Zeal For Truth

I have nothing against modern technology–I use it all the time. It would seem I have nothing against wealth either, since I’m richer than most people in the world (Take this cool 15-second quiz to see how your wealth compares to the rest of the world).

But in spite loving my expensive computer, something inside me yearns for the simple life. That term can mean a number of different things, but I define simple living as a lifestyle that consciously and intentionally chooses to consume less. That implies consuming less electricity, less petrol, less food, less entertainment, etc.

“Less than what?” you ask. My best answer for that is, “less than you could.” My point in simple living is not to reach an absolute standard of consumption or even a relatively lower standard than everyone around me; rather it is to be free from the demands of greed, free from the need to impress people with my stuff and to be rich enough to be generous to others.

‘Tis a Gift to Be Simple
I suppose part of my longing for simplicity comes from a rural upbringing “back in the good old days.” Since I’ve actually experienced growing one’s own food, for instance, I know the benefits of that aspect of simple living. Or maybe it comes from spending a few years in a fairly primitive living situation back in the 80s (no electricity, no water, living in a house made out of sticks and thatch, and worst of all, NO INTERNET). Being the richest person around for 50 miles in any direction may have warped me for life.

Simple Environmentalists
I also yearn for simplicity because I’m some kind of environmentalist. Not the kind that says we shouldn’t have babies or that we should hug trees (although I do like trees and I limited how many kids I had). I just don’t like wasting things, throwing things away that could be put to use some other way or living in the midst of too much stuff because all those things use up or mess up nature to some degree or another. Further, the idea that you can simply plant a tiny seed and it turns into something edible just fascinates me! I might even call the beauty of nature sacred—not to worship nature, but sacred in the sense that the clever detail and refreshing beauty seen in living things reveals a powerful God.

This will be the first in a series of articles about simple living. I want to eventually cover (in no particular order) topics like:

• a theology of simple living, including voluntary poverty
• appropriate technology
• the time vs. money trade off
• simple living experiments
• simple living in urban vs. rural settings

I approach simple living as a believer. But there are lots of nonbelievers who hold to the simple life too, for reasons much different than mine–improved health, less participation in the rat race, social justice issues, nonchristian spirituality, and of course, a number of “green” reasons. I’m mentioning that just as a way to say that when I research the topic, I try to examine people’s motives so that I’m not participating in any one’s worship of Gaia.

I’ll start next Friday with a theology of simple living.