Utopia, Progress, and the Kingdom of God

Near the dawn of the modern period (1500’s), the Reformation set in motion a world of ideas. If the old world of Medieval Catholicism was to be discarded (reformed), what should take its place? The earliest answers were largely those allowed and dictated by the various political states of Europe: Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Calvinism, etc. On the whole, this was a moderate answer. But change is heady stuff – once it’s begun, how do you stop? By the 1600’s new answers began to appear. In England especially, reform led to experimentation, and experimentation gave way to Civil War. At the same time, England was exporting its religious combatants to America – a place that would become the incubator for every imaginable religious experiment.

It is striking to me that a number of those experiments were utopian in nature. The question became not how to create a better world, but how to create a perfect world. When the Great Awakening (1740’s) swept through New England, the quiet Calvinists villages of the region erupted into an amazing number of extremes. There were claims by some of the newly-awakened that they had reached a state of sinlessness. A few even declared that they would never die. Groups like the Shakers and others experimented with a variety of communal forms that today are largely known only to specialists in American religious history.

But the fervor of that religious revival, mimicked by the Second Great Awakening in the 19th century (which gave us Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and a host of new denominations), never disappeared. What began as a religious phenomenon quickly became a political pheonomenon (religion and politics in America have had a long, troubled marriage). The utopian dreams of one century became the political dreams of another. What today can be described as “modernity,” is nothing more than a secularized version of those dreams. The perfect world dreamed of by some, has become the better world of today’s political parties.

Christian evangelism first taught advertising how to sell a product. Advertising is now its own secular evangelism in which its believers are called “consumers.” If the world is to become a better place – it will be because we bought it.

These dynamics are easy to see within our cultural mix. They hang over us, particularly in the meta-world of the powers-that-be. However, they are not the stuff of our daily lives (for which we should be grateful). We still move from task to task each day, with human interactions (for good or bad) creating the landscape of our lives. We are never any closer to a perfect world (much less a better world) for the simple fact that the human interactions around us are as flawed as ever. The adoption of the latest utopian-designed, non-oppressive beliefs by a jerk never result in anything other than a jerk with some new ideas (to put it crudely). And none of that alters the bumps and bruises of our day-to-day tasks. Indeed, it often only complicates matters further.

There is a manufacturing company that I pass by on a regular basis. For some strange reason, it has an electronic sign on the street where messages can be regularly posted. Sometimes the messages can be quite practical, telling passers-by what the pay would be for a starting position: “now hiring.” However, most days, the sign proclaims that we are now in a special month – set aside for the one or another perceived minority group. We are closing in on utopia a month at a time. What I’ve learned by watching the sign over the past couple of years is that there is a zealot somewhere in the HR department who is in charge of the sign. It also sends signals (for some) that becoming part of such a workplace may come with extra problems beyond the day-to-day tasks with which we all must struggle. The Soviet utopian project was famous for its slogans.

It’s in light of our daily lives that I repeatedly suggest that there is no such thing as progress. The landscape changes. The advance in technology now enables me to sit on hold for an hour, waiting for a human voice, while holding enormously sophisticated (and expensive) device in my palm. It does not change the boredom of that hour, bring meaning to my existence, nor make the world a better place.

Nor should we mistake technological “progress” with the Kingdom of God. If the few social successes (end of slavery, etc.) of the past few centuries constitute moments in the Kingdom of God, then I am severely disappointed.

I do not find such interests (or lofty schemes) within the gospel record of Christ. There are miracles aplenty. However, those miracles are very much of the day-to-day variety. A woman with an issue of blood is healed. A woman bowed for 18 years by some crippling disease is loosed. A paralytic is made to walk. A leper is cleansed. A couples’ daughter is raised from the dead. A request to make a brother (or sister) abide by a better set of rules is refused (“make my brother divide the inheritance”…”make my sister help me with the housework”). And on the stories go – each one quite specific. None of those who are touched by such miracles enter a utopia, nor do all of their miracles add up to such a sum.

There were other miracles of note. A man who made a very good living by cheating and defrauding the citizens of Jericho had a life-changing dinner invitation. He went from tax-collector to Son of Abraham in a short matter of time, distributing half of his wealth to the poor and restoring four-fold any damages he had done to others. In that encounter, I see the Kingdom of God.

Christ taught that the “Kingdom of God is within you” (Lk. 17:20). What we see in the stories of these individual encounters, is the Kingdom of God unfolding within the lives of people around Jesus. We have a more long-range image of that process in the lives of a few of His disciples and apostles. What we also see in the rear-view mirror that is history, is the long, tortuous tale of the Church, the single work that Christ gave to the world. It is a tortuous tale because it is unavoidably the aggregate of individual lives stretched over day-to-day experience. It is as wonderful as the life of a saint, and as shameful as the life of apostates, or those, who in the name of Christ, become the sponsors of great evil. That same tale is living its way out in each of our lives in the present moment.

Progress is a sales slogan. Politics is a sales slogan that takes your money and buys guns.

I am a child of the 60’s. Born in 1953, I was nurtured on the same slogans as the whole of my generation. I shared many of their dreams and sang the songs. A life-changing event occurred in my 15th year. Somehow, I stumbled on a book of essays by Leo Tolstoy. I never became a Tolstoyan – but I was deeply impacted by his treatment of the Sermon on the Mount. It was the first time I had encountered anything that made me want to read the Scriptures – much less with the idea that they could actually be pondered and practiced. Any number of Christ’s sayings in those two chapters seem extreme or beyond our abilities. Nevertheless, they formed a picture of the Kingdom of God. It created a hunger in me that has persisted through the years.

Seek first the Kingdom…the rest will follow…without slogans or vain imaginings. It is within you.

 

Photo: Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

 

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America, Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.



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123 responses to “Utopia, Progress, and the Kingdom of God”

  1. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Fr Stephen, many thanks!

  2. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Mark,

    Thank you for your encouraging words. I do see how you are always there with kind and helpful words for so many here.

    I used to believe that I was half introvert and half not. Now, I am mostly an introvert except when I go to the local feed store or our veterinarian or with my Asheville friend I don’t often see. However, I am very much the extrovert with my animal friends! If I can channel that to people…

    I will keep your words in mind, and I mean that. Maybe it will sink in.

  3. Mark Spurlock Avatar
    Mark Spurlock

    Eliza,

    Lots of animal lovers out there, and–although relationships with animals are so rewarding of themselves–that, too, can be a great way to develop human bonds. My daughter works as a vet tech, and she has bloomed in “conversational confidence” from having stories to tell and feeling she has knowledge to share. She has always been a good listener (which can be undervalued in social circles), but now she is more comfortable talking about herself as well.

    Conversely, as we age, it’s easy to increasingly favor and rely on some narrow aspect of our personality. I liked how you mentioned that you were too “mature” to be this way. Exactly so.

    Social anxiety is an understandable phase for teenagers, but we should manage it better once we’ve had years of experience with it. (Which I tell myself quite often.)

  4. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Mark,

    Reading your reply, I am struck by the thought that I have traded one crutch and/or problem for another. Being too social resulted in issues that I will not get into.

    My response, hide.

    Now I have another problem. But it feels a lot easier to just do battle with myself rather than get out amongst people and battle myself and those others.

  5. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Mark,

    I forgot to add that it is good that your daughter’s work has helped her to be more socially at ease. Your point is taken. I will give that some thought.

    Thanks!

  6. Mark Spurlock Avatar
    Mark Spurlock

    Eliza,

    Despite the negative associations in common parlance, a crutch is useful because it helps healing. Although I would never have considered myself an extrovert, I went through a period when I did have an excuse–and a need–to be even more introverted.

    That said, part of personal restoration is to see whether we are able to put the crutch aside now and then and for longer and longer times. Yes, it’s always easier to fall back on the crutch–especially at the first hints of pain.

    It’s one reason I do try to be encouraging on here: for all the little ways that the doers may not have even known they encouraged me.

    When Jesus said “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few,” it was not only in the context of evangelism: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

    For me, it’s helpful to think that being more social is not only about meeting one’s personal need. Rather, both you and I are needed by others (even if a voice inside us is telling us all the time we’re not).

  7. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Mark,
    Thanks! A lot to consider.

  8. Matthew Avatar
    Matthew

    Dear Eliza,

    Your insights into the reality of the world we live in are keen. I only wish more people would recognize that for as much as we can see good around us, there is a lot of evil, destruction, and hopelessness too. For as much as humans can do really cool and amazing things, we are only human. We are all in some sense guilty for the woes in our world. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us all.

    I wish you all the best as you continue your journey.

  9. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Matthew,

    Many thanks for your words! I cannot tell you ho much it means to have encouragement that you and Mark have given, and Fr. Stephen’s offer of prayer.

    I do not want to be right in my view of the world. For decades I have been able to eventually shrug off a sense of fatalism for the “it’s not that bad” outlook of my generation. It’s the outlook of many of the people who surround me. That is how I see the Gen X overall view of life, a shrug, a “who cares” outlook. Maybe that’s not it, but how I perceive it. This can be comforting. Viewing the world as I do is stressful. I have to tread carefully so I don’t instill a sense of futility in my daughter or have my negativity push her away. Not to mention other people. I try to always express the positive, that all life is a beautiful gift, before I point out that this industrialized way is ultimately anti-life. Even the life that appears without value- a mosquito, a tick, or even killer pathogens, is something to wonder at. Now, I’m not for conserving pathogens, to be clear. I am not pro-pathogen. Not pro-tick. And, against my will, I’m not even pro-rat, though they are very fascinating creatures. I find it very sad that they are saddled with such destructive behaviors and pathogens.

    I have felt this for a while, but a trip to Texas really kicked me in the stomach. I see hyper-development and industrialization as I travel about the country with my musician daughter. Last year, while in North Texas for a chamber music event, I couldn’t wait to get away from the Dallas metro and out into those gentle hills and fields for some peace. I had not been in the area for many years, so it was shocking. Traveling north on I-35, it was uninterrupted digging and razing at least to within 20 minutes of the Oklahoma border- that’s where we got off. It was frightening. Dallas metro is on its way to the border. Exiting the interstate for some peace, there was none on the backroads because they aren’t really backroads anymore. The speed limit on 2 lane highways is 65 and maybe 75 in some places. Aggressive tailgaters everywhere, and it’s not like I am a slow driver. (I hear that some speed limits will be lowered, so this may be inaccurate now.)

    Anyway, I can’t talk about all this because it is never ending and people just don’t really want to hear it. I don’t want to hear myself. If I hadn’t raised my daughter to end up wanting to become a serious classical musician, I would give up driving. One ironic thing is that in her early days, it looked like she would be a biologist or naturalist…sigh.

    Thank you for your well wishes and the same to you.

  10. Matthew Avatar
    Matthew

    What instrument does your daughter play Eliza?

  11. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Matthew,

    She plays cello.

  12. Matthew Avatar
    Matthew

    Eliza,

    How wonderful. Does she like Bach? My wife plays classical music all the time on her piano. I developed a love for classical music in Europe. I have been to the Berlin Philharmonic several times. I love the piece “Bolero” by Ravel too!

  13. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Matthew,

    Very cool to be able to go to the Berlin Philharmonic! And it is wonderful to have a Classical pianist in your family. If your children ever take up an instrument, they will have their own accompanist. That is a very big deal.

    Yes, my daughter is a Bach aficionado. She is young, but old school in her training.

    Europe is in many ways a better place for classical and pre-classical music. I am a bit envious.

  14. William Gall Avatar

    Politics is necessary. Progress can be made on particulars as they arise. I am of a similar age and remember all those songs yearning for universal peace. It was unrealistic. I would also say that it seems to me that the two economic poles if socialism and capitalism both lead to trouble. Socialism to tyranny and capitalism to greed. But the “jerk” word sounds like a reaction rather than a response. I’ve wondered whether “progress” is your pet peeve. OK, it springs from an ignorance if the consequences of the Fall. But there are things in this world that ought not to be ignored. Unfortunately, the two political parties have moved to extremes, so I have to agree that our politics has become futile. But why do some of these European semi-socialistic seem to have achieved a greater degree of stability? My thought is that the devil is working to keep them asleep.

  15. Fr. Stephen Avatar

    William,
    I do not agree that “politics is necessary.” They are what they are and those who choose to engage with them are certainly free to and I do not hold them to be unChristian in their involvement. There are, of course, an abundance of opportunities to engage the passions and to sin within all of that.

    As for myself, what I’ve written viz. politics is not a pet peeve – but a well-considered position that has been with me for a number of years – and has only grown stronger with time. I see it as a subset of “modernity” and its delusions. As for that topic, I’m saying nothing new, but that which has been said by others for quite a while – witness GK Chesterton, CS Lewis, and a number of observers of that scene from a Christian perspective.

    I’m tempted to ask, “How’s that working out for you?”

    Of course, that falls within the realm of private opinion – not Church dogma. If anyone finds it of help – good – otherwise, they should ignore it. My observation is that many of the faithful have been drawn into a kind of bondage to the passions of politics (its primary tool) with the mistaken notion that it is their duty as a Christian. I agree that the devil is quite active in all of this – here and all across the world. There is nothing in the Scriptures that suggests politics to be a duty. The commandments of Christ are clear – but the notion that politics is necessary to the fulfillment of those commandments is simply not true.

  16. Michael Bauman Avatar
    Michael Bauman

    Eliza, repentance is not a “one and done” reality. Repentance is a way of living in greater harmony with our Lord, but our that harmony comes and goes in our hearts.

  17. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Michael,

    Thank you for your comment. I can see what you mean, I think. Penitence is daily and maybe even, at times, moment by moment. It can feel overwhelming sometimes.

  18. Michael Bauman Avatar
    Michael Bauman

    Eliza, do not forget that God Himself repented that He made us. It is a word full of mystery and freedom without compulsion. It is not really repetitive but a new and fresh regret each time. Until, by God’s Grace, change occurs. A change so deep that the way to the Kingdom of Heaven is opened in one’s heart. It is, after all, “at hand”.

  19. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Michael,

    “ God Himself repented that He made us.” Interesting way the OT expresses this. I always took it to mean regret, but your reference makes me wonder if it may be deeper.

    Good insight.
    Thank you.

  20. Matthew Avatar
    Matthew

    Eliza,

    I don´t have any children, but Cordelia does use her gift at our church. The family I married into is very much into classical music and cultural things. This working class guy from N.J. has learned a lot from them! I wish your daughter all the best with her cello concerts. I wish you well too Eliza. Peace.

  21. Eliza Avatar
    Eliza

    Matthew,

    Thank you. Likewise, peace to you and your wife.

  22. elbowwilham Avatar
    elbowwilham

    18 months ago I read Anna Karenina and was struck by Levin’s conversion. I was an atheist at the time, but something about his thought process mirrored mine. I then read Tolstoy’s confession, and it pierced my heart. I embarked on a journey that lead me to the Orthodox church and hopefully closer to the kingdom of God. I never became a Tolstoyan either, just felt like I should share how God continues to use Tolstoy, even though Tolstoy left the church.
    Thank you for your great words.

  23. Dee of St Herman Avatar
    Dee of St Herman

    Elbowilham,
    Thank you for sharing your story of how you came into the Orthodox Church. Your reflection on how the story of Levin and his thinking seemed to parallel your own and the subsequent experience reading Tolstoy is edifying. Stories such as yours provide us all a window into the Lord’s Providence in how He works and uses such experiences to bring us to Him.

    While I wasn’t an atheist and believed in God, I wasn’t a Christian when I came upon that pivotal moment when I knew that there must have been ‘a Christ-like’ person. That moment came in a seemingly unlikely context in my life, as if a compass within me pointed to ‘true North,’ and I finally paid attention to it.

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