Where Have All the Adults Gone?

The rapidly changing morals across Western societies is disorienting. It seems as though leaders have lost any appreciation of history and the lessons to be gained from life. How has this happened? Why have younger generations gained so much political power and influence so quickly? A recent editorial by Janet Daley in the UK’s Telegraph put it this way: “Where—to put it bluntly—have all the grown-ups gone? Presumably they have abandoned their leadership because of the faux righteousness of the young usurpers. But ironically the justification for this repressive coup is the opposite of what it claims to be: it is not tolerant, or liberal, or kind.”

She continues concerning this “coup” of the young, “Because it has no standard for truth other than personal feelings, it is determined to accept every individual’s assessment of his own identity and capabilities.” The article’s author further observed, “We have entered a Dark Age in which objective fact, evidence, argument and tolerance have been banished by a cult which permits no dissent.”

The Bible records a time in ancient Israel when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25), which is much like we see today. Regarding the end of our age, the prophet Isaiah warned, “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor; the child will be insolent toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable” (Isaiah 3:4–5). Increasingly, young leaders today refuse to listen to the wisdom and experience of their elders. However, this upside-down situation will not continue forever, and Christ will restore honor and respect for age and experience when He returns (cf. Leviticus 19:32). To learn more about this biblical perspective, read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?