Were the good old days all that good? In answer to that question, one may ask in what way and at what time? For example if one looks at the city of San Francisco one will find that the city was safer in the 1800’s than the 1940’s. In the 1800’s Charles De Young, the head of the San Francisco Chronicle was gunned down by the son of the San Francisco mayor. The culprit was found not guilty by reason of self defense. Needless to say, the Chronicle was not pleased with the verdict. Perhaps De Young did no help his cause by trying to gun down the mayor. The San Francisco of the 1940’s was apparently very safe. Several seniors have told this writer how nice the city was at the time.

But the 1940’s were also a time of sacrifice and hardship. World War II was in full swing for the United States from 1941 to 1945. People had to learn to do without. One day was called meatless Tuesday where one had to go without meat.

Even more trying financially was the Great Depression of the 1930’s. About 25% of the population was out of work. Perhaps the one advantage to that time was almost everybody was equally poor. One deceased veteran said it was not unusual to be eating beans and franks or someone having hole in their shoe. Some people had to travel all over the country to find work. Polio was a big killer. Medical technology was not as advanced as it is today. Yes, people did try to help each other out. But there were bad people even back then. A Lutheran pastor, now deceased, told this writer that the chief of police was the biggest bootlegger in town. Eventually the good citizens in the town were able to get rid of him, by not renewing his contract.

Perhaps one may say each age appears to be the best of times and the worst of times. While the Bible does say things will get worse until Christ returns, it does not say the progression will be a straight downward path. History does not always go up on a straight upward path or a straight downward path. It seems to back and forth. Just look at the history of the kings of Judah. Some followed God others rebelled against him.

Ever since the fall, man has been seeking to recreate the Garden of Eden. It’s not going to happen. Attempts at building utopia end up being dystopias or nightmares. Just look at the examples of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union or Mao’s China. One should remember that the word utopia, coined by Thomas More, means no place. In other words it does NOT exist.

This does not mean Christians should be indifferent to the sufferings of others. But help has to come from the small level. How many people remember that it was people from the church who founded hospitals, universities and charitable institutions? Christians are called to proclaim the Gospel and be good neighbors. But there is only so much that can be done. It is Christ, not the church who will create the new heaven and new earth.

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