PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND
May 4, 2025
BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY?
An advertising slogan that I remember growing up in Ohio was “Better Living Through Chemistry.” In 1935 DuPont introduced the slogan in a longer form, “Better Things For Better Living Through Chemistry,” especially in their pharmaceutical ads. They introduced it on the radio when they sponsored “Cavalcade of America” which was an anthology drama series. They continued their sponsorship of the program on television from 1952 until 1959.
When DePont introduced their slogan, many Americans were wary of new synthetic materials such as Nylon, neoprene and pesticides. Many Americans were still influenced by a counterculture food movement which started in the 19th century. The movement recommended simpler, unprocessed, and unrefined foods. By 1935 the restriction had included anything grown that was chemically enhanced. The movement reemerged with the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Carson was suggesting turning back the clock to a time when food was grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
I have experienced first hand the truth of DuPont’s slogan. I take seventeen different pills, three different gummies, and two dietary probiotic supplements. Three of the pills are for a genetic heart problem disposition. My material grandfather died in his 50’s from a heart attack and my father’s brother died in his 40’s with heart problems. One of the pills which I take once a week is for rheumatoid arthritis. My material grandmother suffered from this disease. I still have vivid memories of her gnarled fingers and regular trips so she could receive shots.
I have often thought that if I had lived a hundred years ago when all these medications were not available, I would have been dead long ago. Not only can we experience better living through chemistry, one can experience longer life through chemistry. On the negative side, I take two of the pills and the probiotics to counter the effect of the pills. We can’t have everything.
Jesus suggests better living is not so much a matter of what we put in our mouths as what comes out of them. “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. … Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them (Matthew 15:11, 17-20).”
The words of Jesus are a reminder that better living involves more than just the physical. Better living has to do with morality, ethics, and faith. Chemistry may give us a better physical life and extra years. However, what we do with these years is a different matter. Some people live a long time and contribute little to the betterment of mankind. Other people live a short time and make a significant contribution to the general welfare. I have used my extra years writing my musings from the heartland.
Because of the strides in science all of us have the possibility of having better lives. We should all work to make sure that everyone has the opportunity of benefiting from these strides. Hopefully, because of our better living through chemistry, we will grow spiritually, morally, and ethically. The Good News of the Christian gospel is that we can have better lives by inviting Jesus into our hearts.
(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)