Modern Problems / Ancient Solutions
In 1940, a survey was taken of teachers asking them to list the five most important problems in school. They were: (1) talking out of turn; (2) chewing gum; (3) making noise; (4) running in halls; and (5) cutting in line.
Fifty years later, the survey was repeated. The 1990 list was substantially revised: (1) drug abuse; (2) alcohol abuse; (3) pregnancy; (4) suicide; (5) rape.1
See a major shift here? At the heart of the discussion is what was, and is considered “deviant” behavior. You may not be all that familiar with the word “deviancy,” but you know its fruits.
Basically, it is defined as follows:
Anderson (2017) defines deviance as behaviors, characteristics, or thought patterns that violate the norm beyond society’s tolerance. It is worth noting that deviancy is subject to societal definition and, as such, can vary from society to society. In the modern-day, some traditional norms underpinning American society are facing moral erosion. For instance, drug abuse and addiction deviance are rampant in contemporary America. Traditionally, drug abuse was viewed under the lens of society’s definition of morality and sin; however, it is being viewed from the vantage point of emotional disturbance and mental health definitions in the modern-day. 2
There is a lot to absorb in that definition but basically, we are seeing a shift in how we see deviant behavior. A few years ago, New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, published an article in the American Scholar in which he used a phrase that had become popular: “Defining Deviancy Down.” Moynihan noted that there were people today who wanted to reduce the significance and consequences of numerous activities once deemed deviant. Some of these activities were just “normal” things that kids do, like steal, vandalize and beat people up.
Granted, those things shouldn’t happen, but they do. So, live with it. Plus, those who do them are just mentally immature or unstable. If immature, they’ll grow out of it. Just be patient then! Give them time to grow up. If unstable, then is it really their fault? It is the fault of their parents, their schools, their environment. Should we punish someone for doing something that was beyond their control?
Are you following this logic? Many are suggesting that we back off and no longer consider these things as deviant. Examples of this are being seen almost daily in some of our larger cities like Chicago and San Francisco. Shoplifting used to be a definite no-no. You get caught stealing, you go to jail! Today, not so much. As a matter of fact, there are many running to the defense of the shoplifters. They are merely the product of an oppressive society, say some. Others argue they are just trying to survive in a world tilted against them. Meanwhile, dozens of stores, like Walmart, Nordstrom, Whole Foods and Walgreens have moved out. Mayors of these cities blame the retail stores as being selfish and uncaring. The fact that they’re losing millions of dollars in stolen merchandise doesn’t seem to mean anything to these mayors. 3
Biblical Solutions
God’s Word provides a way out of this insanity if we would just pay attention! Consider these biblical solutions:
First, God—and God alone—has the authority to classify something as deviant. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…Woe to those who
are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight…who justify the wicked for a bribe, and
take away the rights of the ones who are in the right! (Isaiah 5:20-23). Notice how much of this
text fits our consideration of deviancy. These people are doing that which God called evil.
Truthfully, people called it evil as well for centuries! But now we have a new “woke” group that believes they have a higher morality—one that is inclusive and non-judgmental. As a result, we have rampant crime and people rushing to defend the criminal and blame the victims! As God said, they “take away the rights of the ones who are in the right.”
So, what is this biblical solution? Returning to God’s established level of right and wrong. God condemned things like stealing (cf. Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28) and had severe consequences for the one who stole (Exodus 21:16; Leviticus 19:11, 13).
Second, God empowered the government to punish evildoers. Paul noted in Romans 13:3-4, “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” We need our government (even with its flaws) to at least make one fear when they do evil! When governments allow lawless activities to continue, they only encourage further lawlessness.
Haven’t we seen that as more and more are stealing from these retail stores? The criminals know they won’t be prosecuted! We need to encourage our elected officials to punish evildoers.
Third, Christians must not back down on calling evil, evil. Using God’s Word as our guide, we are expected to maintain the high biblical principles. Jesus said Christians are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14). We are to “expose” the unfruitful deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). The loud voices of evil must not silence the voices of God’s people. The church is expected to be a pillar and support for the truth (I Timothy 3:15). God has no use for cowards who shrink away from declaring the truth.
dpetrillo@WeTrainPreachers.com
1 Charles Krauthammer, “Defining Deviancy Up.” https://www.aei.org/research-products/speech/defining-deviancy-
up/
2 “What is Deviancy?” UniqueWritersBay. https://uniquewritersbay.com/what-is-deviancy/
3 Douglas Andrews, “Chicago Mayor Defines Deviancy Down.” The Patriot Post.
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