Thinking About Culture and Constancy
September 7, 2010
Since 1998, Beloit College in Wisconsin has released each August the Beloit College Mindset List. The List provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of incoming freshmen. What are a few truths about the class of 2014? (1) They were born in 1992 (whew — am I old!). (2) Few in the class know how to write in cursive (many never had to learn). (3) Email is just too slow, and they seldom if ever use “snail mail.” (4) A quarter of the class has at least one immigrant parent; therefore, the immigration debate is not a big priority…unless it involves “real” aliens from another planet! (5) Clint Eastwood is better known as a sensitive director than as Dirty Harry. (6) Korean cars have always been a staple on American highways. (7) Fergie is a pop singer, not a princess. (8) Computers have never lacked a CD-ROM disk drive. (9) They have never recognized that pointing to their wrists is a request for the time of day (many don’t wear wristwatches—they use their cell phones for the time). (10) Pizza jockeys from Domino’s have never killed themselves to get a pizza to you in under thirty minutes (remember that guarantee?). (11) They have never worried about a Russian missile strike on the U.S. What can we say to all this, West Broad and friends? Well, the college class of 2014 reminds us, once again, that a generation comes and goes in the blink of an eye (Eccl. 1:4; James 4:14). It also reminds us that while technology, science, fashion, and popular thought all change as time progresses, God’s word and righteous requirements do not (Mal. 3:6; Psa. 119:89; Heb. 13:8; Jn. 12:48). With this truth in mind, we conclude correctly that it is okay (and even wise) to be mindful of the changing culture and appreciate it. But we also conclude correctly that it is better to be mindful of God’s constant word. After all, it is the only reality on the planet that will never go out of style! —JLNJR (Resource: Beloit College, Mindset List for the Class of 2014)
