Progressivism

I have often tried to understand why a whole culture, with its politicians and media out front, is so content to naively wade deeper into debt. Somewhere at the root of the thinking behind this is the philosophy of “progressivism”, that is that we just gotta be getting better and better. I hadn’t thought of this until I noticed my son always referring to the “left” as “progressives”. It seems like a good thing to be, just as being “gay” or “liberal” or “pro-choice”. Of course this is all marketing spin and rhetoric, as is most of the election process. (following the US debates just convinces me again of this latter thought). But the idea that we can have today whatever we want, and that it will be paid for down the road has to be linked to an underlying assumption of how the world works.

Last year I finally got around to Darwin’s Origin of Species, and was interested to see this philosophy of “progressivism” permeated the work. Darwin essentially seemed to believe that all environmental change was good because it must ultimately result in species that were more fit. Of course every environmentalist today would cringe at that, but in that thought is the notion of “progress”. Marx took the same idea, and applied it to social and political processes. And these assumptions are rooted in us generally in the West.

The other assumption, which is linked to the first, is that people do what we do as a reaction to our environments. This is social Darwinism, but is so ingrained that there seems little reason to challenge it. I’ve been reading recently some creationist arguments regarding how environments do not produce adaptive change in creatures, but rather it is the built-in engineering of creatures that allows them to modify both themselves and their offspring to make the best of changing environments. “Progressives” believe that we will produce more humane people by legislating an optimal social environment for them. When there is a deviation of behaviour, it points to a failure of the social engineers to design the perfect social environment.

I appreciate the first premise in the local conservative candidate’s brochure, that is that (even though a just society tries to care for the weak) each individual is first responsible for their own provision and actions.

Collective bargaining, whether for mill-workers or doctors, seems to try to impose an artificial pressure on what goods and services should be worth. This gives the illusion that the workers are getting more return for their time, whereas in reality it just fuels the necessary inflation to keep people buying stuff we don’t need today, hoping it will be easier to pay for tomorrow, and somehow convince us all that the emperor’s clothes are indeed beautiful. -philw

Residential School Abuse

Aboriginals in Canada continue to make issue of the abuses suffered by them or their parents in the residential school system, and continue to receive apology and financial compensation for them. The basis for the complaints involve being forcibly taken from their homes and villages to be placed in the residential schools, having a worldview forced upon them which was contradictory to that of their families, being forced to learn and speak in a different language, being treated harshly physically and emotionally by teachers, and being subject to sexual exploitation by both school staff and fellow residents. The claim is that this treatment has resulted in a lifetime of self-abuse, alcohol and drug dependency, and family break-up.

While recognizing that real and egregious abuses have occurred in all social structures throughout all cultures, and need to be exposed and corrected, the above scenario of systematic subjugation and abuse should be interpreted with some caution. The original intent was to create one new country with a common language (actually two), a common law and government, and a common identity. Aboriginals, originally protected as “status Indians” on reserves, were expected to learn French or English, become literate, receive religious education, learn a trade or profession, and learn to live under a democratic rule of law, in order to become Canadian citizens. Of these goals, one might question the religious education part, but still need to recognize that our very successful western common law was, and still is, based on Judeo-Christian worldview and principles, even if individuals do not accept the spiritual religious aspects.

Immigrants to Canada in the early 1900’s also were forced to learn French or English, were treated harshly emotionally and physically, and to learn the same things expected of aboriginals. The whole approach to instruction and discipline in that culture was much more rigid than today, with harsher consequences for those who would not comply. While our current culture of relativism and pseudo-tolerance recoils at this, it was a process that provided this generation with the comforts and prosperity unimaginable to previous generations. Children of all backgrounds continue to be required to leave their families and forcibly learn the prevailing dogma, even if it conflicts with their home culture. Rather than religious education, it is now secular humanism which demands total allegiance in all aspects of the educational system. Rather than unruly children being physically disciplined (which was the experience of all school children, not just aboriginals), those students who would have been interested to learn, now have to compromise to accommodate those who are not, dumbing down the whole system.

Sexual abuse is a unique aspect, although it is frequently brought in to add to the emotional impact. Incestual sexual abuse is not uncommon in aboriginal communities, just as in other communities where it is not effectively controlled. Claims that this practice was in fact learned from residential schools are unfounded. Having children living in group homes does provide an extra opportunity for early sexual experimentation and abuse by the older ones on the younger, providing the same for adults responsible for the care of these children. But inappropriate sexualisation of children has not stopped, and is now systematized in public education. Children are subjected to sexual content through media from their earliest memories, and commercial interests exploit this for their own gain. The state education system teaches children that all forms of sexual expression are equally valid provided they are not perceived to be forced on someone or take advantage of those who are younger or vulnerable.

Taking children from their parents’ homes to live in such a setting for the purpose of education is questionable, but at times the only realistic way of providing that function. Many parents today send their children, not always happily, to residential schools, with all of the risks and benefits intrinsic to that system. A big difference in the case of Canadian aboriginals is that the parents were often not in agreement with the process. The alternative would have been to allow aboriginal communities to continue as illiterate hunting and gathering societies, dwindling to extinction, while the surrounding world advanced technologically through the 19^th and 20^th centuries.   A similar argument would be applied today, with universal public support, on any family who wanted to raise their children off the grid, to just enjoy nature and forgo modern education and technology. Home schooling is still allowed in this country, provided that the parents demonstrate the children are receiving an education which surpasses the public system, which is not hard to do. That was not an option in Canadian aboriginal communities a century ago.

Rather than self-righteously condemn practices of previous generations according to our current perceptions and norms, we would be better advised to recognize and correct perversions and abuses that our own culture is fostering.

-philw July 2012
See also "Boarding School Syndrome" on British kids' experiences.

Sold His Birthright

See to it … that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. ^Heb.12:16

It’s amazing how a man, in any phase of his life, could risk everything he has ever worked and hoped for, his wife and family, his job, his respect in the community, his respect for himself, his relationship with God, his very health and life, for the sake of one brief sexual encounter. Yet it does not seem so unusual to hear of politicians or pastors suddenly brought to the end of a promising career in just this way, not to mention the countless painful personal disasters that never make the news. While the story of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew might make us self-righteously shake our heads in disbelief, this comment from Hebrews uses it as a warning against sexual immorality rather than eating stew, although the two issues are not unrelated.

How should we respond to this? It must evoke humility in men in particular. When we see others fall in this area, we can only assume that we have the same potential. It also gives reason for great care as we work alongside others in leadership, to be aware that they too are susceptible. Since it is so risky to get oneself into that crucial moment of temptation, we can be circumspect about being aware of the risks, and avoid even contemplating getting ourselves into a situation where men stronger than we have failed. Women as well can have a vital role, not growing in contempt for men, as self-contempt is part of the dynamic that gets men into risk behaviour, but rather increasing in respect for themselves, for their relationship with men, and for this powerful aspect of our human experience.

-philw- july 2012

Pastors and Priests

If a pastor were to perform all the functions that everyone in his congregation desired, he would likely have two or three full time jobs. Not only are there unrealistic expectations for what the pastor is to do, but also what he is to be. We all have a desire to have a priest somehow helping us make it through. These priests are supposed to have some special connection, if not with the Living God, then with whatever metanarrative resonates with us, the true meaning of life, or the "other world". As such he/she can be a traditional church priest, or any other religion priest, a scientist, politician, therapist, or even celebrities that people fawn over believing that they have risen to the next level and know what it’s all about. Having assigned this role with or without the priest's knowledge, we can also take on the role that we would like our “priest” to perceive us to be, and can be as dishonest about who we are as we pressure him to be about himself. But it’s a terrible thing to make our pastor our priest, and then pile expectations on him to be something he can never be. The pastor is then tempted to put on an act to conform with the expectations of those who are paying his salary and telling him he is doing a good job. -philw-

Good, Like a Medicine

GOOD, LIKE A MEDICINE

Thoughts from Proverbs on Being Whole

CBC Emo, Feb. 27, 2012

“c/o” is a common medical chart abbreviation for “complaining of”, or “what is a patient’s reason for coming to the doctor?”  Over the past 35 years I’ve heard several 100,000 “c/o”s. They could possibly be summarized by, “I’d like to feel good.” Presented with the options of being “healthy” (hale or whole to use old fashioned terminology) as opposed to feeling “good”, our first reaction is go for the feeling. There was an early psychology experiment showing that if a monkey could press a button to give direct pleasure to its brain, it would press that all day to the neglect of the food button, and starve itself. The Proverbs help to balance our sense of needs and wants, our feelings of wellness and its counterpart “dis-ease”, including what leads to them.

WELLNESS IS BUILT ON WISDOM AND TRUTH

It is easy to make fun of “old wives’ tales” which have admittedly fostered their share of groundless notions about what we must or mustn’t do to feel well, but both mainstream and so-called complementary medicine have been as guilty of imposing on a fearful clientele their imaginative notions based on shaky theories. Sometimes the best defence of a treatment might be no better than, “It doesn’t seem to do any harm.” Over the past 15 years or so, the standard in medicine has been called “evidence based”, focused on forcing proponents of an idea to demonstrate what proof they have for it. In other words, is this dogma really true and how can we know? The postmodern philosophy of each person having their own “truth” just does not work in applied science.

Like all of Scripture, the Proverbs appeal frequently to “truth” as the only basis on which to build our lives and wellness.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

           for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. ^3:1,2

Sound teaching, upright living, and wisdom are given as a means to a long and peaceful life. Following this introduction are examples of practicing steadfast love, faithfulness, trusting and acknowledging God, humility, and honoring God with your wealth.

           Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

           It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. ^3:7,8

In 3:17 and 24 are given added benefits of pleasantness and peace, and a sweet sleep. Can’t you just picture an ad for a tonic that would give you a long, pleasant and peaceful life, healing to your flesh, refreshment to your bones, and a sweet sleep, all for just $29.95 (or 2 bottles if you order right away)?  But this is no quick fix snake oil.

           The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

                    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

           For by me your days will be multiplied,

                    and years will be added to your life. ^9:10,11

           The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

                   but the years of the wicked will be short. ^10:27

           The fear of the Lord leads to life,

                    and whoever has it rests satisfied;

                    he will not be visited by harm. ^19:23

           A wise man is full of strength,

                    and a man of knowledge enhances his might, ^24:5

Wisdom and fear of the Lord are means to strength and a long and satisfied life. But, as we’ve heard before, these are proverbs, generally true principles, and not a magic formula for making our Creator do what we want. They are not intended to be something one can get in a bottle, or tack on to a life that is opposed to God. A life centred on a profound awe and worship of the living God is built on different foundations than one that is centred on pleasing self. But the Lord Jesus died relatively young, completely in His Father’s will. And so Paul’s claim of “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” remains true.

Most of us have a hope that there is some extra we can easily add on to make up for our “little” vices and indiscretions, or even for the weaknesses we have inherited. “Isn’t there a pill for that?” There has always been a market for snake oil, easy remedies for whatever ails you. These have changed with technology, and we are blessed to have many helpful aids to promote health and curb disease, but the notion that we can add some supplement, whatever the source, that is supposed to just improve our vitality, cleanse us of toxins, and make us feel good, remains a fantasy. In contrast, a life built on wisdom and fear of the Lord, not an easy add-on but a fundamental life change, will practice self-discipline, moderation, doing all “for the glory of God”, and can expect the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds.

APPETITE IS GOOD, BUT OVERINDULGENCE LEADS TO INDIGESTION

I remember seeing those big words, “Indulgence” and “Indigestion” on a “Snakes and Ladders” game when I was a kid. I didn’t know what they meant, but could get an idea from the pictures what the “snake” was about. Moderation would be the commonest theme of the Proverbs as they pertain to our health. The temptation to want to feel good more than be whole is especially brought in focus here.

     The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

                   but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. ^10:3

     The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

                    but the belly of the wicked suffers want. ^13:25

When The Rolling Stones in 1965 sang “I can’t get no satisfaction” they may have been bemoaning the trivializing and commercializing of intimate relationships in the West, but sadly it spoke to a culture that felt justified in grasping ever for more, while enjoying it less. It was also a sad confession of the truth in these verses that when our greatest treasure is feeding our appetites, we are frustrated and dissatisfied.

Proverbs 5 has an extended description of a life consumed with sexual gratification,

                    …and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed…^5:11

This is likely referring to physical disease acquired through a promiscuous life, but not to exclude the inward pain of loneliness and disappointment that also comes with it. Chapter 7 describes a foolish young man enticed away by a prostitute:

All at once he follows her,

                    as an ox goes to the slaughter,

          or as a stag is caught fast

                     till an arrow pierces its liver;

          as a bird rushes into a snare;

                    he does not know that it will cost him his life. ^7:22,23

In contrast, in 5:18-19, we see “filled with delight” and “intoxicated with her love” when there is faithfulness in marriage.

We don’t seem to pass a day in our lives without thinking about food. Even if we really enjoy our jobs, at the end of the day, we expect to be able to put some groceries on the table. Not surprisingly, the Proverbs, encourages us to enjoy food as God’s blessing, and to work for what we get:

A worker’s appetite works for him;

                    his mouth urges him on. ^16:26

One of the commonest “c/o’s” to bring people to a doctor’s office is fatigue. One study reported that 15% of adults aged 18 to 50 coming to a doctor’s office for any reason, if asked, would state they suffered from fatigue. The commonest causes of fatigue in our culture are physical inactivity, boredom, and depression. I think my father’s favourite proverb was from Thessalonians, “If a man will not work, neither let him eat.” And Proverbs warns that:

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,

                    and an idle person will suffer hunger. ^19:15

Appetites spur us on, but we are advised to control them:

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

                    observe carefully what is before you,

           and put a knife to your throat

                    if you are given to appetite.

           Do not desire his delicacies,

                    for they are deceptive food. ^23:1-3

 Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,

        for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,

                    and slumber will clothe them with rags. ^23:20,21

Contrary to what the ads might tell us, it is not so much the quantity or what brand of food or drink that determines the quality of our lives and how much we enjoy the meal, rather it is the quality of our lives that allows us to enjoy these gifts.

Better is a dry morsel with quiet

                    than a house full of feasting with strife. ^17:1

Wine gets special mention. “Wisdom” is said to prepare a meal for all who seek, and invites us to

“Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ^9:5

But beware:

Be not among drunkards

                    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,

           for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,

                    and slumber will clothe them with rags. ^23:20,21

         

And making some fun of people who over-indulge:

          Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

                    Who has strife? Who has complaining?

          Who has wounds without cause?

                    Who has redness of eyes?

           Those who tarry long over wine;

                    those who go to try mixed wine.

           Do not look at wine when it is red,

                    when it sparkles in the cup

                    and goes down smoothly.

           In the end it bites like a serpent

                    and stings like an adder.

           Your eyes will see strange things,

                    and your heart utter perverse things.

           You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,

                    like one who lies on the top of a mast.

           “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;

                    they beat me, but I did not feel it.

          When shall I awake?

                    I must have another drink.” ^23:29-35

I have often thought of putting that passage on the wall in my office, but so far have hesitated. We have to watch our own heart attitude when we start thinking we are a class above someone struggling with an addiction. It is humbling to start to recognize our own addictions that we love and hate, and could quit “any time I want”. But, no matter how badly we might feel at times, like the poor person described above, we never really want to enough to quit.

Honey also gets special mention, although maybe chocolate would be more apropos today.

My son, eat honey, for it is good,

                    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. ^24:13

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

                    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. ^25:16

                One who is full loathes honey,

                    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. ^27:7

 Hunger is the best flavour enhancer. Next time you see an ad enticing you with yet another way to eat and drink more than you should, recall that over-indulgence is the greatest health problem in our country, and ask yourself if they are talking about hunger or gluttony.

Other good things that we can get too much of are sleep:

             A little sleep, a little slumber,

                    a little folding of the hands to rest,

           and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

                    and want like an armed man. ^{24:33, 34}

and even singing:

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart

                    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

                    and like vinegar on soda. ^25:20

When you are trying to cheer someone up, it is wise to first listen to what is weighing them down rather than adding to their pain by letting them know how good you feel.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH  AFFECTS PHYSICAL HEALTH

The idea of “holistic” health and wellness gets a lot of attention mainly as an alternative to what is perceived as mechanistic and narrowly focused conventional Western medicine. Of course this is nothing new. The traditional Objibway view man as having four aspects: Body, Spirit, Mind / Will, and Emotion, often portrayed in the “Medicine Wheel”. This is consistent with the Biblical view of man as well, although people often lump mind, will, and emotion as “soul”. I will not forget hearing a missionary’s list of ailments quickly followed by, “I don’t have a spiritual problem,” as though one could somehow separate our experience of these spheres. This is particularly relevant when there are so many external, physical remedies offered for what are often ailments of the spiritual “heart”. It’s a bit confusing in the context of health and disease, talking about “heart” since generally in Scripture the term is used to indicate the inner person, whereas disease of the physical heart is so common in our culture. Prior to the ready access to overabundance of food and devices that remove the need to walk, it was not so. Scripture also use our kidneys (“reins” in the KJV) as a metaphor for inner emotion. Maybe love songs should use “kidneys” instead of “heart” as their metaphor?  

Instead of trying to feel well inside by taking some external potion,  Proverbs view of man is more that our physical health is dependent on the spiritual.

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

                    for from it flow the springs of life. ^4:23

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,

                    but envy makes the bones rot.^14:30

A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

       but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.^15:30

A joyful heart is good medicine,

                    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.^17:22

A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

                    but a crushed spirit who can bear?^18:14

It is impressive how some people are able to carry on, even able to encourage others, despite terrible physical challenges, pain, and disabilities. It is not so much our ability or disability that enables or disables, but more often the attitude of our spirit. Even those who appear to be on top of things can be withering inside. A person may go from loud laughter to sobs in seconds.

Even in laughter the heart may ache,

                    and the end of joy may be grief.^14:13

What are influences that can make the heart sick or well?  We can be strengthened or brought down by those closest to us:

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

                    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. ^12:4

There are several mentions of a wife having a particular power to discourage and bring down her husband. While other Scriptures place a very high standard on how men are to treat their wives, possibly the role of wives is stressed because men are more vulnerable to losing hope if they do not feel the support of their wives, or feeling they can conquer the world if their wives love them.

Fear and worry, especially persistent anxiety when we do not know what we are afraid of, can eventually make the heart sick, and the whole body with it.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,

                    but a good word makes him glad. ^12:25

Proverbs also has some advice for how our words can help bring health to others.

…good news refreshes the bones. ^15:30

             Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

                    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.^16:24

Or to make people ill:

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

                    they go down into the inner parts of the body. ^18:8

Words spoken, whether from a friend, a co-worker, a counselor, a doctor or nurse, might have a greater impact on our health than the medicine we bought. We have been advised to cough or sneeze into our sleeves to prevent spreading our sicknesses to others. How easy it is to add to someone’s fear and anxiety by letting out careless words that infect as badly as germs, and cause as much illness.

THE LORD IS OUR HEALER

Like much of the wisdom in Proverbs, we’ve seen both general observations, and some specific advice about health, but when we get to the underlying problem of a sick spirit and a sinful heart, it might leave us feeling more hopeless than when we began. After all, “How can you mend a broken heart?” But, also like the other themes we’ve studied in Proverbs, be wise, work diligently, treat your neighbours right, discipline your words and everything else,  the Lord does not leave us to thrash about helplessly. First of all, He actually knows how we feel:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ^Heb.4:1,16

“Weakness” is from the Greek “asthenia” which is used in medical terminology today, and in Scripture is also translated as “infirmity” or “sickness” of body, mind, or spirit. Some of you may have been frustrated by being restricted to only one “c/o” when you visited a doctor, which sort of means you have to know what the problem is before you go. With the Lord, we do not have to figure out if we have a physical, emotional, or spiritual disorder. We are invited to bring all our complaints, no time limit.

Not only that, but when Jesus spoke about bringing good news, sight to the blind and freedom to the captives, He was addressing not the symptoms but the real cause. On the cross, He dealt with the main problem of our separation from Himself:

     But he was wounded for our transgressions;

          he was crushed for our iniquities;

     upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

         and with his stripes we are healed.^Is.53:4,5

Isaiah was prophesying here about how through the Messiah who would take on our disease, we could be made whole. Now, we look back to this event of the cross, and Jesus’ invitation to “whoever believes in me.” This “believing” is easy to understand while still thinking of our doctoring experiences. If someone says, “I believe in my doctor / chiropractor / naturopath / therapist / etc” it means they trust in their diagnoses and follow their advice. If someone claims they believe in their provider, but do not follow the prescription, then they don’t.

In this life, regardless of what our healthcare providers or healthy lifestyles do for us, we will eventually become “infirm” and die. Even Lazarus, raised from the dead by the Great Physician, eventually died. But in Christ, the worst case scenario is, as Paul called it, “gain”. So, even while our bodies are failing us, we can experience that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”^Phl.4:7

GOOD, LIKE A MEDICINE

What then do we learn about health and disease from Scripture?

-          Wellness is built on truth and wisdom.

-          Appetites are good, but over-indulgence leads to indigestion.

-          A sick spirit is more likely the cause of physical disease than the other way round.

-          Jesus has taken on Himself our disordered minds, bodies, and spirits, and offers “abundant life” in their place. And when our physical shell finally comes to die and perish in the ground, we look forward to being made whole in every sense.

-philw- February 2012