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Honor Your Father and Mother

08/27/2025
Aaro Tolsa (1895–1951) was a Finnish Lutheran pastor and social activist, known especially for his work with forest workers in Lapland during the 1920s and 1930s. He was also the first director of the Rovala Settlement. Aaro Tolsa wrote the book Ihmisen nälkää (“The Hunger of Man,” 1945), in which he describes life in the North without church or pulpit, emphasizing the importance of spiritual work in society. Armas Tolsa (1896–1961) a Finnish Lutheran pastor, theologian, and author, known for his deep spiritual reflections and commitment to social justice. He was the brother of Aaro Tolsa, a prominent figure in Finnish religious and social life. Armas Tolsa's writings, such as Kristuksen puhuteltavana ("Addressed by Christ"), offer profound insights into the human condition and the Christian faith. Aaro and Armas were devoted to nonviolence.
Aaro Tolsa (1895–1951) was a Finnish Lutheran pastor and social activist, known especially for his work with forest workers in Lapland during the 1920s and 1930s. He was also the first director of the Rovala Settlement. Aaro Tolsa wrote the book Ihmisen nälkää (“The Hunger of Man,” 1945), in which he describes life in the North without church or pulpit, emphasizing the importance of spiritual work in society. Armas Tolsa (1896–1961) a Finnish Lutheran pastor, theologian, and author, known for his deep spiritual reflections and commitment to social justice. He was the brother of Aaro Tolsa, a prominent figure in Finnish religious and social life. Armas Tolsa's writings, such as Kristuksen puhuteltavana ("Addressed by Christ"), offer profound insights into the human condition and the Christian faith. Aaro and Armas were devoted to nonviolence.

A Thousand Generations

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9)
"He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations." (Psalm 105:8)

These verses remind us that our lives, at their best, are never isolated. We are part of a long chain in which God's love and guidance flow across generations.

Yet in today's fast-paced world, progress comes swiftly. Technology, inventions, and conveniences multiply. Humanity seems driven to constantly seek and create something newer and better. But in the process, something precious is often lost: respect for our elders and for enduring values.

If we forget the wisdom of past generations and the insight they received from God, we also lose our connection to the blessing God promised to continue for a thousand generations.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise: 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'" (Ephesians 6:1–3)
"If you obey these commandments and keep them, then the Lord your God will show you his faithfulness and uphold his covenant, as he swore to your ancestors. He will love and bless you, prosper you, and make you a great nation. He will bless your children, the fruit of your land, your grain, your wine, and your oil, and multiply your herds in the land he promised to your ancestors." (Deuteronomy 7:12–13)

It is essential to pause before these eternal values—values that never change, that bring blessing rather than robbing the future of us or our children. It is we who must change, not God, nor His Word.

In my work and in society, I see how many children are disobedient to their parents and elders. Respect for older people has nearly vanished.

Why is this?

Perhaps we think we are wiser, that we know better than those who came before us. But pride ultimately leads to our downfall, no matter how successful we may seem outwardly.

If only we would listen to the voice of the older generation. That voice may, in fact, be the voice of God.

Less than a hundred years ago, in 1932, my grandfather Armas Tolsa wrote words that could very well have been written today:

"If Christ were to come...
Christmas tells us an ancient and wonderful truth about the coming of Christ into the world. Poor and without outward splendor, He once came here. Yet the world into which He came erected a cross for Him. What would happen to Him if He arrived in today's world in the same way, or let us say: in that part of the world that bears His name? He would encounter here an outwardly extraordinarily developed world: great cities with skyscrapers, where millions live crowded together, far from the life of healthy nature and far from one another; magnificent palaces of work with ingenious machines; countless department stores and warehouses overflowing with goods and supplies; and above all, planes soaring—the pinnacle of modern technology, transporting people from country to country and from one end of the earth to the other. Yet alongside this outwardly advanced world, He would find the bottomless misery and suffering of the twentieth century: millions lacking daily bread and sustenance, families whose homes and domestic life are beyond description, and long queues of homeless wanderers moving from door to door with defiance and hopelessness in their souls. Further, He would encounter the so-called Christian world in a frenzy of armament: millions of machine guns, thousands of cannons, tons of poison gases and bombs ready to destroy life and spread death and misery. And when He opened the doors of human hearts, He would encounter an immeasurable amount of selfishness, self-interest, hatred of fellow men, pride, and deceitful living. He would have to note how humanity does not live as one great family, but is fragmented into countless parties and groups fighting each other, more or less violently. To this world, Christ would surely have much to say if He were to come into the midst of our modern times. Perhaps He would rejoice at the vast external progress of life, but seeing the misery and suffering that have followed this development, He would surely declare the guiding spirit behind it false and base. Nor could He fail to be appalled by Christendom, which, while claiming God on its lips, still prepares for paths of death and bloodshed. And when He arrived in festive temples, among the faithful, or in some assembly of ministers, perhaps He would request the floor and deliver a speech penetrating to the very core, seasoned with the salt of truth, which in large measure has grown tasteless and lost its power. Would the modern world tolerate such a truth-speaking Christ? Perhaps He would face the same fate as two thousand years ago: Christendom would crucify Him again. Christ does not come today in the same way as in the past. Yet He comes. For He lives in His Word and in timeless truth. And this Word of Christ comes into the tumult of modern life and all its suffering and misery. It is the Word of God, who is Spirit, and whose service is not bound to place, customary religious forms, human races, or denominations, but is worshiped wherever people strive in spirit and truth to follow God's voice. It is a Word of love, moving along the cold paths of the world with suffering, seeking, and sacrifice; a Word of communal life, in which all are brothers and called to serve and help one another. In short: it is the Word of God's kingdom, which is not merely an invisible kingdom, but equally a new order of life among humans, founded on truth and love. In His Word and truth, Christ is crucified amid modern life. Yet this Word is destined to triumph and move toward fulfillment. When? No one knows. How? That too is hidden. One thing is certain: when Christ's Word and truth come to govern human hearts and lives, a profound and thorough transformation will occur, affecting every area of life.    Armas Tolsa

"Honor your father and mother" primarily means honoring God, His commandments, and the order He has established. The teachings of our parents and ancestors, when they spring from God's Word, ultimately come from Him. When we honor our parents and accept their teachings, we are practicing honor toward God Himself.

Thus, the command binds generations together like a silent chain, through which God's blessing flows from one to another. It extends even to a thousand generations, when a profound and thorough change takes place within us, and we guide our children by our own example and humility toward what is right.

Reverend Armas Tolsa was born in Vehkalahti in 1896 and ordained as a pastor in 1920. He first served as a pastor in Ruskeala. In 1923, he joined the Christian Social Work Center Association, Finnish Settlement Movement. From 1932 to 1943 he was the director of the Kemi Workers’ Institute, and from 1944 to 1960 he served as the director of the Kalliola Adult Education Center in Helsinki. He was granted the title of rovasti (honorary senior pastor) in 1953. In Kemi, Reverend Tolsa was active not only in parish duties but also in municipal and other civic responsibilities. He was a member of the city council, chair of the local branches of the Finnish Red Cross and the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, chair of the board of Kemi Vocational School, and inspector of the city’s elementary schools. He also served as a member of the Church Administrative Council. During his time in Kemi, the new settlement house was completed, where he carried out what became the central mission of his life: advancing workers’ education and youth work. He later served for 17 more years as director of the Kalliola Work Center in Helsinki. In 1954, Armas Tolsa represented Finland as head of the Peace Defenders’ delegation to the Soviet Union. His lifelong vision was to bridge the gaps between different spheres of society and to build connections across them. To this goal he dedicated his best strength and remained faithful to it until the very end.
Reverend Armas Tolsa was born in Vehkalahti in 1896 and ordained as a pastor in 1920. He first served as a pastor in Ruskeala. In 1923, he joined the Christian Social Work Center Association, Finnish Settlement Movement. From 1932 to 1943 he was the director of the Kemi Workers’ Institute, and from 1944 to 1960 he served as the director of the Kalliola Adult Education Center in Helsinki. He was granted the title of rovasti (honorary senior pastor) in 1953. In Kemi, Reverend Tolsa was active not only in parish duties but also in municipal and other civic responsibilities. He was a member of the city council, chair of the local branches of the Finnish Red Cross and the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, chair of the board of Kemi Vocational School, and inspector of the city’s elementary schools. He also served as a member of the Church Administrative Council. During his time in Kemi, the new settlement house was completed, where he carried out what became the central mission of his life: advancing workers’ education and youth work. He later served for 17 more years as director of the Kalliola Work Center in Helsinki. In 1954, Armas Tolsa represented Finland as head of the Peace Defenders’ delegation to the Soviet Union. His lifelong vision was to bridge the gaps between different spheres of society and to build connections across them. To this goal he dedicated his best strength and remained faithful to it until the very end.
Aaro Tolsa (1895–1951) was a Finnish Lutheran pastor and social influencer, best known for his work among the forest workers of Lapland in the 1920s and 1930s. He was also the first director of the Rovala Settlement. Aaro Tolsa wrote the book Ihmisen nälkää (“The Hunger of Man”) in 1945, in which he depicts life in the North without the church and the pulpit, emphasizing the importance of spiritual work in society.
Aaro Tolsa (1895–1951) was a Finnish Lutheran pastor and social influencer, best known for his work among the forest workers of Lapland in the 1920s and 1930s. He was also the first director of the Rovala Settlement. Aaro Tolsa wrote the book Ihmisen nälkää (“The Hunger of Man”) in 1945, in which he depicts life in the North without the church and the pulpit, emphasizing the importance of spiritual work in society.
Aaro Tolsa with his family. Between 1923 and 1939, Tolsa visited 431 logging sites and held 1,080 lectures or devotions. Altogether, 44,944 listeners were recorded. The itinerant pastor did not have an easy time in his fieldwork. A cold reception, poor travel connections, primitive living conditions, and freezing winters did not stop the pastor who was devoted to his mission.
Aaro Tolsa with his family. Between 1923 and 1939, Tolsa visited 431 logging sites and held 1,080 lectures or devotions. Altogether, 44,944 listeners were recorded. The itinerant pastor did not have an easy time in his fieldwork. A cold reception, poor travel connections, primitive living conditions, and freezing winters did not stop the pastor who was devoted to his mission.
“The Lumberjacks’ Church” – Rovala House in Rovaniemi. When the wandering lumberjacks finally dared to step inside, the house was full day and night. In 1936, Rovala recorded 7,789 free overnight stays and 7,200 free meals. Tolsa also established an employment service at Rovala. In 1938, it mediated 7,771 jobs — only Helsinki had a busier office. The situation of forest workers improved drastically, and Tolsa rose in the lumberjacks’ esteem at the same pace. The director was called the “lumberjacks’ pastor,” and Rovala was known as the “lumberjacks’ church.” Even many who believed only in their own resin-stained fingers stepped through its doors. Tolsa carried out his calling without compromising his values.
“The Lumberjacks’ Church” – Rovala House in Rovaniemi. When the wandering lumberjacks finally dared to step inside, the house was full day and night. In 1936, Rovala recorded 7,789 free overnight stays and 7,200 free meals. Tolsa also established an employment service at Rovala. In 1938, it mediated 7,771 jobs — only Helsinki had a busier office. The situation of forest workers improved drastically, and Tolsa rose in the lumberjacks’ esteem at the same pace. The director was called the “lumberjacks’ pastor,” and Rovala was known as the “lumberjacks’ church.” Even many who believed only in their own resin-stained fingers stepped through its doors. Tolsa carried out his calling without compromising his values.
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