?
Was Jesus telling us to abandon our families?
“…then one said to Him, “Look Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is my mother and my brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother ”~Matthew 12:47–50 NKJV
Gregg A. Ten Elshof, in his book Confucius For Christians, postulates that learning from Confucius is not a hinderance to Christianity. Learning about Eastern Philosophy literally enhanced and deepened his relationship with Christ. Far too often, we are taught to fear Eastern Philosophy (the author wonders why we even use terms like East and West and is it truly East and West?).
The author does not suggest we abandon Christianity or mix it with other beliefs. There’s certainly no harm in learning different philosophies though.
