The other day I was talking about the election with some friends. One of my most-trusted insiders, Michael Cage (a first rate marketing genius – at 28 years old he has yet to show the world what he is fully capable of) commented, “One of the things that defines the generation that elected Barack Obama is we just don’t relate to an us-vs-them mentality when we look out at the rest of the world. Everyone in the world is just an email away.”
Ten years ago someone commented, “These days you may not even know your next door neighbor, but you exchange emails with your buddy in South Africa twice a week.” I looked out the window at the house next to mine – barely knew the neighbors – and yes I was sitting there sending emails to someone in some far-off country.
Every week I get on conference calls and say hi to everyone and barely think twice about the fact that I’ve got 17 people from Texas, four from Perth, one from Amsterdam, one in Alaska, one in Lebanon.
Ever heard Thomas Friedman’s “McDonalds theory of world peace”? He observes that with only one exception, no two countries with a McDonalds have ever gone to war with each other.
Can you imagine, say, the US going to war with Australia? Think of all the emails the senators and congressmen would get: “Hey, stop trying to kill my customers! And by the way, here’s a list of 115 blogs from people who are trapped in the Siege of Sydney right now!”
The world of 2008 is truly a strange and wonderful place. Just before we took off for Nebraska to go see relatives, I loaded the first season of The Dukes of Hazzard on my video iPod so my 10 year old son would have something to watch while we trucked down Interstate 80.
That TV show ran in 1979 – the year that *I* was 10 years old. I said to Laura, “Who would’ve thought that 25 years later you’d be able to download an entire season of the Dukes of Hazzard onto a device that’s half the size of a pack of cigarettes, and our kids would watch it in the car with headphones and a 2″ screen?” We shake our heads in amazement.
OK, so what does all this have to do with Christmas?
Equality and technology… They have everything to do with Christmas.
Let’s start with equality.
The United States Declaration of Independence makes a world-shattering declaration that transformed the modern world:
“We hold these things to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
In his book “Democracy in America” (1835) Alexis de Tocqueville carefully traces this statement and its idea of equality backward through history and lands at Galatians 3:28, the words of St. Paul:
“In Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. All are equal in Christ Jesus.”
Before Paul said this, no one had ever made such a bold and sweeping statement. No one. Not the Jews or Babylonians, not the Egyptians, not the Greeks, not the Chinese. The concept of equality came first from Paul.
This idea got planted in western civilization and began to grow and develop, little by little dismantling slave trade, sowing the seeds for democracy and spurring technological and political progress. He says that from 1100 AD to the present, every major development led to more equality, not less. The Magna Carta. The invention of the horseshoe. The invention of the gun and the post office and the printing press and democracy.
If you live in a democracy and you’re thankful for the ability to vote, if you’re thankful that people generally consider you and themselves to be just as good as anybody else, then thank Paul. And his Rabbi, Jesus.
Because – despite what the Declaration says – equality really is NOT self evident. At least it wasn’t to any of the ancient world prior to 2000 years ago. On the surface, we’re all different. Some are stronger. Some are smarter. Some have more money. Some are politically connected. Some are more savvy.
And some people get the scraps.
You have no principle to guide you but the 80/20 rule. Which, divorced from any overriding sense of equality or individual dignity, is a cruel master.
But when Paul said this, he was declaring that there is an underlying *spiritual* reality, that yours and my true identity doesn’t come from accomplishments or money or power but from our Heavenly Father. That once we know that true identity we’re no longer slaves to money and power and accomplishments and the ‘natural’ order of things.
If you’re thankful that Western Civilization today considers all people to be intrinsically equal, be thankful that a young couple in Bethlehem gave birth to a baby who was to become the most loved, most hated, most argued about, most written about, most influential person in the history of the world. One who taught that the greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. One in whom there is no male or female, no Jew nor Greek, no slave nor free.
So then how about technology?
Science itself is, at its core, a presumption of discoverable underlying order. A belief, an assumption (which cannot be proven in advance BTW) that when an apple falls from a tree it does so because of some law of nature that caused it to do so. That there was a string of cause and effect that can be traced back to explain why this happened.
The apple did not fall from the tree because, say, Zeus was having a snit with Apollo and that’s why there was the lightning storm which is why there was a wind that caused the apple to swing back and forth and fall from the tree…. no, it happened for rational discoverable reasons. That God made a world which could operate consistently on its own without Him constantly making corrections from the outside.
So far as I can tell, the inspiration for this belief first came from Wisdom of Solomon 11:21: “Thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight.”
(The Protestants omitted that book, but our Catholic friends thankfully left it in.)
If a scientist does not presume that there is a rational reason for what he is about to investigate, there is nothing for him to investigate at all. Belief in rationality comes from belief in a rational God. A God who wants us to discover His universe. For whom such discovery is an act of worship.
If you read the history of science over the last 500 years, the only reason science succeeded in the West – after getting started but failing in Greece, Rome, China and in the Arab world – is that Christian theology understood God to have created the universe to operate according to fixed discoverable laws. Theology made that prediction, then people had a philosophical basis for having a scientific method.
In his fascinating book “The Victory of Reason” historian Rodney Stark further explains that the forward march of technology began after the fall of the Roman Empire and has marched steadily forward ever since. Equality implied that slavery was wrong, so people had to develop technology in order to free their slaves and still get the work done. So… part of the inspiration for inventions like water wheels was a belief in dignity and freedom and the rights of the individual.
Technology is supposed to empower people, not enslave them. Because, as Paul said, in Christ, all are equal.
If you trace these ideas back through history, equality and technology and even iPods and Democracy have everything to do with our very beliefs about the universe and about God. And yes, even Jesus. Case in point: it’s politically incorrect to say “Merry Christmas” cuz it’s too religious. Instead you get a tepid, watered down “Happy Holidays.”
It’s because Christ is offensive. When a guy smashes his thumb with a hammer, he doesn’t say “Krishna” or “Buddha,” he says Jesus Christ. Because that’s the most loaded, most powerful word in the English language. There’s no name you can invoke that’s more powerful than the Son of God.
~~~
Do you know what the most important invention in the history of the world was?
It wasn’t the computer. And it sure wasn’t the light bulb or the telephone. (Or even the electronic voting machine.)
It was the printing press.
In 1445, Johannes Gutenberg invented the world’s first movable type printing press. He didn’t know it, but he was unleashing a revolution that continues to this day. Even the mighty Internet in the 21st century is just an extension of Gutenberg’s original, revolutionary machine.
The first book he printed was the Bible. And that led to controversy, too, because Luther translated it into German, the people’s language, instead of Latin, the lingo of the religious elite.
Suddenly, ordinary folks could not only afford a copy, but they could read it for themselves instead of getting some guy’s slanted interpretation. Soon the cat was out of the bag–there were copies scattered all over Europe.
When people started to read it, they were alarmed at what they saw, because between the covers of this book was an amazing story that had seemingly little to do with the politics and shell games they saw in some corners of organized religion.
Luther wrote a list of 95 accusations against the church — priests taking bribes and granting ‘indulgences’, an institution setting itself up as a ‘middleman’ between man and God.
He argued that God didn’t need a middleman, or a distributor, or an agent, or a bureaucracy. People could go direct to the source.
This little ‘schism’ in Worms Germany unleashed a firestorm of protest and permanently changed the way people approached education. No longer was a big, faceless institution responsible for your spiritual progress — YOU were. Now that you had the knowledge in your hands, you were accountable before God to do something about it.
I’m not trying to attack the Catholic church, by the way. The problem is not institutions per se; it’s just that it’s easier for most of us to mindlessly follow some guru than to listen to God’s still small voice, and use the minds He gave us.
It’s no coincidence that the scientific enlightenment and industrial revolution began in earnest within 50 years of this. Not that it wasn’t already underway (it had already gathered considerable momentum) but now that ordinary folks had access to knowledge and the freedom to pursue it, the possibilities were limitless.
The printing press took the handcuffs off of knowledge and spirituality, and the world has never been the same. Equal access to knowledge empowered people everywhere, and it was only natural that the Renaissance, and in time, democracy too would follow.
So on Christmas we celebrate the person who inspired these revolutions. Jesus’ teachings were radical and scandalous. He claimed to be the Son of God. He said he would rise from the dead, and according to the historical accounts, he did. He stepped into the world and split time in half: BC and AD. And his words still resonate throughout the earth in 2008.
Still rolls the stone from the grave.
Today I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. And in the spirit of what Jesus taught us, I hope that in 2009 you’ll use the 21st century printing press, the Internet, to not enslave but empower individuals. To bring more equality, to make the world a better place for your fellow man.
Thanks for reading.
Perry Marshall
P.S.: You might also enjoy my email series on science, “Where did the Universe Come From” as well as “7 Great Lies of Organized Religion.”
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About the Author
Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.
He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.
166 Comments on “Merry Christmas and the Dance of Equality, Technology and Spirituality”
Perry:
It’s good a fellow Illinois resident is injecting some religious elements, with the context of history, geography, and other academic disciplines. Happy Holidays.
Randy
I really enjoyed this article Perry. Well said!
Merry Christmas and God bless.
-Don
Perry’s Christmas message is wonderful, inspiring and needed in these uncertain times.
In the same way that he describes the startling revelations people discovered in the Bible, we have much printed material on the Internet that are waking people up to political truths they never dreamed of. I’m speaking of the truths about who is dismatling the freedoms and way of life in our beloved America.
Just like the religious elite back in Luther’s time misled the average person, so are today’s politial elitists. Just like WE are responsible to learn the truth about the God of the Universe, WE are responsible to know what is really happening to our country and our world.
Just like the religious leaders are NOT responsible for our spiritual well-being, so are our Congressmen NOT responsible for protecting our liberties – I AM…YOU ARE… WE ARE.
God created this incredibly beautiful country and he helped men secure some freedoms here. These leaders did their best to protect our liberties by writing the Constitution of the United States. But it was never assumed that each generation would gain the benefits of those freedoms without struggling, even fighting, to maintain them.
We have been asleep on our watch and are losing freedoms faster than we can say goodbye to them.
I have discovered a little document that has helped me to understand who is behind the misleading of Americans. It is on a little website called http://www.TheTinySpark.com
There are 2 free documents on that site. One is George Washington’s prophecy about the 3 wars that are fought on our soil (one is coming in the future). The other is about who is dismantling the freedoms in our country NOW. I was very surprised to learn who they are. They are not at all they people I had suspected or had been told were the culprits.
Finding out the truth is up to each one of us. The Bible is there for our spiritual guidance and the Internet can offer us the political truths we need to protect our freedoms, religious and otherwise.
Read the Dismanting Report on TheTinySPark.com. If you think it’s as enlightening as I think it is, use it to tell others why our financial situation is tanking — and what can be done about it. This report is not copyrighted.
Thank you, Perry, for your encouraging Christmas message. May you and everyone reading this blog have a prosperous New Year. God bless you all and God help us take back our lost freedoms.
Dusty
Hi Perry
Thank you for this forthright piece. I totally agree with it. Have you read any of Brian D McLaren’s books? I think you would enjoy them.
By the way, Christ didn’t think of equality first, it was God’s idea in the first place. Have a look at two little verses – Genesis 1:26 and 27, rarely quoted correctly.
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Thanks again for these words and for all you do to give to the world Perry.
Love and blessings
Jenni Wright
I love your comment, I so agree and to all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! May this year bring us all to that equality of oneness and one mind.
I want to thank you for taking the time to state your belief. Like many of us this belief is what keeps us moving forward each day.
Merry Christmas God bless!
Nice write Perry – engaging as always!
I think however, you ought to reread Plato/Socrates and Aristotle on Equality as despite you referencing Alexis de Tocqueville, Your statement:
¨ The concept of equality came first from Paul.¨
Is entirely untrue.
Kindest regards, Jimbo Thomas.
This post shared a lot of food for thought. As I am in college, it wasn’t too long ago, I was discussing much of this among my classmates, doing research, etc.
What fascinates me is how quickly the world is evolving technologically and otherwise since the Bible has been translated and therefore read and interpreted by pretty much everyone who can read. The Bible is interpreted by everyone in their own way. It speaks to all of us with different meanings. And I think its supposed to be that way. We shouldn’t argue or disagree over it.
I also strongly agree with what your friend said about why our country elected Obama. Having pride in your country is great, but more of us take pride in the whole world. Together, as one human race, we have accomplished so much. Let us be proud of our God and His Creation. Over time, nationality is becoming less important. We are moving away from thinking about what is best for our country and towards thinking about what is best for everyone everywhere.
One thing I would like to add is the importance of transportation such as planes, automobiles, and ships that allow people to travel quickly to far off places. This has also helped in the developments of technology, equality, and spirituality.
I hope people take to heart what you said about using the Internet to empower others. We can all do that with our words – both written and spoken.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you and your readers!
Why must you say, “according to historical accounts” Jesus rose from the dead? You are speaking of a man who has been dead for over 2000 years! Clearly he has risen. Your essay — your acknowledgment of the spirit defining his life — stands as proof.
In the same manner not only is it written Jesus walked on water, but it is proven he continues doing so to this very day. (Water being an essential element sustaining life, to “walk on water” is to transcend life, which is precisely what Jesus does, even now. Thus, the power of his name.)
It’s funny you should mention Gutenberg. On my website under “Things I Believe” I have written, “The internet is the greatest invention since Gutenberg’s printing press.”
You mention “the forward march of technology began after the fall of the Roman Empire and has marched steadily forward ever since.”
Regrettably, though, its progress has not been so steady. The one historically consistent intervening force thwarting technological progress has been the doing of those acting to serve mammon over God (these might be largely grouped by their common financial power). Greed born of this force has on many occasions acted as the anti-Christ thwarting our most natural yearning to find equality for ourselves, but also to influence its ascendancy for the sake of others. Yet we have as much ourselves to blame for this as the world around us…
Very well put! Thank You Perry.
I am continually amazed at the attitude displayed by those that emphatically deny the existence or….. Importance of our Creator and Savior. Their very lack of recognition as to the profound and lasting effects of Jesus and his action speaks of a much deeper disconnect from humanity. Whether the words were written from Jesus himself, Paul the epistle writer or some guy back in the 17th century is completely irrelevant because, the very essence of those words written in the Bible, speak of a source much greater than authors themselves. As a man who has endeavored with the sincerest of intentions to embark upon greatness only to fail miserably many times over I have come to realize that there is a higher source that is spurring me on to reach the prize. Despite the numerous obstacles and challenges encountered, my ability to endure is proof positive of God and his existence.
Problem is… perception is skewered. As these men persevered to let the world know of the eternal truth revealed in there hearts, they would pay the ultimate price for it. There would not be any turning back upon the commencement of the journey. Something was a’ stirring in their boots to declare “I’ve got to do this”. Reality is some people can’t decide to quit their job to start a new business because they are not sure if it will work out. With that being said, let’s not kid ourselves. Everything we have is because of his enormous Grace. It is a good thing that I am not GOD because this world would have been toast. And that is the point.
GOD’s love. His ways are higher than our ways. The very freedom with the very same tongue that was shaped by Jesus himself, used to curse him of his existence, was brought with the ultimate price so that the seeds of freedom could spread forever upon the fertile soil of planet earth. But, as I‘ve have gotten older, mankind’s disdain for GOD no longer bother me because GOD is not bother by it. As matter of fact he welcomes the challenge open and heartily. It was stated (not sure where) that Hate is not the opposite of Love. It is emotional Apathy. If hate is present, then that is an emotion that GOD is more than willing to shed light on to heal as with all men throughout the ages. Apathy is much more of a subtle danger.
How do we know this? Saul of Tarsus. He despised Christ and his followers with a passion unmatched by none with his whole zealous being to make it his life mission to exterminate any one who would dare utter name the name of Christ. Yet, he wrote a large portion of the New Testament and revolutionized the secular world. Supposedly a Jew’s Jew. How’s that for ironic!
We celebrate Christmas every year but, it is really Christ giving of himself every day. Ultimately is Christ purpose and plan to celebrate everyday in a perpetual gift-giving festival because that is his nature.
Merry Christmas
Lorenzo
What a coincidence that you are writing about new technology as I read your blog and leave a comment using the brand new amazon kindle my wife got me for christmas.
Perry,
You quoted Paul writing, “In Christ there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Greek, slave nor free. All are equal in Christ Jesus.”
Of course Paul was speaking to those who were followers of Jesus Christ saying that in “Christ” this was to be true. And Paul went on to say that those who were in Christ were also heirs in the promise that God gave to Abraham.
It is interesting to see how so many others who are not “in Christ” have found freedom at some level because of this concept being applied to others who are not yet in Christ.
As American’s I think that we, or at least myself and others that I do business with, tend to extend this belief to others and that the words from the US Declaration of Independence “that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” are part of our internal wiring and so we project that to others outside of our own country.
I find that I do this more now as I’m connected with staff in the Philippines, a php programmer in Shanghai and a WordPress developer in Pakistan. I believe that the technology we use and especially the Internet is helping to not only make the world seem smaller but for freedom and equality to spread to others that have not known it before in their homelands.
It is good to remember that without the Christmas story the world would not have the hope that believers in Christ have or, for that matter, those who have yet to put their trust in Him.
Thanks for this interesting perspective on how all this fits together and makes sense to the world that is looking to find something to trust in. Equality and technology, do go together for those of us who are involved in this new form of business using the Internet to sell products/services and connect with each other.
Have a Blessed Christmas!
Henry Griner
Internet Marketing
Technology Consultant
Perry,
Excellent article. Thanks.
A very Blessed Christmas to you and your family as you travel between Chicago and God’s country here in Nebraska!
In Christ,
Charlie
Earlier this year we visited the Wartburg castle where Luther translated the bible. It’s a three hour drive from here. During the whole tour around the castle Martin Luther was just mentioned towards the end. Only after the tour we got to see the room where Luther threw his inkpot at the devil. We actually had to ask where we can find the room.
It seems as if management tries very hard to make unknown Elisabeth von Thüringen the main attraction of the castle. When I asked why they would not make Luther the center of attraction of the castle the attendant got rude.
That in turn got a catholic group of schoolgirls from Bavaria angry who had to visit some religious sites on their classtour. The were really upset to hear about Elisabeth of Thuringia on Schloss Wartburg and not more about Martin Luther.
Even the most unsensible atheist would have to at least see sense from a marketing perspektive.
Obviously communism has left its tracks. When I moved here I was suprised how many people in Eastern Germany do not know what the bible or who Jesus is.
Luckily the internet enables everybody to make his own picture.
What more? I have the impression the more suppressed women are, the poorer the country.
Frohe Weihnachten
Markus Trauernicht
“That God made a world which could operate consistently on its own without Him constantly making corrections from the outside.”
Then you have to belief that he created us based on the same reasoning.
Putting those two together, God created a self sufficient world with self sufficient individuals.
The tool God gave us that made all possible is ” FREE WILL”.
The same tool made it possible to be exactly where we at today.
The same tool will make it possible to be where we want to be tomorrow.
Thanks for the good reading….
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Merry Christ Mass (Christmas is derivative) Perry, to you and your family.
Hmm, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Empowering people to be all they are capable of being is a high calling that crosses through all areas of government, society and faith. I could go on for several paragraphs, but it’s time to get Christ Mass dinner started. Excellent post and message. May we all heed it.
We can’t get too far spiritually, being self-centered and domineering.
I’m thinking a lot today about unconditional love, and how Jesus exemplified that (as well as and how I can work on that in my own life.)
After all, isn’t unconditional love part of our still voice within? And isn’t it also a great equalizer and equality-maker?
Many blessings and Merry Christmas Perry.
-John
P.S. I’m also thinking about why batteries still aren’t included in all toys that require them, especially when there’s no mention them not being included on the box…but that’s another story!
As always, I love your writings, Perry, whether about AdWords, other pithy marketing topics, or musings in the realm of spirituality and personal growth.
Already checked out your email series at CosmicFingerprints.com. Time to see what CoffeeHouseTheology.com is all about. :)
(PS Minor typo in blog post above — the word “tree” appears twice in the phrase before “Zeus”.)
Great Article!
Alot of the things I also feel as truth.
Thanks and may 2009 be ever prosperous for you and yours.
Kim
Excellent article. Just think God knew about all this technology from the very beginning, Just wonder why it took all these years to get here. I guess a question we have to ask when we get to heaven. For those concerned about the troubles that go on every day around us I love these words of Jesus which give us assurance: “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world”
Merry Christmas!
John F Hunt
twitter.com/johnfhunt
This is well thoughtful of you…
I wrote a post on my blog tooo. I will be glad if you could take time to read it and also comment on it tooo.
Thanks
http://www.spiritofjesus.blogspot.com
Thanks for your article.
Really does put things in perspective.
Here is a note from The New Scofield Study Bible on Gen 1:28:
This is the divine magna charta for all true scientific and material progress. Man began with a mind that was perfect in its finite capacity for learning, but he did not begin knowing all the secrets of the universe. He is commanded to “subdue,” i.e. acquire knowledge and mastery over the material universe, to bring its elements into the service of the race.
Again thanks for you article
Merry Christmas
Grace and Peace
I agree that Gutenberg revolutionized the Western World, but I often wonder if its import has been outdone by the guys at AT&T Bell Labs in the 1940s when they discovered the transistor. That event revolutionized communication world-wide.
I read the Bill Joy piece (In 1987, I wrote the definitive manual for Joy’s “vi” text editor that runs on Unix) and while his ideas are intriguing, I find the entire discussion rather moot.
Here’s why:
Many professed atheists attempt to use all sorts of ideas to eliminate God or the need for God for the simple reason that if there is no God, there is no absolute right or wrong. If there is no right or wrong, there can be no sin, and therefore no accountability to a Higher Power for how we live our lives. Then it all becomes an argument of man vs. machine or the universe, and if we descend from some theoretical “big bang”, then there is no particular significance to ourselves or our individual pathetic existences.
On the other hand, if man is the created sons and daughters of the Great Creator Himself, then we have within us the seeds of divinity — whether we choose to accept that reality or not — and therefore are doing ourselves a huge injustice to ever think we are or should allow ourselves to be less than the best person each of us is capable of being, given our imperfect, fallen nature.
And as sons and daughters of God Himself, of course He being perfect would never esteem one of us as being more important than another, just as I look at my nine children and find great appreciation in their individualities without esteeming one above another. From that principle comes the endowment of inalienable rights by God, not by government.
I am perplexed, but not surprised at the elitism exhibited by those of “superior” education. For some reason, a degree from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, or others renders the recipient both socially and intellectually superior to the unwashed masses that graduated from some state college somewhere that nobody’s ever heard of.
Even to the point that the rest of us are morons and ignoramuses because of our educational disability.
I’m an engineer and a quite competent writer. Before my retirement, I worked about 3-4 hours per day in real productive work. Yet when I left, it took an MIT grad and two others to replace me — full time. But I graduated from a small state college most people have never heard of. And I graduated in a class of 23 students from high school. One of those students babysat two brothers who are currently in the US Congress and Senate, and one is being nominated as US Secretary of Interior.
My major professor was a farmer. My degree was a liberal arts degree in physics. And I’ll take that over a Harvard degree any day of the week.
Why?
Because I have noticed a simple fact: Some people have an excess of education, and that leads to constipation of the mind to the point that many of them are full of it.
As a physicist, I know if I find a tall building, get up on the roof, and jump over the side, I can assert at the top of my lungs, “I don’t believe in gravity!” but doing so will not affect the impact my carcass makes with the ground one whit.
And no matter the arguments by agnostics, atheists, et al regarding the non-existence of God, those arguments have no effect whatever on the truth that God exists, and we all are accountable to Him, our Father, for how we live our lives — whether we like it or not.
And when we are called before Him to be judged out of the books of records being kept by unseen observers of our thoughts and deeds, there will be no question of the meaning of the word “is”, or the “legality” of various “allowable” means of defrauding investors or taxpayers through government graft and corruption, and those power-hungry money grubbers of Wall Street and Washington will be required to repay the uttermost farthing — including the lost hopes and dreams of innocent widows and orphans whose meager means was robbed from them by unseen “money managers” who cared more for their limousine lifestyle than caring for those they were capable of helping, but wouldn’t.
Christ truly taught: “Even as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” He then makes it clear those deeds, good or ill, will not be forgotten on that Great Day of Judgment.
Man’s ability to create marvelous machines and stunning technology is a gift from God and we are benificiaries. But those technologies are being given for a greater purpose than is recognized, even by many active participants in them. Therefore God will not allow machines to overthrow the free will of man.
We were created by God to be agents unto ourselves — to willfully select between good and evil. The test of this life is simple: Which of the two will we choose. When some choose evil, it brings consequences on others as well. But God will repay — in due time.
There is talk about a “culture war”. It is not a culture war. It is a fundamental battle between Good and Evil that has been raging since the before the world was even created, and we are full participants in that battle, whether we like it or not.
If we are found to be on the right side in that battle, it will be well with us. If not, the eternal opportunities that await will be quite different.
Clarke Echols
So speaking off using Jesus to accentuate something, I have a cute story to tell: When I moved to North America many years ago, I played soccer on my school team. I did not speak a word of English and coming from Europe we would use words that showed frustration when something went the wrong way, such as missing the goal on repeated attempts etc.. I heard other players say what I thought was “Cheese” and I started using that in disgust when I missed a shot here and there….after weeks of this finally somebody asked me (slowly) why I always said Cheese when I screwed up? Well, I told him that everybody else uses that world and I thought it was appropriate…..I was immediately informed that the world was Jesus and not Cheese…..
As you can imagine I felt like a tool and immediately corrected myself in using the Lords name properly…..Merry Christmas!
I appreciate reading the history behind the scientific progress and the religious progression of our Christian and Jewish Faith. We are in this country held in bondage by too much political incorrect media and human influence. Thank you for your article. It is my wish this article circles the world wide web many times and is read by millions and millions of people. It indeed the truth can set us free, the truth in my humble opinion is in this article.
Merry Christmas Perry and family. Really enjoyed this article on Jesus. I truly beleive his words, and I follow his guidance throughout each day of my life. Praise him as Lord and father of all people in the world. Excellent article.
Hi Perry,
Disclaimer: Although I’m an atheist and celebrate Christmas purely as a traditional winter holiday, and actually believe that we would have attained equal rights and democracy a lot faster (and would progress further today) without religion holding us back…
I agree with you about the effect that we’re seeing of the younger generation growing up with the idea of a very small world. I think that’s going have a dramatic effect over the next 20 or 30 years on how politics is done between countries. The younger generation has also grown up with 8 years of disastrous arrogant foreign policy, and they saw the effect from talking to their friends in other countries.
However, I will say this — there is also a danger to this. I see a lot of naivete in the Internet generation, where they believe that there are no bad guys out there, only “misunderstood” people. They are in for a rude awakening when they realize that sometimes — really — the only solution is to start dropping bombs on bad guys until they stop.
And in the spirit of the season, thanks for the gifts of knowledge that you give away. Merry Christmas!
I enjoyed this post very much, Perry. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thanks for reminding us that our Founders created a noble and wildly successful experiment in democracy and freedom built on faith but able to be enjoyed by all. Perfect? No. Still changing, adapting, and still an experiment? Yes. Let’s strive to remember the underlying basis of freedom and inherent equality that you correctly observe compelled so many changes in such a short historic time span. Be well and Merry Christmas.
David M. Frees
http://www.successtechnologies.com/blog
Face book: David M Frees
Twitter Davefrees
Perry,
Well said, we are all been invested in the Judeo Christian principles of life eventhough some swing way too far right or left of these principles inherited for the betterment of mankind.
Time was not time until it was devided in light and darkness, in morning and evening (Genesis 1:4) Like you said technology is an extension of Gutenberg’s work, more refined and much more sophisticated.
I appreciate your point of view, despite that I am not religious, I revere Jesus Christ. Those who oppose Him, ambrace the archaic way of life that plagued the dark ages.
I just began reading your blogs, I am not a techie, but I would like to start an online business working from home. Any suggestions?
Mish
Wow! What a refreshing comment. I was excited to read this post.
I have often thought of how the world could really work for everyone, no matter what religious or political views each individual has.
Does God exist? Not one of us can live without breathing air. So, it could be said that I am dependent on something greater than myself for my very existence. Not only air, but animals and plants, and my parents and other people who bring me products and service for me to live. In that sense we are all dependent on a higher power. If it wasn’t for love, I couldn’t love.
Christians say that God is love and that Jesus is the son of God. Jesus said that the only way to the kingdom of heaven is through him. So, it could be said that the only way to heaven is through love.
When we look at our place in history and if we live in a dream that has love be the main dominating factor of our relationship with each other then the internet, as a communication tool, certainly holds the promise of providing equal opportunity to anyone who can get on the internet.
Now, our community can embrace eveyone of us on this planet. If “love” is our reason, we embrace and look at everyone else as our fellow passengers on this planet.
You are a full expression of this and thanks for being that!
Perry, VERY well written. Merry Christmas!
And you know the crazy thing is, until today it was always a little bit ambiguous to me as to whether or not you were a believer. Now, you leave me with no doubt, and my heart is glad to see a fellow successful internet marketer who realizes it isn’t all about the money because it profits us nothing if we gain the whole world but lose our own souls.
Thank GOD for the printing press!
Grace and Peace
Brian
Perry,
I couldn’t agree more with all you wrote here.
As the Pastor of my church says it, “This “God” thing? It isn’t “a” thing…it’s the ONLY thing.”
I pride myself on including my spirituality in everything I do, without regard for the consequences. It almost NEVER causes a negative reaction from anyone.
The walls of my office are covered with my favorite scriptures. It always stimulates conversation with visitors, and probably 90% of the time it leads to a deep spiritual conversation in which I discover the same thing over and over and over: most people actually believe. They just don’t have any opportunity to connect with other believers to help nurture them and educate them.
As the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) commands, we are to “go and make disciples of all nations.” EVERYTHING else we do is secondary.
I have NO DOUBT that your success is as attributable to your faithfulness to God as it is to your actual talent. That is not a putdown – it is an acknowledgement that every mature Christian understands: God does it all. We are just the instruments, the vessels, the conduits through which He does what He does.
Merry Christmas, brother. Wishing you all God’s best in 2009 and beyond…
My best,
Michael McClure
Well written and thought provoking.
Thanks Perry and … Merry Christmas!
Well said, Perry. Merry Christmas everyone. Let us be thankful for our many, many blessings and remember our true calling- to spread the word and ministry of our Lord, Jesus with all of the tools at our disposal in all that we do!
We’re not free. Society isn’t free, even though most people mindlessly think we are. I agree witht the technological message of this post, but if you want to know more about where I’m coming from, watch the free Google Video movie Zeitgeist Addendum, and learn more about The Venus Project.
Then you’ll see what a lie it is we all live in.
Hi Perry,
Excellent article. Pretty unusual for you to publish this. Very Good article.
To your success
Jey Kumara
http://www.jeykumara.com
Perry:
I think you would greatly enjoy a book titled The Mainspring of Human Progress by Henry Grady Weaver. It was written in 1947, so you will need to do a used book search in Amazon. God bless!
In a world where everyone is scared to say Merry Christmas as you pointed out Perry it is great to read, great to hear, and great to say. Sometimes we worry about offending others but in that process we fail to take a stand on anything or express our own personal faith.
Thanks for putting this in writing for all to see. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Absolutely. It led me to read Kurzweil’s book, “The Age of Spiritual Machines”, which I found fascinating too.
And then, there was Bill Joy’s follow up article
a year or so later – am trying to locate a link to share with you – which took the more abstract
concept in this article to a more defined and
specific technology-backed argument.
Mind expanding – in a good way :)
Merry Christmas!
Dr.Mani
Bless you Perry. Your take on things is always beyond the norm and yet a person finds themselves saying, you know, he’s right.
I for one am glad God put you on this earth at this point in time, and that He allowed our paths to cross, so I might learn from you to think beyond the obvious and to look deeper at the meaning of things.
I have GIANT goals for 2009. I trust in their manifestation for Jesus said, if you but had the faith of a mustard seed. He has provided the tools and I have the faith, followed by works.
Many blessings of Love to you Perry and your family.
Christy & Keven
Perry,
What about the various theories of natural rights?
It doesn’t seem like the dichotomy needs to be God vs. survival-of-the-fittest mob rule.
Best,
– Jay
Perry,
Thank you very much. It takes strength of character at this time of the year to stand up!
I know this is not what you intended, but you now have a client for life!
Thanks again!
And….Merry Christmas!
Thanks for writing this. I enjoyed reading this post very much.
Recently, I was offered to promote a tempting, but scamming, affiliate offer, but decided to use the power of internet marketing for good and not for evil.
I may be thousands of dollars poorer now than I could have been, but I sleep better.
Merry Christmas
Hi Perry,
I read your emails with great curiosity and not sure if we should turn a business/professional blog into making political or religious commentary. Allow to me share with you that thousands of years ago, Vedas, the ancient book of universal knowledge from present-day India had said: “Aekam-Satya-Viprah-Bahudhah-Vadanti” transliterating to: God Almighty’s name is the sole truth that is interpreted by the knowledgeable folks in many different ways. Or, “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” … the whole world is one big family!
Love reading your stuff Perry. But when I think of it, I seem to think that equality is Utopian. All are equal but that does not guarantee all are treated equally. Those with more money, resources, knowledge and spiritual conviction always seem to have the advantage.
Reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite books Animal Farm: “All animals are created equal but some animals are more equal than others”
I often substitute animals with doctors, lawyers, presidents and yes even internet marketers.
Merry Christmas and a Mighty Prosperous 2009
-Kenn
Well said, Perry!
I wrote this for Christmas this year, thought I’d share it:
The angels came down
While Bethlehem slept.
To give glory to the King for whom no room was found.
They lit up the sky to welcome Him who had left His throne
To bridge the chasm between God and man. On this night it would begin.
“Glory to God in the highest!” they sang, “and on Earth peace, good will to men. For your Savior has come.”
For on that night God became flesh in His Son. God took the form of man so He could know His creation. Now He would know all the pain, the suffering and temptation that man knew. Now He would understand.
So in a dirty manger, wrapped in rags, the King of heaven came to the Earth. A tiny hand, the hand that wrapped the universe, reached out and touched the face of His mother. The finger of God had touched the earth.
The child known at first only to shepherds grew into a man. He knew hard work; the hands that formed the world were calloused with the labor of the common man. The King chose to share in normal work. No servants for Him, he became the servant of all.
Later these calloused hands would reach out and heal the sick, raise up the lame and open the eyes of the blind. He would teach not to hate, but love. He taught forgiveness of sins, not condemnation. He taught the kingdom of God had come.
We hated Him. We mocked Him. We condemned Him.
And these hands that built, hands that healed, these hands that formed the universe, were pierced on a cross by the people they created. The life that gave life was poured out for all..
The angels could not come down. He had to bear this burden alone. And the angels wept as the Son of God gave His life’s blood for ones He loved.
He hung there and died there for you, for me.
But 3 days later, the angels came down to roll a stone away to reveal an empty tomb; to proclaim that death could not hold the Son. He is alive! He paid the price of sin and set you free! Why do you seek Him among the dead? He is not here in the tomb. He is alive. He is risen!
Jesus returned to His rightful place as King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
As King He will return for those who have chosen His free gift: forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.
Now the hands that formed the universe, touched His mother’s face, worked a common job, comforted and healed, were pierced for our sins, hands of love reach down from eternity to you, to me. Will you reach out and take the hand of the Savoir? Will you take His Christmas gift of forgiveness and eternal life? Or will you sleep the sleep of Bethlehem and miss His return?
Merry CHRIST-as to all!
Gene Ilten
Dr. Mani, I read Bill Joy’s paper “Why the future doesn’t need us” on a plane flight to China in 2001. It resonated with me. It addresses the fundamental question, will technology be our master or our slave? A person with a theological education finds many thoughts in common with Mr. Joy. Thought provoking indeed.
I don’t think this is a settled question. It’s a culture war and the outcome has everything to do with whether we do indeed believe that humans are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights – or whether life on planet earth reduces to ‘survival of the fittest.’ The battle rages even now.
Perry Marshall
I absolutely loved this part:
“It’s because Christ is offensive. When a guy smashes his thumb with a hammer, he doesn’t say “Krishna” or “Buddha,” he says Jesus Christ. Because that’s the most loaded, most powerful word in the English language. There’s no name you can invoke that’s more powerful than the Son of God.”
I have never thought of it that way before but it speaks volumes and really puts a lot of things in perspective. (Jesus said the world would hate Him and Christians, why are so many surprised when some idiot at Wal-Mart complains when they are wished a merry Christmas?)
Thanks for sharing this Perry, excellent stuff
Ben
Perry, in this mood, you may find this article interesting (I know I did after first reading it in April 2000). It’s by Bill Joy, and titled “Why The Future Does Not Need Us!”
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html
All success
Dr.Mani