Dated January 2nd, 2017
In my last blog entry, David Smith left a comment that deserves further exploration. He stated that his parents, who grew up in rural Tennessee during the Depression, weren’t significantly impacted by the Wall Street crash because their poverty shielded them from it. He observes that while poverty has been a constant in the South since the Civil War, people were generally self-sufficient with their farms, gardens, and livestock, ensuring they had enough to eat.
He contrasts this with the current state of his hometown and many rural communities, which have transitioned from thriving economic centers to struggling towns. This shift, he argues, is largely due to the post-World War II influence of government and large agricultural corporations on the farming industry.
David highlights a prevalent attitude he calls “chronological snobbery,” a term coined by C.S. Lewis, which describes the tendency of each generation to perceive itself as more enlightened and progressive than previous ones. He draws a parallel to how a young person might initially view their father as out of touch, only to realize later in life that their father’s wisdom stemmed from experience and facing life’s realities. He laments that this generational cycle of learning seems to be fading, particularly with the Baby Boomer generation and onward, as they fail to recognize that the prolonged period of prosperity they’ve enjoyed is an anomaly rather than the norm.
He expresses a desire for a potential “Depression 2.0” to expose the flaws in the current crony-capitalist system and shatter the arrogance of the elite. However, he acknowledges that such an event would inflict suffering not only on the arrogant but also on good people.
David concludes with a plea for the Church to recognize the reality of the situation and avoid entanglement in this flawed system. He emphasizes the Church’s responsibility to reflect God’s mercy and wisdom during challenging times rather than becoming victims of a crumbling system.
I appreciate David’s words because they resonate with me. The concept of “chronological snobbery” is something I’ve pondered over, and while time constraints prevent me from delving into it fully, acknowledging its presence in contemporary thought is crucial.
The Wikipedia entry on “chronological snobbery” provides insightful information, quoting C.S. Lewis’s definition: "…the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate common to our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that account discredited."
Lewis further elaborates on this idea, emphasizing the need to understand why something became outdated. Was it disproven, and if so, by whom and through what means? Or did it simply fade away like a trend? He argues that if it’s the latter, it doesn’t speak to its validity. He goes on to say that recognizing this helps us see our own era as just another period with its own set of illusions, often hidden within widely held beliefs that are rarely challenged or defended.
For those unfamiliar, C.S. Lewis was a scholar and once a staunch atheist who embraced Christianity later in life. He not only adopted Christianity personally but also defended it intellectually. Any modern-day atheist who feels superior for dismissing the Bible and its “Christian myths” should explore C.S. Lewis’s apologetic works. A good starting point would be “Mere Christianity.” However, a word of caution—Lewis wrote for individuals capable of reading, critical thinking, and logical reasoning, a demographic I fear is dwindling in this day and age. But I digress.
The Bible itself addresses “chronological snobbery,” most notably in Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus saith the LORD, stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah, a prophet who lived around 600 BC, conveyed God’s message. He urged the Israelites to repent for their sins and return to “the old paths” of adhering to God’s laws. He warned that if they didn’t turn away from their individual and collective wrongdoings, God would bring judgment upon them.
As you can imagine, Jeremiah wasn’t popular for telling everyone they were displeasing God. Due to the pervasive “chronological snobbery” of their time, they ignored his warnings, as indicated in the latter part of Jeremiah 6:16: “But they said, we will not walk therein.”
Consequently, in God’s timing, the Babylonian empire invaded and destroyed the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. The Israelites were taken captive. This event, detailed in Jeremiah Chapter 39, is a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions.
The point is that God doesn’t view “chronological snobbery” favorably, particularly concerning morality. A nation’s moral compass is intertwined with its laws, politics, science, and technology. Moral principles are the foundation that unites all aspects of a culture.
While there’s much more to discuss, I want to emphasize that “chronological snobbery” stems from pride.
Pride is the ultimate “mother sin.” Every sin can be traced back to and is fueled by pride. The Bible clearly states that God despises pride. Yes, God is love, but let’s be clear: God hates pride.
The irony of pride is that it’s easy to spot in others but incredibly difficult to recognize in ourselves. This brings me to a crucial point: one of the most concerning issues I observe in contemporary American Christianity, especially among evangelicals, is their tendency to readily condemn the sins of society while remaining oblivious to or unconcerned with their own.
I’m not primarily referring to “major” sins such as homosexuality, alcohol abuse, adultery, or pornography. I’m highlighting the more subtle sins like anger, holding grudges, selfishness, greed, envy, gossip, and countless other forms of pride, including cultural snobbery.
Being a Christian is a constant battle, and the main adversary isn’t the sin in others, but the sins within us.
These are just some loosely connected thoughts I’ve quickly compiled. However, these reflections, particularly towards the end, represent my personal views and concerns as we enter this new year. I want to express my gratitude to David Smith for inspiring these contemplations.
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