DYSTOPIA

From My Perspective - - - 

Jared Bernstein, a former chief economist to Vice President Biden, is a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and author of “Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed?” among other books. He wrote a column in the Washington Post (November 10, 2014) with the headline: “The midterms were a big, dystopic groan from an electorate that knows something fundamental is broken and nobody’s trying to fix it.” The first paragraph of his column indicates the possibility of the “dystopic groan” to which he refers: “Various post-midterms analyses suggest that significant numbers of voters did not hear the economic message they sought and thus stayed home or located somewhere on the annoyed, disgusted continuum by voting against the dysfunctional status quo.” The column goes on to advocate a remedy that would include the return to Labor Union bargaining power in behalf of the middle class worker.

To be given over to dystopia means: “a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding.” The origin and history of the word suggests that it is: “an imaginary bad, abnormal and difficult place.” The British Dictionary definition indicates it is: “an imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be.” It is interesting that Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus lists the two synonyms for dystopia as “antiutopia and apocalypse.” The antonym given is “dreamland.” Another term that is closely associated with the idea of dystopia is “malaise: “a feeling of unease or depression…a complex of problems affecting a country and economy.” The secular world interprets events and conditions dictated by a current and prevailing cultural vacuum. For instance, the Etymology Dictionary understands malaise as stemming from “pain, suffering, sorrow and anxiety.”

There is a alternative to the current and prevailing cultural vacuum. A Biblical analysis for the dystopic groans and malaise would include Proverbs 29:1-2 (NIV), “A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” The stated cause for the Dystopic Groan is: “but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” In the NLT, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” Similarly, in Proverbs 28:12 (ESV), “When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.” We live in a day and time when “If Only” seems to be part of the thought and wonderment of the day. This is especially true when we consider it in terms of “If Only” we would return to our spiritual roots and focus as a nation. What would be a result “If Only” we did so? The answer is given in Proverbs 14:34 (ESV), Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” The NLT states: “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

In terms of the future and the hope one should possess in the present, Romans 8:18-24 addresses the issue of dystopic groans with these words: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us…For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And…we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” In so-called “Christian” entries in social media, one can read words of hopelessness and despair. They are looking at the world through the secular lens only. However, the Biblical Christian looks at the world through a spiritual lens. We need to return to the spiritual principle that governed Abraham (Romans 4:18) “in hope against hope he believed.” It lends itself to what is stated about Abraham in Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” This relates to us today because “if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29). You are to be a Biblical Christian given to constant rejoicing in the Lord. Despite the times in which one may be living, our hope is in the Lord and our triumph is secure (Romans 8:31-39). If in doubt, read the end of The Book (The Bible). We win! Consider these things with me.