Torch, Winter 2012

institution is shaken. In today’s world, we are experiencing complex turmoil as the foundations for multiple institutions give way, leading to anxiety and helplessness. Each time we adjust to our shifting world, we do so with a little less confidence that anything can be truly stable. The current turbulence of our social institutions exposes the emptiness of the trust we have placed in them. Whether traditional or contemporary societal arrangements, none of those attachments can carry the weight that faith in God alone can provide. A proper understanding of divinely ordained institutions enables Christians to rest in the blessings that are granted through them. When fear seems natural, perhaps even appropriate, Christians have an opportunity to model a response that reflects their theological foundation and faith in Christ. But we, too, are prone to anxiety and often swayed by cultural unrest. Those who build their house upon the rock of God’s Word will be equipped to withstand the shifting sands of contemporary society. Understanding Our Interconnected Institutions Social scientists recognize five basic institutions in any society: the family, religion, education, government, and the economy. No matter how developed or simple a society might be, every group of people arranges life around these five primary institutions. The relationship of these institutions to one another and to the broader culture has changed dramatically over the last century. Prior to the 20th century, the driving force of our American culture was the combined influence of family and religious institutions. The other three institutions were necessary and operative but played a largely supportive role. Such is still the case in many societies of the world. The Islamic world serves as a classic example, as family and religion are the engines that form culture and life among Muslim peoples. Many social scientists believe that, because of the 20th century Western institutional revolution, the economy has replaced family and religion as the primary institution that defines culture and determines life in the other four. For example, we structure our family life around the rhythm of a five-day workweek, saving the majority of our home interactions for the weekend. The American Church has long relied on volunteer workers, mostly women, to further its ministries. But with more women employed outside the home today and fewer involved church members, successful church ministry now requires more full-time employees, placing a financial burden on local churches. Likewise, the economic institution has influenced education. In higher education especially, students (and their parents) want to know that their significant investment will lead to a promising career. They often view traditional subjects including history, literature, science, and philosophy as less relevant since they do not appear to bolster a résumé. The value of education has become the extent to which it enables students to market themselves to future employers. Government and the economy are becoming increasingly interconnected. In a one-way shift of authority, local governments have less autonomy as they are eclipsed at the national level. The trade-off is the promise of more services and security at a lower cost. Government is good at promising the free services everyone wants, but the economic reality is someone has to pay for them. Consider the current European focus on economic austerity — as political satirist P.J. O’Rourke quips, “If you think health care is expensive, wait until it’s free.” Almost everything about our culture comes back to the economic institution. A culture rooted in the economy gives rise to materialistic perspectives on life. But living well involves more than the physical Winter 2012 | TORCH 5