Cultivating Flexibility and Adaptability in Uncertain Times
The biblical tradition, particularly in wisdom literature, acknowledges the inevitability of change and the human inability to fully predict future events. Ecclesiastes 8:6 notes that while a wise person may discern "time and judgment," few possess such wisdom, and even the wisest can be surprised by sudden calamities [1]. This suggests a need to anticipate and prepare for unforeseen shifts in circumstances [1].
Patristic writers also recognized the dynamic nature of existence. Augustine, for instance, emphasized the necessity of variety in style, noting that monotonous adherence to one approach can lead to a loss of the hearer's attention [6]. He also observed that individuals often perceive things as transitory, whether they are loved or feared, and that many have bravely endured temporary evils in pursuit of lasting good [9]. Tertullian similarly discussed the soul's natural properties as inherent and developing from birth, with variations being accidental rather than fundamental [7]. He also described natural movements, such as a spider's desire to weave or bees' instinct to form honeycombs, as inherent drives [3].
The concept of adaptability is further underscored by the recognition that all human endeavors and earthly productions are subject to increase and decay [8]. As Adam Clarke notes on James 1:11, "All human things are transitory; rise and fall, or increase and decay, belong to all the productions of the earth, and to all its inhabitants" [8]. This transience is unavoidable, as the very forces that promote growth can also lead to decay [8].
In the face of such uncertainty, Christian thought encourages a reliance on divine providence rather than human attempts to forecast the future through means like astrology. Augustine strongly denounced the "ravings of the astrologers," arguing that such practices lead to a "wretched bondage" and "shipwreck of our freedom of will" [2]. Instead, he advocated for a "pious devoutness of spirit" in accepting life's circumstances [2].
The importance of constancy, particularly in relationships, is also highlighted. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 17:17, states that true friendship must be constant and sincere, not changing with "humour" or "interest" [5]. This suggests that while external circumstances may fluctuate, certain internal virtues and commitments should remain steadfast.
Theological discussions also touch upon the idea of adaptation in a broader sense. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, describes how organisms, in their struggle for life, exhibit "accidental variation of structure" that allows the "fittest" to survive and transmit those traits to their offspring [4]. While this refers to biological adaptation, it implicitly acknowledges the principle of adjusting to environmental pressures.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 8:6: Solomon had said (Ecc 8:5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe, 1. All the events concerning us, with the exact time of them, are determined and appointed in the counsel and foreknowledge of God, and all in wisdom: To every purpos”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. VII.- 12. We are therefore bound to denounce with abhorrence and contempt the ravings of the astrologers, who, when we find fault with the empty inventions by which they cast other men down into (part 1): 13. We do not forecast the issues of our enterprises by studying the sun and moon, and the times of the year or of the month, lest in the most trying emergencies of life, we, being dashed against the rocks of a wretched bondage, shall make shipwreck of our freedom of will; but with 'the most pious devoutness of spirit, we accept similitude”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — FROM THE LATIN. (part 1): stirred up in a most orderly manner by a phantasy, i.e., a sort of wish and desire for weaving, to undertake the production of a web, some natural movement undoubtedly calling forth the effort to work of this kind. Nor is this very insect found to possess any other feeling than the natural desire of weaving; as in like manner bees also exhibit a desire to form honeycombs, and to collect, as they say, aerial honey.[2] 3. But since a rational animal not only has within itself these natural movements, but has ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 5: advantageously to exercise its functions. 14 Third, that as plants and animals increase in a geometrical ratio, they tend to outrun enormously the means of support, and this of necessity gives rise to a continued and universal struggle for life. Fourth, in this struggle the fittest survive; that is, those individuals which have an accidental variation of structure which renders them superior to their fellows in the struggle for existence, survive, and transmit that peculiarity to their offspring. This is “natural selection;” i.e ., nature,”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 17:17: This intimates the strength of those bonds by which we are bound to each other and which we ought to be sensible of. 1. Friends must be constant to each other at all times. That is not true friendship which is not constant; it will be so if it be sincere, and actuated by a good principle. Those that are fanciful or selfish in their friendship will love no longer than their humour is pleased and their interest served, and therefore their affections turn with the wind and change with the weather. Swallow-friends, that fly to you in summer, but are gone in winter;”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 22.--THE NECESSITY OF VARIETY IN: STYLE. 51. But we are not to suppose that it is against rule to mingle these various styles: taste. For when we keep monotonously to one style, we fail to retain the hearer's attention; but when we pass from one style to another, the discourse goes off more gracefully, even though it extend to greater length. Each separate style, again, has varieties of its own which prevent the hearer's attention from cooling or becoming languid. We can bear the subdued style, however, longer without variety tha”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XX.--THE SOUL, AS TO ITS NATURE UNIFORM, BUT ITS FACULTIES VARIOUSLY DEVELOPED. VARIETIES ONLY ACCIDENTAL. (part 1): And here, therefore, we draw our conclusion, that all the natural properties of the soul are inherent in it as parts of its substance; and that they grow and develope along with it, from the very moment of its own origin at birth. Just as Seneca says, whom we so often find on our side:(10) "There are implanted within us the seeds of all the arts and periods of life. And God. our Master, secretly produces our mental dispositions;" that is, from the g”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 1:11: For the sun is no sooner risen - We need not pursue this metaphor, as St. James' meaning is sufficiently clear: All human things are transitory; rise and fall, or increase and decay, belong to all the productions of the earth, and to all its inhabitants. This is unavoidable, for in many cases the very cause of their growth becomes the cause of their decay and destruction. The sun by its genial heat nourishes and supports all plants and animals; but when it arises with a burning heat, the atmosphere not being tempered with a sufficiency of moist vapours, the juices ar”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 7. --FAITH IS NECESSARY, THAT MAN MAY AT SOME TIME BE BLESSED, WHICH HE WILL ONLY ATTAIN IN THE FUTURE LIFE.THE BLESSEDNESS OF PROUD PHILOSOPHERS RIDICULOUS AND PITIABLE. (part 2): to have or in fearing to lose what they loved, whether wickedly or laudably, have thought of them as transitory. For many have stretched boldly through transitory evils to good things which will last. And these, doubtless, are blessed through hope, even while actually suffering such transitory evils, through which they arrive at good things which will not be trans”