Fallenness in the World
If you turn on the news or search the internet, the first thing you will see is probably something about the coronavirus or the effects that it is causing. I don’t want to write much on that topic since you already see it everywhere whether it be on the news, social media, or on the internet. Instead, I want you to think about other people and what they are going through.
But’s let quick rewind before talking about that and talk about Tripp and his book. In chapter 9, Paul Tripp talks about where people should go from here based on what they have been reading in this book thus far. One point he makes is that “you don’t have to deny the fallenness of the world around you” and educators around the world are seeing this right now as they aren’t teaching in their classrooms and interacting with their students face to face. Teachers are supposed to be teaching their students face to face and interacting with them, not teaching them over technology. We can very clearly see at this moment that our world is fallen and broken. We don’t have to do much searing to see that. The coronavirus and its effects are all a part of the fall.
Erin Einhorn, writer for NBC News wrote an article titled “As coronavirus closes schools, teachers, and families brace for massive experiment in online education”. Here is the link if you want to read it: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/coronavirus-closes-schools-teachers-families-brace-massive-experiment-online-education-n1160966. Even though there is nothing mentioned in this article that we are living in a fallen world, you can see it as you read it. Teachers are figuring out how to teach their students over computer screens. Like I said before, teachers aren’t mean to teach all of their students over technology; they are meant to be learning together in person. A lot of teachers don’t have the training to properly teach students over technology because there was no time before all of this hit.
It is okay for people to be angry at what is happening in the world. It is okay for people to admit that they are struggling with temptations. It is okay for people to question why life has suddenly turned upside down. It is okay to cry out for help. It is okay for people to be sad at they look at the world around them. Tripp reminds believers of Romans 8 and that “Paul argues here that because you have been blessed with the unshakeable love of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can face the struggles of this fallen world with honesty and hope. Biblical faith never requires you to deny reality” (137). As believers, we don’t have to deny what is going on in the world, but we have hope through all of that. The result of everything going on is because of what happened in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3). So, as teachers and educators, let’s not deny the fact that we are supposed to be teaching in classrooms. Let’s run to God with hope because of what Jesus has already done for us on the cross.
Through all of this, I think it is also important to remember that God made us to have relationships with one another. People aren’t meant to always stand 6 feet apart from each other, so this is another example of the fallen world. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (NIV). This isn’t just talking about marital relationships, but also friendships. Friendships are seen between a teacher and their students. Since educators are not able to interact with their students face to face, this is an example of the fall. In a perfect world, teachers would be teaching and interacting with their students in classrooms with no disruption and everything going as planned.
For those who aren’t in the education field, I would challenge you to really think about how you are doing in light of all of this. How can you creatively love those around you while remaining 6 feet apart? How can you love educators, parents and children who are struggling with online schooling? Love one another. Spend some time thinking about the ways that God hasn’t changed despite everything that is changing in our world today.
Additional Resources:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/the-coronavirus-is-a-result-of-the-fall/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/what-hasnt-changed-during-a-global-pandemic/
Works Cited:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. Zondervan, 2005.
Tripp, Paul David. Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies. Crossway, 2013.
