The First Stage
“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
Saying – The first stage in the collapse of a civilization is the intelligentsia of the culture questioning the values and rituals that established the identity of the civilization. In this stage, the intellectuals of the society cast doubt on the foundation assumptions that make the culture unique on the world stage. This stage was evident in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It is also true of Western Europe five hundred years ago and it seems to be true today. One of the arguments used by the intelligentsia is that morality and cultural values and traditions are paradigm dependent. In other words, how we view the world, our responsibility to it and our identity in it depends on our particular point of view, and since all cultures have their own point of view, there is no possibility of finding or articulating one superior viewpoint. Everyone is a victim of his or her own circumstances. Therefore, there is no reason to uphold this particular view rather than another. This idea, of course, leads directly to the proposal of tolerance. Since no one’s view can be ultimately correct, all views should be tolerated. But a civilization of tolerance loses its unique identity and heads for collapse.
Lee Harris observes, “But there is a problem here, for such a conclusion would appear to deny the possibility that anyone can ever escape from the ideological box in which he is trapped, and this implies not only ethical or cultural relativism, but the relativism of all forms of knowledge, scientific as well as moral. . . To draw this bleak conclusion, however, is to make a serious error, for it overlooks the fact that we can escape our ideological box, but only if we are willing to admit that we may not be certain about what we claim to know. Those who believe that they have the truth are condemned to live in an airtight box from which no escape is possible. . . This was the lesson of Socrates. Wisdom begins with a confession that we are certain about nothing and that every statement we make risks being found to be wrong at a later date and is subject to revision by us in light of this finding.”[1]
Harris’ correction is important, but it must be understood with this caveat. Certainty is not the same as reliability. Certainty is a Greek idea, epitomized by Rene Descartes. It is not a biblical, Hebraic idea. Trustworthiness does not demand certainty. In fact, certainty precludes hope. What I know for certain does not require my active engagement in hope for hope is about what I do not know for certain but nevertheless expect to be true. Biblical faith is not a faith in certainty. It is a faith in the hope of the promises of God and the expectation of His reliability.
A society based on faith in the trustworthiness of YHVH is not a society of paradigmatic tolerance. Where the Lord has spoken, the rules of engagement are clear. I might not be able to demonstrate their certainty, but they are nevertheless reliable, trustworthy and essential to any society that embraces the word of YHVH. Tolerance of alternative instructions is not acceptable, although this does not mean that only those within this society have God’s favor. YHVH is free to engage in a relationship with whomever He chooses in whatever way He chooses. Torah does not limit His ability to reach into the lives of those outside the camp. All that Torah does is show those inside the camp what it means to live responsibly in a society that acknowledges YHVH as its King.
The first stage of collapse always begins by questioning the essential values of the society. From a biblical perspective, nothing is more important to the operation of mercy and justice in a society than the implementation of the instructions given by YHVH about living together. Undermining these instructions is a sure recipe for destruction. And it seems to me that we are already far down this road.
“Without priests, it is difficult to maintain a sense of identity, strong institutions or non-negotiable values.”[2] And we have lived without priests for a very long time. Jeremiah knew it. The end was coming. The political prophets proclaimed progress toward utopia, but the truth was very different. In human history, no society that reaches the next stage has ever recovered.
Topical Index: Torah, values, certainty, reliability, faith, society, Jeremiah 6:14
[1] Lee Harris, Civilization and Its Enemies, p. 205-206
[2] Jonathan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation, p. 47.
TRAVEL NOTE: I will be traveling until September 25 so please be patient about replies to blog comments, etc. Thanks for understanding.
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation 18 cries out to me. I can hear that angel. When all around me looks like Babylon, then it is time to take a hike. When the idolatrous standards of Rome are planted on the sacred ground, then it is time to flee the Holy City and head for Pella. When the whole planet looks like it has joined hands and apostasy is universal, then it is time for the King Himself to come and fix it. One thing is for sure. He is not going to expect us to stand for the oppression of Egypt any longer than is necessary for us to be refined of our dross. We are looking at the times that will try men’s souls. May I be found worthy!
I was especially struck by a little more research on Rene Descartes. Probably the perfect choice to make your point about your comment, ”intelligentsia of the culture questioning the values and rituals that established the identity of the civilization”. Although it is somewhat apparent he had good intentions in his studies and examination of the big questions in life. In fact, he certainly appeared to be Berean in his approach to examining all things unlike many of his contemporaries. Unfortunately for him, in his attempt to explain the existence of YHVH, he encountered the enemy and embraced the idea that humanity could place God in a box while we step outside of it. Thus one of his most well-known quotes – “I think therefore I am”. He isn’t alone though. The next portion of the word study today that struck me was the ideas of “certainty” vs “hope”. Although I am certain you are not limiting the term society to those outside the body, you did not address it directly. I think this is apparent in your comment that “YHVH is free to engage in a relationship with whomever He chooses in whatever way He chooses.” Many would read this and think about those outside the body. It seems obvious that many inside the body embracing the traditions of men and a human perspective of YHVH instructions that are incongruent with what He actual says in His Word. My heart aches for friends and family, inside the body, I encounter who want to turn their hope into reliability on the words of men instead of YHVH. Thanks again for another clear examination of Scripture relevant today.
Laurita–you are always on point sister. Shalom
Love you too, Kevin, and especially what you said about Descartes. Thank you!
So many questions about what is happening today. I so appreciate these posts that help examine these current events. Its to easy to get caught up the media and chaos and leave behind the peace of Y-H!
I am grateful for your thoughts Laurita. Is Pella a nearby mountain?
http://www.preteristarchive.com/Bibliography/1998_scott_flee-pella.html
This site may help explain how and why the early heretical (sic) followers (Christians) escaped the destruction of Jerusalem. Every time Jerusalem fell, it was presaged by prophecy that warned of it, and also provided instruction for what to do. This time was no exception. Yeshua being recognized as a prophet also, He was asked about these things. He had already been giving prior hints that this was going to be the case, but surely his followers recognized the links to Daniel’s prophecies (see Matt. 24: 15, 16, which was quoting Daniel 9:27), and would also have recognized the symbolism (what we have translated as “abomination of desolation”) as referring to the images of Ceasar displayed on the standards Rome erected within the holy ground surrounding the Temple walls. When Nero died, which afforded temporary respite from Vespasian’s horrible siege, whereupon he returned to Rome to be crowned Emperor, the followers took the hint and fled to Pella. When Titus returned to actually tear down the city and the Temple, they were already gone.
There is one line in this piece that really hit home with me. I know it applies to me and my family, but I believe it does for our country as well. “Certainty is not the same as reliability.” What a powerful idea. YHVH is absolutely reliable. How often have we demanded “certainty” from our government only to find out it never happens?
Yes. Certainty is a logical, cognitive concept. Reliability is a practical, volitional, ethical idea. There is a BIG difference between the two.
To me, these three points stand out clearly in today’s TW….
“But a civilization of tolerance loses its unique identity and heads for collapse.”
“Tolerance of alternative instructions is not acceptable, ” outside of YHWH’s commands and instructions within the Hebraic worldview.
“All that Torah does is show those inside the camp what it means to live responsibly in a society that acknowledges YHVH as its King.”
A “live and let live” attitude does not and will not resolve any issues especially in behavioral discipline and morality that needs to be addressed and corrected. Only YHWH’s standards are to be mandated.
Your teachings are a blessing to me. Thank you. I pray you have safe travels.