The British Reformed Fellowship (BRF) conference on ‘The Reformed Family – According to the Word of God’ took place in Cardiff from 21–28 July.
The family’s origin was seen to be in creation and even in the Trinity, and its restoration in godliness is through the gospel of grace alone. The addresses warned that the family is not to be idolised, for human marriage is only for this age and not the next (Matthew 22.30), and marriages are a picture of the eternal union between Christ and his beloved church (Ephesians 5.22-33). There are times in the lives of many of God’s people when they must forsake their family for Jesus’ sake (Luke 14.26).
Freshness and faithfulness
The Bible’s teaching on singleness, marriage, divorce and remarriage was boldly set forth. The scriptural calling for godly husbands, virtuous wives, loving parents and obedient children was clearly proclaimed. The pain of childlessness and the wickedness of spousal abuse were not avoided. How the family relates to both the church and Christian education was ably explained. The talks on this beautiful and crucial subject were marked not only by their depth, but also by their faithfulness and freshness. This was uplifting, especially given the secularist onslaught upon the family today.
