Those of us acquiring and editing content for The Gospel Coalition want to help church leaders respond to the unique challenges of the present with the unchanging truth of God’s Word. That’s why we try to be attuned to trends that we see among members of our own churches.

In contemporary Western society it’s increasingly common for adult children to go “no contact” with parents. Because this trend seems to be growing in the church as well, we’ve talked often in editorial meetings about how to address it. We’ve published articles and a book to provide practical, biblical help for parents coping with family estrangement.

We also recognize the need for resources that speak to the adult child considering this step. But before we apply the Bible’s commands, we need to rightly understand them. “Honor your father and your mother” sounds simple, but it becomes a lot more complex once you’ve left your parents’ household.

That’s why I’m grateful for the Carson Center’s recent article “Honor Your Father and Mother” by Thomas Keene. It’s the opposite of a “hot take.” It is a patient explanation of what this biblical command means in its context and for our lives. It’s the sort of thing a pastor can save in a file for when a church member comes for advice or a Sunday school teacher can use to prepare a class on the Ten Commandments.

God’s Word doesn’t change, but it is living and active and always relevant to our lives.