| The Federalist recently hosted a fascinating conversation on agency and horsepower. Dr. Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College relayed his concerns over President Biden’s provision for kill-switches in new cars. From the Cajun Navy to Canada’s trucker convoy, Dr. Mehan spoke about how owning a vehicle and using it responsibly is not something that the government should be able to override with remote and centralized control. In a broad discussion of autonomy, responsibility, freedom, and love of neighbor (who knew cars represented so much?), Dr. Mehan suggests that our leaders often use fear to take control for themselves. If an algorithm had the ability to shut down that drunk driver’s car before he hurt someone, wouldn’t you feel safer? Although it is a philosophical point, Dr. Mehan really gets to the heart of it when he says, “Death is not the worst thing; it just isn’t.” He believes that the fear of death is a driver (no pun intended) of the desire for technocratic forms of government. The thought that we can delay our end through a carefully crafted system of rules and restrictions might be a delusion, but if the last two years have shown us anything, it is that fear of dying is a powerful motivator. It may be a leap from a discussion about kill-switches to the Word of God but we hope you will humor us. In Hebrews, the writer acknowledges that the fear of death is a prison. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Though they may not realize it, the worldlings are busy not dying. From miracle drugs to transhumanism, modern-day men refuse to accept that it is appointed for men once to die and then judgement. And yet, as Hebrews tell us, Christ has destroyed death and its power. This free gift was won on the Cross and comes to us as we share in Christ’s victory through water, bread and wine. It may not be that you think of all this as you drive in your car, but Lent is a great time for recalling this hope, the life to come secured by Jesus’ resurrection. Remember He is risen and as Rev Fisk says “run toward the tomb.” You are immortal now and he won’t be long anyway. Speaking of government power and vehicles.. The Toronto Sun is reporting that Canada’s national broadcasting network is retracting false claims it made about the Freedom Convoy. The CBC had claimed that the trucker protest was an effort by Russia to destabilize the Canadian government. In addition, Canadian lawmakers have launched an inquiry into the Prime Minister’s use of emergency powers. |
