This will be quick and quite inadequate in dealing with a very important topic. My main purpose is to point to something that is undeniably a big deal, a huge problem in our world today--loneliness and disconnectedness. Hopefully, it will whet your interest to do some more study.
Unless you are on the extreme end of disconnection, in which case you probably aren't reading this, you are aware that isolation, strained social interactions, or even an almost total lack of meaningful social interaction, and the resulting loneliness, and doubts about the meaning of one's life are big problems. The fact is, even though we recognize the problem we likely don't see how wide and deep it is. I didn't.
Al Mohler's daily "Briefing" for May 3, 2023 tipped me off to an advisory by US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. Mohler gives a good summary of the report and points to its implications for those of us who see the world through a Biblical lens. The page that contains the recording of the "Briefing" also includes a link to the Surgeon General's report.
I quickly read/skimmed the advisory report this morning. It is full of disturbing statistics and trends. Not only the prose, but the artfully done charts and illustrations point strongly to an issue that is a growing problem in America, and beyond. More and more people are disconnected from meaningful relationships. The result is loneliness and a host of other issues. These problems are not only seen on an individual level. This "epidemic" threatens the fabric of our society. I plan to read the publication more carefully.
Most of us are aware of COVID's negative impact on social interaction. The advisory points out that the problem did not originate with the pandemic. It did, however, make it worse. The last portion of the Surgeon General's publication wisely points to the future. Unless corrective action is taken (I haven't read the report closely enough to know whether I agree with Dr. Murthy's prescriptions or not) the problem will continue. The problem, and the questions as to what we should do about it, are matters that should be of great interest to Christians.
Here is one of the charts that illustrates the growing problem:
Often, we see the Bible as standing in opposition to the conclusions of science, and I am not downplaying that tension. However, if we are right in believing that the Creator of the world and the ultimate author of the Bible are the same Person, then we should expect that science, honestly done, and Bible understanding, based on sound hermeneutics, should be aligned, not in conflict. As I read the Surgeon General's words of concern and warning, I was struck again and again with this alignment.
The Triune God, out of His marvelous existence of sublime relationship between Spirit, Son, and Father, created humans as creatures of relationship, with one another and with Him. In the Old Testament God chose to work through a nation. In the New Testament we meet the transnational body, the Church. An intensely relational entity through which God moves His grand plan forward. While there is far more that we don't about Heaven than we do know, it is clear that the eternal abode of God's children is a place of unhindered relationships, "now I know in part, but then I will know fully" (I Cor. 13:12), we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).
While God has supremely communicated to us through His word, the Bible. He also communicates through His world, and since we are created in His image, through our hearts. You can see this in Psalm 19, Romans 1-2, and the Book of Ecclesiastes. In taking a look at our world, focusing on human interactions, and the lack thereof, Dr. Murthy and his team have exposed a truth that is clear in Scripture.
It is not good for man to be alone.
I encourage you to listen to, or read the transcript of Mohler's "Briefing, read or at least look through the Surgeon General's advisory, and--and this is most important--plug into a community of people who take the Word of God seriously, a place where soul-nourishing relationships are encouraged. That would be a good, Bible-believing/teaching/living church. Let me know if I can help.
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In my quick reading of this advisory, I did little more than read the headings in Chapter 4, A National Strategy to Advance Social Connection.
I was apprehensive about this section. I feared it would be fraught with "gender inclusion" and "offense triggering avoidance" language. It isn't. I was pleasantly surprised.
The suggestions for addressing the problem include the involvement of "faith-based" groups. The importance of family and parental influence are given due recognition.
In fact the following line, with very little adjustment, could be the theme of a Bible-oriented sermon or lesson: "[A] culture of connection rests on core values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another" (53).
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