The word “normal” in social life and interaction refers to words, beliefs, behaviors, possessions, private and group undertakings, etc. that normally exist under normal circumstances. “Normal” can be viewed as the standard by which normal man conducts his everyday normal life. The specific words, acts, possessions, etc. found within normality are called “norms.” For example, the “norm” for Americans is to live in permanent, stationary structures. When someone steps outside the norm relative to their behavior, speech, beliefs etc. that one is referred to as “abnormal.” For example, a nomadic American who lives in a tent. From childhood on humans want to fit in, to be one of the group, to be accepted as an equal to those around him. Only the antisocial want to be known as abnormal.

Social/societal evolution is inevitable and over time creates “new normals.” What a society considers “normal” changes with each new generation as changes take place within the social, production, technological, political etc. realm. Let us take what has been the world’s most rapidly changing society on earth over the past 200 or so years as our example–the United States of America. In my youth (1940’s and 50’s) it was normal to have access to the world beyond ones senses only by way of a family radio. Movies could be enjoyed only by going to a theater. Conversations over distance could only take place by way of a family telephone. But not every family had a radio. Theaters were located in towns and cities some distance away from most people, the majority of whom lived in rural areas. Only a small percentage of American families owned a telephone. That was America’s “normal” during that era.

But change inevitably comes. By the 1960’s having a radio, a television and a telephone in the home was  the “new normal.” A continuous series of “new normals” have periodically changed the American society since those days as the reader can attest. The vast majority of people want to be involved in the “present normal,” which is unlike any “normal” of the past and will be different from any “normal” of the future. Twenty years from now, unless Christ returns sooner, today’s “normal” will be outdated and rejected.

Those who do not embrace each new normal are considered “old fashioned”– a major putdown for status-conscious man. In the eyes of the socially conscious, those who prefer the past need to “step up their game” and “live in the present.” They need to “go with the flow.” Otherwise they will be “left behind,” which, we are told, is not good. We are told to live in the present and to prepare for the future. Holding on to the past is a social death sentence. We need to own the latest _____________ and do the latest ______________ (fill in the blanks) in order to fit in and to be prepared for “newest normal” that will soon arrive. Which is true. Socially speaking, the changes man makes that change life for the better is good. I do appreciate air conditioning, permanent press clothing and jet air travel.

But what is good in one realm isn’t necessarily good in another realm. Bible students know that in the spiritual realm, change of any kind and to any degree is condemned. The unchanging God designed man’s spiritual life to be unchanging. Due to man’s refusal to obey Him, God made a change as is revealed in His Word. But that was HIS CHANGE, not man’s. God’s will never changes, but He sometimes changes the method by which He accomplishes His will, blood sacrifice for man’s sins being the primary example. His will was to enable man to receive forgiveness for his past sins. At the Last Supper just prior to His crucifixion Jesus announced that from that time forward His blood, not animal blood, would be shed for the sins of man. Though the end result remained the same (justification), the method used to bring about that result did change. But again, that was a change instigated by the Almighty, not by man. L.J.