Lesson 8: Power Over Nature

Power is simply the ability to do something. I decided to examine it to better understand our society’s acceptance of an abusive form. Public figures profess absolute power, enabling them to do whatever they want, even to define what is right or true. Private individuals think freedom gives them the power to say or do anything they please, even to take advantage of those weaker than themselves.

It did not take long to realize there is a relationship with the earth-shattering changes made by modern technology. Throughout most of our history, technology focused on nature. It helped us protect ourselves from natural disasters. We could use it to harness natural forces such as wind, water, and fire for our benefit. It provided tools for utilizing natural processes so that we might tend the soil even though we acknowledged nature provided the growth.

Nature was a power with which we had to reckon. It was often equated with reality.

In the modern era, technology’s goal has moved from working within nature’s limitations to overcoming them. Industry sees nature as a provider of resources to make things. Tremendous systems supply food, fuel, and energy more efficiently than nature. We live in an artificial environment that is more dependent on technology than nature.

Although it at first seemed far-fetched, I found that looking at the public abuse of power usually ended up with some reference to modern technology. Believing the power of technology enables us to control nature fosters the belief that we can control reality. Everything becomes a social construct.

The question then becomes who has the right to construction. Some think democracy gives this to the elected, who are granted the privilege of determining realty for their constituents. Others believe that power is extended to all individuals who can decide for themselves what is real.

It’s upsetting when Christian groups participate in this abusive use of power. Some read the Genesis creation stories granting humanity unconditional power over nature. They feel comfortable chanting “Drill Baby Drill,” because God gave it for us to use. Others think the Christian mission is to take power over others for Jesus in every cultural area.

Traditional Christianity believes the creation stories reveal our responsibility to manage creation for God. The Psalms even speak of God’s presence in nature. That does not mean reality is defined by the natural world. God’s people practice a Sabbath life style that finds power in God’s Word, and it calls for using power to serve others, especially those in need.

Tags: Christian Concept of Power. Christian Use of Power, Modern Technology Overcomes Limitations of Nature, Power of Technology over Reality, Reality as Nature, Unchecked Political Power, Unconditional Power