One is intrigued about the similarities and differences that mark the lives of parents to children and beyond. There are some factors that resist change, such as the basic DNA code in a family. That does not mean the code is so static that no new accents may be found, but there is enough in the code that it may be traced through centuries with confidence about biological accuracy. Tribes of persons may be traced through skeletal remains evaluated for DNA. This evidence also relates to the relationship of each generation to those that preceded it. What the parent (the source) is, and will biologically pass on, will influence the recipients (the children). We are told that if we wish to live long, we should choose our parents well. Long life begets long life. If we knew enough we might find more inherited characteristics than emerging ones. We learn in Christian theology that we inherit a sinful constitution. There is a sure kind of spiritual DNA from the sin of the first father. Does that mean life is rigidly cast for us? DNA does not displace the blessings of God.
We may miss the best life in a mechanistic interpretation of ourselves, wrapping all that we are in the DNA, in the genes, in depravity, in the left or right lobes of the brain, or in the influence of substances on individual conduct. What do we know about humankind? In a study, conducted from a Harvard source, it was discovered that companies operated by founders generally out-performed the market, but companies operated by the descendants of founders under performed. (Follow the Henry Ford family as an example.) What happened? Did the inherited formation fail? For some researchers the answer is in cloning. By cloning they hope to reproduce the first best, and grow it. One wonders about the effort, depending upon procedures.
Writers are intrigued by persons of success and power, of genius and competence, of artistry and performance. They look for causes for eminent achievements. What makes an Einstein, an Apostle Paul, or an Archimedes? And why, with all the similarities to their predecessors, do they not really reproduce themselves? The Bible suggests the pattern. David did not father distinguished sons, except for Solomon. Solomon was groomed for the job. Isaac could not match Abraham. Isaac did well enough having inherited the family farm, but that is traced to inheritance and management. We hear nothing of any import in Moses’ children. Jacob’s children seemed ordinary and not highly admirable – except for Joseph who was prepared for achievement by events and work. Some answers are not in biology but in the blessing of God. We likely do not look in all directions for analysis, therefore may not prepare our progeny to outdistance us. According to C. P. Snow, the contemporaries of Winston Churchill said of the great man that he seemed to be brilliant, had courage and a grand manner, even if he lacked judgment. Snow, looking for secrets of greatness, said that Churchill bore in society, virtues, graces, style, wit, courage, magnanimity, loyalty, and gallantry, which sweetened English life. Franklin Roosevelt, a momma’s boy, and Churchill, unhappy about his parents, demonstrated greatness in openness to trial at problem solving and the lift of human hope in the future. Our future is not in our stars, but in God’s patterns blessed in many ways by God. They will not be cloned. They can be advanced with approval from God. There is an obedience of prayer and devotion, of cooperation and work, of learning and wisdom that when put to test accomplishes providences in human experience. God, the better, is not limited by our generations, the lesser. We are blessed of God, not the reverse. When our research is finished all the answers are not in. We have not accounted for the grace and blessing of God – or disapproval. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020