Can a man still be an elder if his faithful children have died before him?
Question:
I understand that to be qualified as an elder a man must be the husband of one wife. If the wife dies that man is no longer qualified. The elder must also have believing or faithful children. If the children should die having been faithful their entire lives would that elder then be disqualified?
Answer:
It is an interesting question, to which I'm not certain of the answer. The qualifications for being an elder are listed as one currently possessing (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). What makes it a bit different than that of a wife is that marriage ends at the death of a spouse (Romans 7:2-3), but such is not the case between a father and his children. I can see it reasonably argued that the man still has faithful children even though they have journeyed to the spiritual realm.
Question:
Thanks so much for your response. I look at this question the same way you do. You are correct -- hard to be sure on the answer.
By the way, thanks also for your many topical studies on the web site. I have enjoyed reading through many of your entries.
Answer:
Happy to be of service.
