For long periods in history there appears to have been little social experimentation or change. There were breaks in history for advancement either on a grand scale or in tribal situations. On the grand scale were the Greeks, followed by Romans, but both civilizations fell back in the excesses and sins of persons and cultures, from leaders and the populace, and in militarism shown in conquests. With gradual emergence of democracy following the Magna Charta and Renaissance/Reformation, there was generated greater effort to experiment with change pointing to better things for the commoner citizen. For example, late in the nineteenth century the concepts of Social Darwinism grew, gaining even the support of some clergy, including eminent preachers like Henry Ward Beecher, who pressed on with adjustments in his faith, and William Graham Sumner, who became apostate to Christianity. Survival of the Fittest was applied to economics so to develop socialistic approaches, societies planning with new ideas, and the public carried along with various leaders and theorists. As man moved toward perfection there was a gigantic interruption, called World War I. The war challenged the popular motto that man was, every day and in every way, becoming better and better. A few idealists held on, but the Great Depression and World War II sank remaining hopes for those who would apply biological evolutionary concepts to social life. Since that era world tensions suggest that the citizens and leaders of the world are uncertain about what to do. Leaders scramble for answers. There is considerable trial and error in current effort to progress society, even the church.
Men and women will not solve problems because they do not and likely will not in the future, fully acknowledge and manage in the reality of human depravity. They are willing to believe that they are flawed in some ways, but there is not really total depravity. We are our own worst enemy. Fellow beings fight fellow beings. It reveals itself in crime, in failed efforts, in the use of resources to protect mankind from mankind. If larger acknowledgement were made, and the problems squarely confronted, it might serve well in that various procedures, laws and education might save us from ourselves – selfishness, greed, hatred, violence, unlawfulness and the like. Starting with faith for values and education for functioning the society could note that whatever our condition we can make adjustments that make life livable and meaningful. It is not likely that this will be done because of: some antipathy toward any interference from God; selfish interests, even from masses of persons, even religious persons; and, distortions with prescribed values including prayer and humble service to the creation. The majority of persons continue to believe in a Divine Being made impersonal. Omissions, complaints, contradictions, human nature, competitive pluralism, and the inadequacies of humanism interrupt or deny human advancement.
With scriptural guidance, the Judeo-Christian concepts are ideal for general society and government. The pattern could be adapted by man even without Christian faith. It is important, for purposes of eternity, that one confront God and self for the purpose of personal redemption. Nevertheless, one can find excellent government and social well-being by applying the social theory of Scripture. The implications of such a statement seem simplistic, but what can be improved upon from a Bible that argues for good government; human rights; work and service; family cultivation; limited human situation; education; and, individual freedom, health, welfare, and peace? God cares for mankind, even when we do not care for God. Society adopting the recommended government must not interfere with redemptive possibilities. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020