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'Winging It
by Stan Smith
I'm sure you've heard the term, or, rather, the warning. "If you hold your position, you'll find yourself on the wrong side of history." Or something like it. The idea is that things change in history and these changes are always for the better, so if you don't change with them, history will show that you're a loser. It's the idea that "newer is better," that "progressive" is enlightened and improvement. Now, certainly things change with history, but I question the second premise. Always for the better? But if that's not the case, the whole thing comes apart. And, in fact, the whole thing is problematic. The phrase suggests that history will judge you. Very odd. The notion is that history -- time itself -- leads to ever increasing morality on its own.
Of course, there are all sorts of problems here. History is not a being, but we're suggesting here that it gets to judge you and me. Clearly not the case. So who does? To be on a "right side" or a "wrong side" of history requires a judgment -- a moral judgment. Whose judgment will be used? The very concept of the "wrong side of history" implies a force, a source, an author, as it were, that is pushing history along from bad to better. What source? What makes us think it is true? Historically, can we claim, "Every course change we've made is always for the better, always for the right"? I think that would be a phenomenal kind of nonsense since we all know better. "The wrong side of history" is an entirely problematic position when its removed from any viable source or moral absolutes.
History, on the other hand, is not random. Biblically, God says, "I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10) Now that's a view of history with a source and with absolutes. From this perspective, then, it is possible to be on the "wrong side of history." If history is actually "His story" -- the story that God has written and is maintaining for eternity -- then the "wrong side of history" is the wrong side of God and the "right side of history" is cooperating with His plans, values, and directions. Of course, that won't win us approval of those who are claiming we're on the wrong side of history for approving of that which God approves, but is it really their approval we're seeking?
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I'm married with four grown children and (currently) four grandchildren. My wife and I live in sunny Phoenix by choice. I hope to encourage people with my words and to share with others what God has shared with me.
For more writings you can see my blog at birdsoftheair.blogspot.com.
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