…and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: (Daniel 12:1)
If we stop to synthesize humanity, we soon recognize that at our core, we are most focused on our temporal needs. We live in an instant gratification society and that which can affect our present-day experience is of paramount concern. Maslow’s 1943 theory on Hierarchy of Needs identifies the human psychology prioritizing needs into five categories.
Physiological Needs
a. Basic survival requirements: food, water, air, shelter, clothing, sleep.Safety Needs
a. Security and stability: physical safety, health, employment, resources, property, predictable environment.
3. Love and Belonging
a. Social connection: friendships, family relationships, intimacy, sense of community.
4. Esteem
a. Respect and recognition: self-esteem, achievement, status, confidence, appreciation by others.
5. Self-Actualization
a. Personal growth: realizing one’s full potential, creativity, pursuit of meaning, morality, problem-solving.
What is surprisingly missing in this hierarchy is the human need of higher purpose and salvation. Though in the 1960’s Maslow added a sixth need that of Self-transcendence. And admittedly there are spiritual overtones in his sixth need, however, his perception of higher power avoided religion or salvation and was purely limited to psychological value.
Ultimately postmodernism influenced society to discount the need for religion and salvation in direct contrast to Christ’s admonition. Jesus warned us to not focus on our temporal needs but to be watchful for efforts and influences affecting our salvation.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).
We Were off to a Good Start
The US was founded on Judeo-Christian principals and morals. Where citizens are created by God, endowed with unalienable rights, and ultimately with moral obligations to facilitate a just society. This social experiment that we call the United States Constitution represents a system rooted in a collective desire to trust the “goodness” in people to want that which benefits society over that which benefits themselves.
Wisely, Thomas Jefferson feared that it would only be a matter of time before the American form of government degenerated into a form of elective despotism. In his 1785 publication, Thomas Jefferson wrote in his work notes on the State of Virginia, that "An elective despotism was not the government we fought for."
Alexis de Tocqueville in his book, Democracy in America, advanced the idea of indifference to public life. Where a democratic society fixated on individual concerns and "petty, paltry pleasures" creates an opening for government overreach. When citizens are content for the government to manage all their affairs, they willingly surrender their independence.
That is, as society grows fixated on their personal needs and desires, i.e. efforts to pursue egocentrism affords the government opportunity to expand influence and control. As the perceived ends justify the means, empowering the government to ignore constitutional construct for personal perceived betterment is an acceptable trade off.
Along Comes Postmodernism
So where does society place the blame for its state of deterioration leading to apathy, indifference, and despotism? What must have transpired over the past two hundred years to change the characteristics of society that has led us to the despotism we face today? Is this the result of overly puritanical efforts by Christians to maintain a society with wholesome influences and Judeo-Christian principals? Or is this the playbook written by the social secular, atheistically rooted, and morally abandoned social liberals?
Postmodernism ushered in an era of new truths and the ability to define beliefs. The rules of societal governing were changing as influenced by the self-interests from liberalism, not from the conservatives, the constitutional originalists. The entire underlying philosophy of liberalism is the pursuit of individual interest. A movement that gained momentum during the Age of Enlightenment, where its purpose was to change beliefs and norms. Liberals would argue that they still behold to absolute truths, however only those living in their evolved echo chambers can scientifically and morally support their positions.
Today what permeates our higher education, media, and entertainment is Social Liberalism. Where atheism is intellectual truth, gender identity is subjective, and mandating equal outcomes is just, even if it requires suppressing innocent people, under any means.
Clearly the Liberals have historically held the communications advantage. Their capacity to wage campaigns of identity politics is superb. With an overabundance of right brained members, adept at creating colorful slogans and flags, engaging in days long protests without impact to their employment, distancing themselves from moral precepts without suffering condemnation; all while demonizing any efforts to stall the liberalization of society, it is truly a marvel.
Eye on the Prize
As a father and now grandfather, what fills my mind is not the concern over “Christian Nationalism” (the hypothetical perpetrators of tribulation that may persecute those that embrace God’s covenants) but the concern over societal decay that robs our children from having a chance at arriving to Tribulation (salvation). No, I don’t underestimate the unpleasantries of Tribulation from conflicts in moral society. I simply would rather have our youth grow to be on the side that faces the Tribulation, then to be among the apathetic throng seeking temporal ease and happiness.
In light of the present epidemic: the failed denominational retention of our youth. How is it that the focus of many SDA pulpits and evangelical leaders, both present and recent past, has been to primarily raise the alarm of the impending over correction by the religious right, while ignoring the immoral pervasiveness of the left?
Our youth are not leaving the SDA denomination at a rate approaching 90% because of an overly oppressive societal morality. I would argue that it is largely the opposite. Where society, through control of media, entertainment, and education has indoctrinated recent generations into believing that what makes you happy is good and just, and anything that opposes your psyche is evil, hateful, and to be creatively labeled with a derogatory noun ending in -ist, -ism, or -bia (racist, sexist, nationalism, fascism, chauvinism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.). This ever-growing list of purveyors of hatred results from a secular society’s focus to pursue self-interests at any costs. To the point of accepting, “shoot the opposing messenger.”
Consider that, reportedly, every SDA institution of higher learning teaches Theistic Evolution, including within their seminaries. Some of the precepts of Theistic Evolution include:
God is the Creator: Theistic evolutionists maintain their belief in a creator God who initiated and sustains the universe and life on Earth
God uses evolution: God's creative work is understood to have been accomplished through the natural processes of evolution, rather than direct, immediate intervention in the way described by young-earth creationism.
Non-Literal Genesis Account: The creation narrative in Genesis is interpreted non-literally. For example, the seven days of creation are not seen as literal 24-hour periods, and Adam and Eve may be understood metaphorically or as a special creation within an evolved human race.
Thus, our youth, pursuing either a scientific degree or one in divinity, are likely taught that the Genesis account of creation should not be taken literally. This ideology undermines the Sabbath covenant, if creation did not occur over six days, then the seventh-day Sabbath is arbitrary and open to adjustment. But moreover, that the Bible is not fully God inspired and thus a faith built on Sola Scriptura is meaningless.
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16 & 17).
Too many SDA leaders are focusing on a condition, where under present circumstances, too few of our youth will ever encounter. We must recognize that the greatest enemy is not the over correction (those who kill the body), but the condition of moral depravity that leads to the over correction (able to destroy both soul and body in hell).
I would argue that SDA resources should endeavor to build the army of believers, those that must endure the tribulation, beginning with our youth. And spend less resources warning against an overly obvious perceived enemy, which presumes to elevate our intellectual capacity to know the Devil’s strategy. Our tribulation may very well come from the right, or not. Does it matter? It is inevitable that it will come. What is not inevitable, is that our youth will be among the ones prepared to face it if they are not sealed. Spend your time sealing the souls and less time protecting the temporal vessel.
Conclusion
To educators, pastors, and conference leaders: Why is there such a stark contrast in the focus and resources dedicated to addressing our end-time historical trajectory? Significant effort is directed toward identifying the potential origins of the inevitable Tribulation, yet there is near silence regarding the pervasive influence of secular and immoral social liberalism that is consuming our youth and young adults. Our present-day pulpit strategy will arguably increase awareness of a potential source of Tribulation. However, it will inevitably result in fewer constituents arriving to the time of Tribulation.
Our preoccupation on the ones who can kill the body, and less on the ones that are killing the soul, may be simply the Devil’s distraction.
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