Describe the lens you use in which to view day-to-day life. What is your worldview? How does that influence your perception of current events?
It might be good to start with a few basic definitions.
Psychology—Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. This can encompass biological influences, environmental factors, or social (peer) pressure. These factors may all affect the way a person thinks, acts, or feels.
Sociology—Sociology is the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society. There tends to be a lot of focus on the study of social problems, so it studies dysfunction quite thoroughly.
I would recommend reading this summary of Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/
Theology—Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
What happens when a society tries to use those first two “ologies” without utilizing the last one? How will that influence decisions and programming related to almost any topic impacting our daily lives?
Psychological and Sociological studies devoid of any Theological component will surely fall short in understanding the trials and tribulations facing an individual in crisis. This is compounded significantly at the societal level when we refuse to acknowledge the role of theology or philosophy in helping to shape the norms and morals for contemporary society. Will anyone in the political sphere be able to stand up and acknowledge the detrimental impact of the last sixty years as we witnessed our legislators and judges stripping away the moral code of society one piece at a time?
I have heard it said that politics is simply a reflection of our culture. Our culture is broken, and it is obvious that our political system is broken as well. Sadly, we as a society, are reaping what we have sown.
Media pundits and politicians are babbling on and on about their usual pet projects or issues. They are very good at never allowing a crisis or tragedy go to waste. That is one consistent behavior we see among the elite.
Which issues are we sure to hear about from one side of the aisle or the other?
The unified lament will be, “I am so tired of people offering thoughts and prayers. That doesn’t change anything.”
Let’s back the train up, even though there is no getting it back into the station. We need to understand how we reached this point in history before we can ever hope to promote common-sense solutions for moving forward in a more productive way. Although we could go back to World War II for even more context, let’s use 1960 as a starting point.
The era of “free love” was upon us. There would be many aspects of the “Leave it to Beaver” way of life that would soon be abandoned. The traditional home portrayed by this show and others had to be replaced with more liberating ideas and values. What are some of the attributes pushed at this juncture?
Do you remember watching a television show in which the Sheriff of Mayberry didn’t carry a gun? In real life, I went to high school in the seventies. It was nothing to see pick-up trucks in the parking lot at school with shotguns and rifles mounted against the rear window. Many of these vehicles were not even locked. The school doors were not locked, the vehicles were not locked, guns and ammunition were accessible, and yet we remained safe. What has changed?
The world has obviously grown more complex. Communication has played a huge role. How has Hollywood influenced the whole world, not just our country? Which shows and movies produced by Hollywood pushed the envelope in regard to our acceptance of "drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll"? Video games with extreme violence became popular. The information superhighway known as the internet came about. Watching hard-core pornography, or watching how-to videos on just about anything sinister you can imagine, all became available at the click of a mouse.
Divorce has fractured many families. Even families that remain intact, both parents are likely working now. (The June Cleaver lifestyle was deemed obsolete.) Financial strain requires two incomes to maintain a certain standard of living. In the midst of it all, the children are being raised by whom?
Bullying at school and at home becomes even more prevalent in a digital world. Anonymity of the aggressor can add to the stress of the victim. Screen time replaces actual human interaction. On and on it goes.
Court decisions like Roe v. Wade in 1973 are celebrated by those who utilize the first two “ologies” without considering the Theology. From a Theological point of view this act encompasses a multitude of factors which require consideration.
All these major transitions in the accepted moral code were happening in society throughout the decades, and we kept removing God further and further from the midst of our daily lives. What did we expect was going to happen?
These are simply a few of the moral norms that were eroded away little by little over the last six decades. This does not include any considerations about the economic challenges that influence behavior. Poverty, crime, and the devaluation of human life get all rolled up into some of these dynamics as well.
Short-term fixes will not bear long-term fruit. At some point, we are going to need some serious spiritual growth. Call it old-fashioned or whatever you want, but we need Christian people to start stepping up and living lives that reflect a sincere desire to be a saint. Right now, the culture is transforming the Church. It is time to reverse that order to what it should be. The Church transforms the culture.
To the families impacted by this latest shooting--you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the devastation you must feel. If my message of condolence seems trivial or trite, I assure you I will continue my mission to proclaim the Gospel message to the best of my ability. Accepting the message of Jesus Christ is our only answer to moving forward in a more just society. Jesus is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." Until we acknowledge and accept that premise, we will continue to suffer needlessly as a society.
I have seen a number of posts on social media that state, "We have become desensitized to the violence." I would take it much further than that. We have simply become desensitized to sin.
"'Forty years I endured that generation.' I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways.' So I swore in my anger, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" (Psalm 95: 10-11)
It might be good to start with a few basic definitions.
Psychology—Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. This can encompass biological influences, environmental factors, or social (peer) pressure. These factors may all affect the way a person thinks, acts, or feels.
Sociology—Sociology is the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society. There tends to be a lot of focus on the study of social problems, so it studies dysfunction quite thoroughly.
I would recommend reading this summary of Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/
Theology—Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
What happens when a society tries to use those first two “ologies” without utilizing the last one? How will that influence decisions and programming related to almost any topic impacting our daily lives?
Psychological and Sociological studies devoid of any Theological component will surely fall short in understanding the trials and tribulations facing an individual in crisis. This is compounded significantly at the societal level when we refuse to acknowledge the role of theology or philosophy in helping to shape the norms and morals for contemporary society. Will anyone in the political sphere be able to stand up and acknowledge the detrimental impact of the last sixty years as we witnessed our legislators and judges stripping away the moral code of society one piece at a time?
I have heard it said that politics is simply a reflection of our culture. Our culture is broken, and it is obvious that our political system is broken as well. Sadly, we as a society, are reaping what we have sown.
Media pundits and politicians are babbling on and on about their usual pet projects or issues. They are very good at never allowing a crisis or tragedy go to waste. That is one consistent behavior we see among the elite.
Which issues are we sure to hear about from one side of the aisle or the other?
- We need more gun laws.
- We need better mental health services.
- We need better security at our schools.
- We should arm the teachers.
The unified lament will be, “I am so tired of people offering thoughts and prayers. That doesn’t change anything.”
Let’s back the train up, even though there is no getting it back into the station. We need to understand how we reached this point in history before we can ever hope to promote common-sense solutions for moving forward in a more productive way. Although we could go back to World War II for even more context, let’s use 1960 as a starting point.
The era of “free love” was upon us. There would be many aspects of the “Leave it to Beaver” way of life that would soon be abandoned. The traditional home portrayed by this show and others had to be replaced with more liberating ideas and values. What are some of the attributes pushed at this juncture?
- Sex outside of marriage
- Contraception
- No-fault divorce
- Drug usage
- The Vietnam War then brought additional components into the scenario
Do you remember watching a television show in which the Sheriff of Mayberry didn’t carry a gun? In real life, I went to high school in the seventies. It was nothing to see pick-up trucks in the parking lot at school with shotguns and rifles mounted against the rear window. Many of these vehicles were not even locked. The school doors were not locked, the vehicles were not locked, guns and ammunition were accessible, and yet we remained safe. What has changed?
The world has obviously grown more complex. Communication has played a huge role. How has Hollywood influenced the whole world, not just our country? Which shows and movies produced by Hollywood pushed the envelope in regard to our acceptance of "drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll"? Video games with extreme violence became popular. The information superhighway known as the internet came about. Watching hard-core pornography, or watching how-to videos on just about anything sinister you can imagine, all became available at the click of a mouse.
Divorce has fractured many families. Even families that remain intact, both parents are likely working now. (The June Cleaver lifestyle was deemed obsolete.) Financial strain requires two incomes to maintain a certain standard of living. In the midst of it all, the children are being raised by whom?
Bullying at school and at home becomes even more prevalent in a digital world. Anonymity of the aggressor can add to the stress of the victim. Screen time replaces actual human interaction. On and on it goes.
Court decisions like Roe v. Wade in 1973 are celebrated by those who utilize the first two “ologies” without considering the Theology. From a Theological point of view this act encompasses a multitude of factors which require consideration.
- What is the purpose of marriage and the sexual act?
- How does contraception and abortion encourage infidelity?
- How does the violence in the womb translate into the rest of society?
- How does contraception and abortion enable human traffickers to get away with their trade more easily?
All these major transitions in the accepted moral code were happening in society throughout the decades, and we kept removing God further and further from the midst of our daily lives. What did we expect was going to happen?
These are simply a few of the moral norms that were eroded away little by little over the last six decades. This does not include any considerations about the economic challenges that influence behavior. Poverty, crime, and the devaluation of human life get all rolled up into some of these dynamics as well.
Short-term fixes will not bear long-term fruit. At some point, we are going to need some serious spiritual growth. Call it old-fashioned or whatever you want, but we need Christian people to start stepping up and living lives that reflect a sincere desire to be a saint. Right now, the culture is transforming the Church. It is time to reverse that order to what it should be. The Church transforms the culture.
To the families impacted by this latest shooting--you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the devastation you must feel. If my message of condolence seems trivial or trite, I assure you I will continue my mission to proclaim the Gospel message to the best of my ability. Accepting the message of Jesus Christ is our only answer to moving forward in a more just society. Jesus is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life." Until we acknowledge and accept that premise, we will continue to suffer needlessly as a society.
I have seen a number of posts on social media that state, "We have become desensitized to the violence." I would take it much further than that. We have simply become desensitized to sin.
"'Forty years I endured that generation.' I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways.' So I swore in my anger, 'They shall not enter into my rest.'" (Psalm 95: 10-11)
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