Opus 2015-26: The Latest Should Be Reserved for the News

One of the common put-downs that we hear is produced by someone with a new idea who wants to belittle someone else who doesn’t want to change.  They will say, “Get with it.  This is the 21st century.” 

We hear it all the time.  A few years ago it was, “But this is the 20th century.”  It is like the 21st century is something really different, as if everything is really new.  I have news for you.  A good steak to Caesar Augustus would be recognized as a good steak today.  Plato boiled eggs the same way and at the same temperature as you do today.  Some recipes have been handed down hundreds of years and are still excellent. 

Much has endured through the ages.  You still inhale and exhale.  Blood still follows its course in your veins, and if you can believe it, in the same direction.  Don’t get caught up on it being the 21st century.  Solomon had a comment.

(Proverbs 24:21 NAS77)  My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change;

The concern is not change itself but change for the purpose of change. 

How does this work out in practice?  Let’s take a simple example that we all deal with, clothing styles.  Styles change.  It is a fact of life.  No one wants to be out of style.  The person addicted to change is always out with a compulsive desire to have the latest.  These are the people who keep all those clothing and shoe stores open in the mall.  The person who is balanced will replace items that wear out and not refuse to go with the new style.  You can get used to almost anything.  The difference is the reason and the compulsion. 

So no, I don’t need the latest health food plan.  I don’t care about the latest dance craze or music style.  I don’t need a new text book written to teach algebra.  I don’t need a new curriculum at school.  I don’t need a new government plan to end poverty.  I don’t need a new I-Phone.  The latest version of Windows probably won’t work.

Some things endure if allowed to.  The Bible is eternal.  The Constitution is a step down from that but still a solid document.  The definition of marriage has worked for thousands of years.  Salt, milk, eggs, and meat have kept generations alive. 

Get a grip.  Keep a balance.  The 22nd century is just around the corner.

homo unius libri