As we look at the world around us it is hard not to ask the question: What is wrong with humanity? Is it society, education, or money (or lack there of) that causes humanity to live the way that we are witnessing? If it is one of these issues is there a solution to it?
Striving for a Utopian Society
People are always looking for answers to the problems that we see. One solution people often have sought is to live in a perfect happy flawless society. This is often referred to as Utopian society. In the 18th century a man by the name of Jean-Jacques Rousseau put forth the idea that humanity was basically good, it was just society that brought about evil. He is famously known for saying “Man is born free, and everywhere else he is in chains” [1]. According to Rousseau it was social structures (churches, family, neighborhoods) that trap us and it is the state (government) that will set us free. If we give our power to the state then we can live in a perfect “utopian” society. In the utopian society liberation and goodness will flourish. Is Rousseau right? Is all that is stopping humanity flourishing social constructs and an utopian society the answer?
In the mid-1900s a man named Charles Dederich attempted to form a utopian society, which he later called Synanon. It began with his desire to help drug addicts get clean but over time transformed into something different. This utopian society turned into a violent cult that eventually was shut down. This can easily leave one puzzled for if all we needed for humanity to flourish is a utopian society why did Synanon not only fail but also turn violent?[2]
Another example I want to note is what took place in China. Mao-Tse Tung was a Chinese leader who followed the philosophy of Rousseau and in order for him to establish this society he had between 30-40 million people killed. If Mao was following Rousseau's philosophy why were people killed instead of being liberated and freed? In Rousseau's philosophy he believed the “state” would promote the good of the people. However, if someone disagreed with the “state” they were consider corrupted and needed to comply to the “general will”. If Rousseau’s philosophy was supposed to bring forth flourishing and freedom why is the body count so high in societies that implement it?[3]
Why Utopian societies fail?
It all boils down to our view of humanity. Rousseau saw humanity, as basically good and what was wrong was the social structures. His answer was to give all power to the state and they will fix all that is wrong. But if it is this easy why does it not work? The answer is human nature is not inherently good. D.A. Carson states that after looking at all the genocides, the failed utopian societies, the murder of millions of people we must take a hard look at ourselves and when we do Carson says we will understand that the “root of evil lies in us”. [4] Evil is not some outside force but rather we need to look inward. Lee Marvin, an actor, after viewing his movie Point Blank stated how he was shocked not just how violent it was but how he could do such violence. In reflecting on the violence that he did and promoted in the movie, he stated there seemed to be a problem with himself, something deeper “the demon” was in fact himself.[5] There seems to be something inherently twisted about humanity. We can’t blame society, for society itself is made up of people. For to blame society is also to blame ourselves for we are what makes up society.
The reason utopian societies do not work is that humanity is in them. The Bible is clear about human nature, that it is corrupted by sin. The solution to what is wrong with humanity does not lie in “making a perfect society” (for we are corrupted and can't make anything perfect) but rather realizing first and foremost that each one of us is corrupted by sin. Then turning to the only one that can do anything about that corruption, Jesus. If we do not acknowledge the corruption of humanity and our great need for God, then we will continue to repeat the failure of utopian societies with very little difference in result. Let us recognize our corruption and turn to the one who is able to change our very nature.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away; behold the new has come." When one recognizes their brokenness and gives it to God he will forgive us and change us. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26). It doesn't matter how good or smart we think we are, every single person is broken and corrupted by sin, and God is the only one that can atone for that. When our hearts and nature are changed through God's work through Jesus we are now able to truly care for our fellow man. When we have received grace, love, forgiveness transforming us into who we were created to be then grace, love and forgiveness will flow from us. Not because we are such great people but because we have been changed.
Christian Response
Don’t get me wrong Christians are not suppose to sit back and do nothing, we are called to live on mission. However, our ultimate purpose is to reach as many people with the good news of Jesus, not just make a happy society. For we know the ultimate solution to our brokenness and corruption is in Jesus. We know that no society is perfect and when we seek a solution to the mess we see without turning to Jesus it won't solve it, in fact history shows things get worse. We know that because of humanity's sin people will often hurt, take advance, and use others for their own personal benefit. If we ignore the broken core of humanity it doesn't matter how well intentioned our efforts may be, it will fall short.
[1] Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract (Boston; Charles E. Tuttle, Everyone’s Classic Library, 1993), 181. As quoted Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live? (Wheaton, IL; Tyndale House Publisher, 1999), 170-171
[2] Charles Colson, and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live? (Wheaton, IL; Tyndale House Publisher, 1999) and Paul Morantz. “The History of Synanon and Charles Dederich”, (blog) Paul Morantz, 2009, http://www.paulmorantz.com/cult/the-history-of-synanon-and-charles-dederich/.
[3] Charles Colson, and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live? (Wheaton, IL; Tyndale House Publisher, 1999) and Edward, “The Legacy of Mao Zedong is Mass Murder”. The Heritage Foundation, February 2, 2010. https://www.heritage.org/asia/commentary/the-legacy-mao-zedong-mass-murder.
[4] D.A Carson, How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil (Grand Rapid, MI: Bakers Books/Inter-Varsity Press, 1990), 43. [5] Paul Woodruff and Harry Wilmer, eds. Facing Evil: Light at the Core of Darkness (LaSalle: Open Court, 1988), 7. As quoted by D.A Carson, How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil (Grand Rapid, MI: Bakers Books/Inter-Varsity Press, 1990), 43-44.