The Reformed Doctrine of Messy Houses

“God is a God of order.” How many times this truism has been deployed to get kids and grandkids to clean their rooms is a number known only to the Almighty. It reminds me of another well-known proverb, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” The problem with both is that neither are found in the Bible. The Good Book does, however, say this:

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

(Prov 14:4)

In other words, where there is life and productivity, there is messiness.

Today’s ideals are more along the lines of selfish sterility, what we might call the doctrine of easy cleanism. It doesn’t spark joy. It exalts sleeping around in the place of nuptial commitment. It fuels mass abortion. It encourages willfully childless marriages. The quickest way to a spick and span home, office, life, etc. is not to live or work or share it at all. But where there is life and productivity and relationship, there is mayhem. This is the way.