It’s time for a pop quiz. There is only one question, and it is multiple choice. You at least have a chance at getting it right.
Q: Fill in the blank: Near the end of the president’s term, editors of a major newspaper in the nation’s capitol wrote, “If ever a nation has suffered from the improper influence of a man, the American nation has suffered from the influence of _____________.”
A: Bill Clinton
B: Andrew Jackson
C: Donald Trump
D: George Washington
The column appeared in the Philadelphia Aurora in 1796 in the waning days of George Washington’s presidency. The celebrated Father of Our Country, the singular force behind the victory over King George and the greatest fighting force in the world, and the man whom many wanted as king more than president was assaulted in the press on administration policies and to his horror, personal character.
No president escapes media gaze, and every president and his followers complain about the coverage he receives. Solomon accurately concludes, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Every generation concludes there has never been a time like this. The world has never been this messed up. The government has never been this corrupt. The morals have never been this loose. Children have never been this rebellious. It’s like we’ve forgotten about the flood, the rules of Ahab and Herod, the filth in Corinth, and the defiance of Absalom. Maybe the good ‘ol days were not that good after all.
One consequence of thinking the present time is unlike any other is the mistake the Bible is a relic with no value in a modern world. The writings of Moses and Paul along with the teachings of Jesus cannot have the nuance to navigate the sophistication of the modern mind. The Bible was good for nomads and sheepherders but not for the educated and enlightened.
Ancient vulgarity has nothing on modern arrogance.
We are Christians trying to navigate our world as faithful followers of our Lord. Like all before us, we live this life in a broken world populated by fallen people. The failures of our leaders, the agenda of the powerful, the gullibility of the masses, the lies promoted and believed, and the faithlessness of the church prompt in us a longing for something different, something better. The different and better is in the presence of Jesus. The present morass of deceit and disease can prime us for the future harmony of beauty and blessing.
They were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16).
With every new news cycle and observation of cultural decline, we have the opportunity to set aside the appeal of the now and develop our appetite for what awaits us with Christ in heaven. When we are frustrated by loss of freedom, we wonder at the freedom we’ve yet to experience that awaits us when we are with the Lord.
Live faithful, Christian, and keep your eyes on heaven.
As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.
To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway
Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision