“The dead and the unborn are as much members of society as the living. To dishonor the dead is to reject the relation of obligation between generations.”
On Rousseau
Let us proceed to tease out some implications here;
1.) Of course this is nothing but the cream that rises to the surface from the doctrine called “Kinism,” which is itself merely Christianity as applied to social order functioning. There is not only a relation between kin who are living but also a relation between kin living and kin who have gone before. Without a honored continuity across the generations man becomes hyper-individualized with no sense of belonging to something greater than himself. This atomistic view of man is that which Carle C. Zimmerman, a Harvard sociologist, warned against in his book “Family and Civilization.” Indeed, I am convinced that Zimmerman would have thoroughly agreed with this observation from Scruton.
2.) Those who deny this truism are violators of the fifth commandment as Scruton’s second sentence clearly communicates. One simply can not deny Kinism and claim Christ. How can we honor our Father and Mother if we refuse to embrace them as present even if they no longer live among us? This is especially true if our Fathers were Christians.
3.) This observation fits in well with Hebrews 11, the Hall of faith. In that passage the recipients of the letter are being encouraged to press on in the faith in light of their Fathers and Mothers faithfulness. The heroes of the faith have passed on and yet we are to live in light of their faithfulness. They being dead, still speak.
4.) The only place left to go if one denies Scruton’s channeling of Edmund Burke is some form of cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism eschews this wisdom in order to embrace the life of the rootless nomad, and the wandering Jew. Yet despite this truth, NAPARC churches are routinely persecuting men who embrace this expression of Kinism as given by Scruton. The most recent casualty is one Rev. Rick Appleton.
4.) Without this principle what evolves is an ugly generational selfishness embraced by each succeeding generation. Without this principle living is only about me, myself, and I. Again, the sense of belonging is almost impossible to re-create once lost.
5.) The only time we have authority to walk away from our forebears or walk away from our children is when our forebears are unfaithful to Christ in their traditions or when our children are unfaithful to Christ and His gracious Law-Word. To have to walk away from either of them for the sake of the King would be gladly done but done as with great tears and heaviness of heart. We would weep over their loss and our loss while rejoicing in gaining the Kingdom.
“5.) The only time we have authority to walk away from our forebears our walk away from our children is when our forebears were unfaithful to Christ in their traditions or when our children are unfaithful to Christ and His gracious Law-Word.”
This is a classic example of “the exception that proves the rule.” Honor your ancestors and cherish your children… except when they are dishonoring or spitting upon God. Because God is your true ultimate progenitor, and your earthly forefathers were merely His instruments in that regard.