The Myth of Progress

By Ethan R. Longhenry

That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The past two hundred years have been a blur of technological devel­opment. Few are the aspects of life that have not been radically altered by re­cent innovations. Automobiles and airplanes have entirely changed how we transport ourselves and goods. The telephone, the computer, and the Internet have changed how we communicate with each other and how we are able to work. Heaters, air condi­tioners, stoves, ovens, microwaves, wash­ers, dryers, and other forms of electronic equipment have made the daily activities of life that much more efficient. Advancements in medicine and science have led to better quality of life and a more enhanced under­standing of the world (and the universe) around us.

When seen in terms of the whole of hu­man history, all of these advancements have come in the blink of an eye. Ways of life that existed for hundreds or thousands of years have been irretrievably changed. These changes and advancements have led most in society to take an overly optimistic and rosy view of human potential. This has led to the myth of progress-- the idea that our advancements in the arts and sciences are making us into wiser, better people than our ancestors.

In fact, we have become downright snob­bish about ourselves. Consciously or uncon­sciously, we believe that we are superior to our ancestors. We judge all things by the standard of our own belief systems and cul­tural prejudices. We think and/or speak rather patronizingly about our ancestors: "they did not know any better." "They did not have x or y technology that we have." "We have come to a better understanding of these things." In short, all of these state­ments betray the idea that we think we have progressed so far in the past few genera­tions and thus we are superior. That which was accepted in earlier times was "primitive" or "old-fashioned," and those terms are not used affectionately! How many young people out there believe that their parents are ig­norant fossils-- after all isn't 2009 so radi­cally different and more advanced than, say, 1979 or 1989?

But there is an uncomfortable question we must consider: are we really progress­ing? There is no doubt that we are becom­ing more technologically sophisticated. No one will argue against the idea that our technology is allowing us to have a better understanding of the world around us. But does that mean that we as a species are really "moving forward"?

Despite all of this advancement over the past two hundred years, people in 2009 are still asking the same questions as their fore­fathers did in 1999, 1899, 1499, and 99. Who am I? Why am I here? What am I sup­posed to do with my life? Why do people suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does evil exist? You would think that if we have really advanced so much over the past few hundred years that we would have made some progress on these questions. Yet the range of answers given are little different from those pre­sented by the Greeks 2400 years ago or the Israelites 3000 years ago.

Furthermore, what are the moral chal­lenges of our day? They do not involve people engaging in "ancient superstitions" as much as the same moral hazards that hu­mans have suffered for generations. Drunk­enness remains as much a problem today as was in Solomon's day (cf. Proverbs 20:1). The pain and misery that results from adultery and other forms of sexual im­morality are acutely felt today as it was in previous days (cf. Proverbs 5:3-14, 6:23-35). Divorce ruins homes like it did in the past (Malachi 2:16, Matthew 19:9).

We may not want to admit it, but our tech­nological advancements have not led to that much moral advancement. In fact, our tech­nological advancements have highlighted human tendencies toward sin. Computer technology was harnessed early and often to peddle pornography. Advancements in healthcare give excuse for a lack of self-control and self-discipline in dietary habits. Humans still hate each other, desire to hurt each other, and kill each other, and now get to use more sophisticated technology to kill more people more effectively.

As it has been said, "the more things change, the more things stay the same." The Preacher is right: there is nothing new under the sun. He is not arguing that people cannot discover new technologies or learn new things. He is simply stating a truism: in matters of existence, each generation fol­lows after the past generation, and there is little real advancement. We can see clearly that despite thousands of years of human wisdom accrued by experience, each gen­eration still has to go out and make many of the same mistakes as their fathers. And just as their fathers pleaded with them and warned them, so they will plead with and warn their children, and will likely have the same result!

Ever since the Tower of Babel, humans have wanted to believe that they are going up (cf. Genesis 11:1-4). In reality, humans are the same as they have always been. They are the fallen creation of God who re­quires His love and mercy to be esteemed (cf. Romans 5:1-18). Let us keep a proper view of ourselves, and look to God who knows best! &

“The Christian Walk”

By Bob Myhan

Walking is the most basic form of transportation. It is also good ex­ercise, although some of us only walk as far as the car. In the Scriptures, however, the word “walk” is most often used “figuratively, ‘signifying the whole round of the activities of the individual life’” (Vine). The Bible refers to the “Christian walk” in a variety of ways.

Christians are to “walk worthy of the vo­cation wherewith [they] are called” (Eph. 4:1). The words, “vocation” and “called,” are from the same root in the original; therefore one’s vocation is his calling. Chris­tians are “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1) and their conduct should be deserving of this calling. This means they are to do what God expects of them, no matter how difficult it may be, no matter what the result may be.

“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:14-16, ESV).

Christians are to “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2). If we are not motivated by love we are nothing—no matter how many good deeds we do (1 Cor. 13:1-3). We are, therefore, to

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has ful­filled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ “You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other com­mandment, are all summed up in this say­ing, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10).

Christians are to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). The prefix “circum” means, “around.” The root word,  “spect,” means, “to look.” Obviously, it is a sign of wisdom to watch where one is walk­ing. Yet many seem not to watch where they are going. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Christians are to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:5-7). It is impossi­ble to watch where one is going if one can­not see, and one cannot see if one has no light. The attitude of the Christian should be that of David, who said to God: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Christians are to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), by manifesting “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithful­ness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22, 23). They do this by allowing them­selves to be “led by the Spirit of God” (Rom. 8:14).

Even in the spiritual realm, there are pre­requisites to walking: a goal (Phil. 3:13,14) a beginning (Rom. 6:3-5) and the putting forth of effort (Phil. 2:12). There must also be the realization that we do not intuitively know “how” to walk (Jer. 10:23),

When an individual makes up his mind that his goal is heaven, experiences a “new birth,” and gives “all diligence” to walk as the Lord directs, he will inevitably enter the eternal kingdom (John 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:5-11). &