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Why You've Been Duped Into Believing That The World is Getting Worse
The evening news is filled with bloodshed and war. Poverty, pandemics, and injustice appear to be overwhelming the world. Yet there is more to this story. In his controversial new book, “Why You’ve Been Duped Into Believing That The World is Getting Worse,” J.D. King recounts statistics that contradict popular narratives. Drawing from the New York Times, Washington Post, and other leading authorities, King recounts something unexpected.Beneath the social turmoil and political controversy, things are actually getting better. King contends, “Restrictions attributed to race, gender, and social class are not as rigid as they once were. The marginalized and impoverished are finding a seat at the table. Hope is rising, and people are discovering their reason for existence. Spiritual fervor is riding high.”Despite documented advances, a faulty sense of doom continues to grip conservatives and people of faith. It’s regrettable that multitudes gravitate toward bad news. Our hard-wired pessimism and guilty self-flagellation obscure progress. It is time to re-envision the hope of the gospel.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
29 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
J.D. King
51 books6 followersThere is more than one author with this name
J.D. King was born. From 1977 to 1994 he lived in New York City, performed at CBGB's, Tier 3, Max's and A's with The Coachmen (1978 to 1980), worked in underground comix, including R. Crumb's "Weirdo," before veering into graphics and illustration. He now resides in upstate New York. His current band is J.D. King & The Coachmen. They have two albums out on Ecstatic Peace. "Dead Doll Eyes" is my only book on Goodreads. He's currently shopping around his novel, "Metaphors." Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath are his favorite poets. More can be learned at his site/blog: jdkingillustration.com
J.D. King was born. From 1977 to 1994 he lived in New York City, performed at CBGB's, Tier 3, Max's and A's with The Coachmen (1978 to 1980), worked in underground comix, including R. Crumb's "Weirdo," before veering into graphics and illustration. He now resides in upstate New York. His current band is J.D. King & The Coachmen. They have two albums out on Ecstatic Peace. "Dead Doll Eyes" is my only book on Goodreads. He's currently shopping around his novel, "Metaphors." Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath are his favorite poets. More can be learned at his site/blog: jdkingillustration.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 23, 2019
I read this with great interest, curious what a Christian writer had to say about our proclivity to believe that the world is getting worse. The belief that the world is getting worse usually comes from current events and the sentimentality we all have for the so-called golden years of innocence in our past or the past of our forefathers. J.D. King, though, offers a skeptical perspective. He wants to back this belief by demonstrable proof, not mere anecdote and perception.
The book is organized into short chapters. The beginning sets the tone of the book, by arguing that the world sometimes does feel like it is getting worse, but this belief cannot be established by any measurable, tangible data.
In the second chapter, King explains very coherently why we're surrounded by bad news--it sells. We are often driven by fear and worry, rather than joy and confidence. I think most of us can understand this by examing our own perspectives. We know this to be true in our own experience. Who among us cannot relate to fear and worry at something we've seen or read in the media?
The next four chapters deal with specific issues, such as war, terrorism, crime, disease, hunger, life-expectancy, hunger, poverty, sex, racism, injustice, etc. One by one, King shows how all of these great evils are diminishing around us. Again, he acknowledges we may feel these things getting worse, but statistically speaking, they are not. One of the most interesting examples he gives, is abortion. Christians hate abortion and we often think of abortion as the primary example when arguing that the world is getting worse. But the reality is, that abortion is in significant decline. Just because it was only legalized in the 1970s, doesn't mean it didn't happen before that. In fact, there is good reason to believe that it was worse before abortion was legalized.
King argues that the world is getting better, not worse, and the reason is the power of the gospel. The gospel is being proclaimed and lived out all over the world. Part of the reason that we, in the West, believe the world is getting worse, is that the cultural power of Christianity does seem to be fading Europe and North America. But it is growing rapidly just about everywhere else in the world. Yet for us in the West, we have little sense of this. Not only that, but many of us, especially Reformed evangelicals, we're suspicious of the theology of those in the East and Global South.
King examines the trends, showing the growth of Christianity in Asia and the Global South, and helps us see with greater clarity what is actually happening around the world. He devotes chapters to Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Even in the Middle East, there is evidence that Christianity is taking root. King is more optimistic about North America and Europe than I am, but the trends aren't all bad, at the very least.
This book isn't quite what I was hoping it would be, as King doesn't really discuss matters of eschatology. His conclusions are powerful and biblical. Yet I would have liked to see him more directly argue against the eschatological systems that are so dominant within the church, that give rhetorical power to the pessimism that King argues against. While the book could have been much more, I still highly recommend it.
I'll leave you with two of the better quotes in King's final chapter:
"By most measurable data, life is steadily improving around the globe. Darkness is fading, and the goodness of God’s kingdom is genuinely taking root in our world. Poverty and violence are diminishing. Evil is losing its grip on creation. The kindness of Jesus is advancing and transforming everything in its wake."
"Like yeast permeating a batch of dough, grace is infiltrating the economic, social, and governmental structures of our world. Societies once ravaged by darkness are regaining hope. The earth continues to advance because the gospel is taking root in every corner of the globe. The more grace envelopes the earth, the better the world becomes. The Prophet Isaiah reminded us centuries ago, The government will be upon his shoulder, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end (Isaiah 9:6b-7a ESV). The escalation of beauty in creation will continue to grow. Men and women must put away our dreadful perspectives and embrace the wonder of a profoundly better world."
The book is organized into short chapters. The beginning sets the tone of the book, by arguing that the world sometimes does feel like it is getting worse, but this belief cannot be established by any measurable, tangible data.
In the second chapter, King explains very coherently why we're surrounded by bad news--it sells. We are often driven by fear and worry, rather than joy and confidence. I think most of us can understand this by examing our own perspectives. We know this to be true in our own experience. Who among us cannot relate to fear and worry at something we've seen or read in the media?
The next four chapters deal with specific issues, such as war, terrorism, crime, disease, hunger, life-expectancy, hunger, poverty, sex, racism, injustice, etc. One by one, King shows how all of these great evils are diminishing around us. Again, he acknowledges we may feel these things getting worse, but statistically speaking, they are not. One of the most interesting examples he gives, is abortion. Christians hate abortion and we often think of abortion as the primary example when arguing that the world is getting worse. But the reality is, that abortion is in significant decline. Just because it was only legalized in the 1970s, doesn't mean it didn't happen before that. In fact, there is good reason to believe that it was worse before abortion was legalized.
King argues that the world is getting better, not worse, and the reason is the power of the gospel. The gospel is being proclaimed and lived out all over the world. Part of the reason that we, in the West, believe the world is getting worse, is that the cultural power of Christianity does seem to be fading Europe and North America. But it is growing rapidly just about everywhere else in the world. Yet for us in the West, we have little sense of this. Not only that, but many of us, especially Reformed evangelicals, we're suspicious of the theology of those in the East and Global South.
King examines the trends, showing the growth of Christianity in Asia and the Global South, and helps us see with greater clarity what is actually happening around the world. He devotes chapters to Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Even in the Middle East, there is evidence that Christianity is taking root. King is more optimistic about North America and Europe than I am, but the trends aren't all bad, at the very least.
This book isn't quite what I was hoping it would be, as King doesn't really discuss matters of eschatology. His conclusions are powerful and biblical. Yet I would have liked to see him more directly argue against the eschatological systems that are so dominant within the church, that give rhetorical power to the pessimism that King argues against. While the book could have been much more, I still highly recommend it.
I'll leave you with two of the better quotes in King's final chapter:
"By most measurable data, life is steadily improving around the globe. Darkness is fading, and the goodness of God’s kingdom is genuinely taking root in our world. Poverty and violence are diminishing. Evil is losing its grip on creation. The kindness of Jesus is advancing and transforming everything in its wake."
"Like yeast permeating a batch of dough, grace is infiltrating the economic, social, and governmental structures of our world. Societies once ravaged by darkness are regaining hope. The earth continues to advance because the gospel is taking root in every corner of the globe. The more grace envelopes the earth, the better the world becomes. The Prophet Isaiah reminded us centuries ago, The government will be upon his shoulder, and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end (Isaiah 9:6b-7a ESV). The escalation of beauty in creation will continue to grow. Men and women must put away our dreadful perspectives and embrace the wonder of a profoundly better world."
July 25, 2020
This book is different than many imagine. It is filled with hope and compelling stories. It doesn’t just include statistics. It tells a story that many need to hear.
January 16, 2019
Upon reading this book I discovered the title is a little misleading (at least to me). But! Not in a bad way. By the end of this work you will most certainly have a more clearer picture of the world for which we live and the direction it’s going. And what’s nice, on top of that, it’s done in a direct concise manner. The author uses the facts to make most of the talking points with enough narration around them to help the book flow. Most of the writing is used to show what is/has been happening in the world and why it truly is different from the picture that’s been painted for us. The why is a simple but powerful point worth reading through to find out!
December 21, 2025
I like the information that is unpacked in this book.
I have always been an optimist. What I like about this book are the good references and the way it’s organized so that I can use this book to help others with their agreement with the enemies tactics so they can also be optimistic like I am.
I have always been an optimist. What I like about this book are the good references and the way it’s organized so that I can use this book to help others with their agreement with the enemies tactics so they can also be optimistic like I am.
August 9, 2020
No Fluff. Just Facts
This book will provide you a lot of verified hope. Things seem way worse than facts show when you finally look at facts rather than focusing on a personal sphere.
This book will provide you a lot of verified hope. Things seem way worse than facts show when you finally look at facts rather than focusing on a personal sphere.
August 10, 2021
Great, fresh perspective
With so much bad news surrounding and pelting us daily, this offered a great counter, Biblical perspective. In the context of human history…this perspective makes a lot of sense. Thanks JD!
With so much bad news surrounding and pelting us daily, this offered a great counter, Biblical perspective. In the context of human history…this perspective makes a lot of sense. Thanks JD!
January 10, 2025
We have been duped !
This is an inspiration to hear how the world is getting better and The Kingdom of God is advancing! Don't believe the media , cultural narrative...God is in the move. Read this book! Don't be duped any longer
This is an inspiration to hear how the world is getting better and The Kingdom of God is advancing! Don't believe the media , cultural narrative...God is in the move. Read this book! Don't be duped any longer
June 24, 2019
Excellent little book and a quick read. There’s a lot of useful and hopeful information here.
July 4, 2020
Jesus is everywhere!
What an amazimg little book filled with hope and grace and the love of Jesus, spreading across the world!! Glory! The Good News!
What an amazimg little book filled with hope and grace and the love of Jesus, spreading across the world!! Glory! The Good News!
November 4, 2020
One the most encouraging books I've read in a long time, must read!
November 12, 2024
Such a fantastic and encouraging book we need to read works like this in these days to be hear all that God is doing in the earth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews