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Acts 17:1 – An Eugenics Program
Each church needs a eugenics program. Properly defined, eugenics is, “the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics. Developed largely by Francis Galton as a method of improving the human race, it fell into disfavor only after the perversion of its doctrines by the Nazis.” If you like Star Trek, think, “The Wrath of Khan.” Spiritually defined, this describes a certain group of people in the Bible, who I have to admit, I never really understood their description until now.
In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are describes as “noble-minded.” This comes from the Greek “eugenes” which literally means noble. Translations which aim for accuracy over literalness translate this as “open-minded” which is the point of Luke. Philip’s translation has “generous-minded” which is based upon nobles having the characteristic of generosity. So why did Luke choose “eugenes” and how does this apply to the Bereans?
Luke chooses this word as an example of that society and cause and effect. Literally it refers to someone who is of high or noble birth and therefore the effect is one who has the mindset of nobility. Remember to whom this society it was written to, which was not a republican democracy. It was ruled by nobles. They, in theory, ruled for the benefit of the society including making judgments about right and wrong. Think of in Jewish times royalty and elders sitting at the gates (Proverbs 31:8-9,23). In that sense, Freiberg defines it as “as a commendable attitude, open-minded, without prejudice.” In this sense, “Eugenes is used not only for noble birth but also for noble sentiments, character, morals” (preceptaustin.org/acts_17_commentary#nm).
In this sense of “eugenes,” each church needs to seek for those who are looking for the truthMonday’; and to cultivate being generous of mind about others and the scriptures. As to studying, this means being open-minded and able to make proper judgments based upon God’s evidence. This is how the Bereans were noble-minded. In this sense, the church needs a eugenics program.
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