9 Jul 2022
FW Ep 65 The Hundred Year Plan
I recently listened to a podcast where the hosts were debating how to save the world from man-made catastrophic climate change. They questioned whether one person could make any difference or whether the world could only be saved by global action? These apprehensive individuals believed, with extreme religious zeal, that the world was going to spiral into disaster if something, anything, and everything weren’t done. I won’t debate the merits of their arguments here. That is a subject for a different book. But, one of the hosts made a statement so outrageous that it lodged in my memory.
They were discussing how an individual might interrupt and change every aspect of their life to protect the earth. One of their personal actions steps was to choose not to have children. Their logic went something like, “People are destroying the earth. Reducing the population will reduce the damage to the planet. It is environmentally wrong to have children. Therefore, if I do not have children, I will be doing my part in saving the world. I am noble and good because of this.”
One host condemned the other, in humor, for having already failed in this. Paraphrasing here, “You already have two kids. It’s too late for you, but I am not having kids. I’m still environmentally pure.” To my shock the other host replied with a guilty tone of voice, “I know. I’m sorry,” as if he had sinned and fallen short.
How could anyone believe this? I could not fathom the brainwashing needed to view your own children this way. And then, I realized that this is our GIANT DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY! The differences in reproduction rates between people groups are a powerful force through time. Having the advantage of just one more offspring per family can transform a small minority into the majority in a hundred years. Do you have any idea how powerful this tool could be?
Let’s look at how a higher birth rate over time can change the culture. In fact, it is the only way to restore freedom to a land that has forgotten its roots. We must raise freedom and truth-lovers, so they can raise freedom and truth-lovers. It’s just math. Consider the following doubling principle. Two parents have four kids. That is replacement plus two. Each of those kids grows up, marries, and has four kids. That’s sixteen grandkids. At the same reproduction rate, those sixteen grandkids lead to sixty-four great-grandchildren. If we can pass on our values well, we can change the course of our world in a hundred years.
Unfortunately, it is not as easy as the math indicates. Good values are always just one generation from being lost, for every child and grandchild must choose to embrace the cause of freedom and truth for themselves. That doesn’t happen as automatically as parents would like. But even if reality isn’t as optimistic as my math, we can still change the course of our culture. There are a lot more of us than it appears. I believe it would not take long to turn the tide if we, fathers, take a stand for our families and embrace these principles.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 127:3-5 NIV
