"There are, in my view, two factors that, above all others, have shaped human history in this century: one is the development of the natural sciences and technology, certainly the greatest success story of our time—to this, great and mounting attention has been paid from all quarters. The other, without doubt, consists in the great ideological storms that have altered the lives of virtually all mankind: the Russian Revolution and its aftermath—totalitarian tyrannies of both right and left and the explosions of nationalism, racism, and, in places, of religious bigotry, which, interestingly enough, not one among the most perceptive social thinkers of the nineteenth century had ever predicted."
Berlin believed that these two factors spawned all other factors past and present and will spawn still more factors in the future - shaping history. What was the common theme that made these two factors foundational to him? He writes about this idea of solutions:
"What was common to all these outlooks was the belief that solutions to the central problems existed, that one could discover them, and, with sufficient selfless effort, realize them on earth. They all believed that the essence of human beings was to be able to choose how to live: societies could be transformed in the light of true ideals believed in with enough fervor and dedication."
The main issue here is that most people today believe there are solutions to central problems. Are there really solutions to central problems? Many in this country would say yes without even thinking about it, but when you think about what a solution is then the answer does not come so freely. A solution is something that eliminates the problem which existed before the solution was found. I am not so sure we solve anything in this country anymore... or solved anything in the past. We have been conditioned to believe in solutions, but are the things that we believe really solutions? Raising taxes will solve our problem or will they? War, protests, newly-elected leaders... all of these things are, in essence, plowing around the problem and not real solutions.
Do we solve any problems anymore? I have friends who have been going through a court case for the last several years. A large corporation built a large development project up the stream from their home and did not correctly grade, level and prepare the land for heavy rain. When the heavy rain came the stream filled quickly with sediment and run-off water from the development and washed out the bridge to their home and some of their land. The corporation refused to help them so they and several others took them to court. They learned their lesson over the last several years... our legal system is no longer about justice or truth; it is, instead, about winners and losers, and most of the time, those with the most money win. There are no solutions to their problem only winners and losers. This is current reality built from the reality of the past where we are all led to believe that there were real solutions to our problems. The only true solution is coming again - Jesus Christ. He will solve every issue the right way and according to his word.
So many people laugh when they hear His name and chuckle with comments like, "religion again." But, as I get older and contemplate my life on this planet, I have come to understand that the Biblical account of life is the only account that makes any sense. Am I born just to die? Why is life structured so you work to retire when you can least enjoy it? Well, it all only makes sense if this life is just the beginning... the part of life readying us for eternity. We are not born to die; instead, we are born to live for eternity. Are you looking for solutions to your problems? If so, there is one solution that solves all of your problems, and that solutions is Jesus Christ. Blessings!
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