I have not read it yet, and at 832 pages it is a daunting prospect. But the
book has gotten a lot of attention – positive, negative, dismissive and hopeful.
The title comes from Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, with
America roiling on the cusp of the Civil War. Lincoln appealed to “the better
angels of our nature” for a nation united as friends rather than divided as
enemies. That hopeful vision was quickly consumed by one of the most violent
wars in American history.
Now comes Pinker arguing that we live in the most peaceful time in
history. Many who have witnessed a century of two horrific world wars, the
development of weapons of mass destruction, the growing horror of genocide
and terrorism, movies and video games steeped in mayhem and city streets
stalked by violence, are left shaking their heads. No doubt ubiquitous social
media and 24-hour news channels make us more aware of violence all around
us, and history is replete with wanton inhumanity. But it’s a strain to accept
that this is the most peaceful time in history.
Pinker’s research is exhaustive but is criticized for cherry picking data and
for biases that may reflect more personal ideology than fact-based conclusions.
He flatly declares, for instance, that even if Iran does develop nuclear weapons
it will never use them.
He does suggest “four better angels” that can influence our culture away
from violence toward altruism, and make positive outcomes more likely:
empathy, self-control, moral sense and reason. He does not include faith and
religion. No wonder, perhaps, because Pinker calls himself a humanist and
an atheist. He seems to feel that religion – at least wars fought in the name of
religion – is more responsible for violence than for peace.
Without having read any of those 832 pages I am quite sure there is no
mention of what “true Christian religion” reveals – that all evil has its origin
in hell and that all good flows from the Lord and heaven. Nor is Pinker aware
of the Last Judgment and the fallout that still infests our lives and culture –
including war and violence. Hopefully all of that really is on the wane, as the
Heavenly City descends and our lives become more spiritual, and our times
will become ever more peaceful.
And that really does come down to “the better angels of our nature”
choosing to follow the Lord.
(BMH)
“bright gems for his crown”
Imagine spending years becoming a skilled diamond carver – first as a student,
then an apprentice, then an assistant, and then many more years on the job
perfecting your craft. Then, as the time to retire nears, you decide to finish a
project you’ve been working on for many years. All the wisdom you’ve gained
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