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BIBLE REF.
Job 38–42
Matthew 7:11–14
Matthew 16:26–27
Matthew 22:37–39
Matthew 25:31–46
2 Corinthians 5:10
Philippians 2:9–11
Yes and yes. Christians want actual biblical progress that leads to real human flourishing and is eternally on the right side of history.
When these arguments are made, the allegation is that Christianity is hindering mankind and that future generations will look back at those who impeded the secular utopia with disdain. But who determines genuine progress, and which side of history is the right one? When nonbelievers claim Christianity defies these things, they’re drawing a blatant distinction between words and actions they consider right and others they consider to be wrong. However, by what authentic standard are secularists judging (thought you couldn’t do that) one person’s version of progress as good and another’s as bad? Why shouldn’t Stalin, Mao, Osama bin Laden, Pol Pot, or Hitler define good progress? As seen repeatedly, the authority of secularists — when traced to the source — is their own
arbitrary opinion that they intolerantly and bigotedly force on others without care of offense.
Why should secularists care about progress or coming generations anyway? In their worldview, humanity is a chemical accident, morality is fluid, truth is relative, autonomy is king, and eventually everyone will be extinct with no memory of history preserved. To care for humanity’s plight is to again borrow from the Christian worldview.
The biblical worldview is overflowing with earnest reasons to care for humanity. Christians care because all humans are created in God’s image and have souls that will eternally exist in either heaven or hell. Christians care because our Creator cares. When Jesus was asked to identify the greatest commandment, He responded by basically saying love God with everything you’ve got and love people the way you love yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). God cares about the well-being of people and commands His followers to do likewise. Christians care out of love and obedience to God and a desire to imitate and glorify their Creator and Savior.
Yes, Christians want genuine progress for human flourishing. And there is a book, a “manual,” the Word of God, where the Designer and Maker of humanity explicitly details how His creation works best. God’s instructions for morality, family, society, marriage, sexuality, gender, stewardship, and dominion are His blueprints for humanity’s thriving and fulfillment in His creation.
You want real progress? Follow the directions of the Author, Maker, and Sustainer of the universe. The societies that have done so, directly or indirectly, have been the most civilized, structured, and prosperous in history. Reject God’s instructions and the result is regression increasing exponentially over time. This too has played out numerous times in history and is currently happening throughout the west. Each dysfunction happening today can be traced to some deviation of God’s will, plan, and design.
Reject God’s Word, and the only progress you’ll make is toward earthly and eventually eternal destruction. Only God’s design works in the real world, and there’s only one, eternal, right side of history — God’s.
