Thanks for this. There are a lot of EA people in SF and in Anthropic and in my congregation. This would be a good book to explore.
I find myself a bit torn. I share your anthropology, but perhaps disagree that it means we shouldn't aspire for better. I think Jesus called us to things that didn't come naturally to us. Also we learn to do things that don't come naturally all the time, such as advanced math (and all the calculations they employ.)
In some ways, EA is just asking us to be as prudent and rational with our philanthropy as we have long said we need to be with our use of church funds/stewardship. Imagine what would happen if a leader just spent church money the way they felt inclined to in the moment, rather than trying to be rational/prudent about it!
Certainly the point that just because something is hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it is a good one and I definitely should have included that in my original.
This reminds me of my days raising support to do foreign missions. We had great reasons about why the church, to be effective in fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission, needs to support planting churches among unreached peoples in places like Central Asia. But for most Christians their only priority was supporting their local church and food pantry. "Why should we be sending missionaries to Africa (or wherever) when there is so much need right here at home?"
(Though one missionary living abroad said something like, "Why are you going way off to the South Pacific to minister, when there are so many needs right here at home in Samarkand?")
And now I think that putting the local needs first (but not exclusively) is quite rational and virtuous. And the foreign missionaries I support now are people I personally know, not those I have calculated are making the biggest impact. The best way to know who is effective, now and ongoing, is by getting to know the people and organizations personally. Or by supporting those you already have a connection with.
Thanks for this. There are a lot of EA people in SF and in Anthropic and in my congregation. This would be a good book to explore.
I find myself a bit torn. I share your anthropology, but perhaps disagree that it means we shouldn't aspire for better. I think Jesus called us to things that didn't come naturally to us. Also we learn to do things that don't come naturally all the time, such as advanced math (and all the calculations they employ.)
In some ways, EA is just asking us to be as prudent and rational with our philanthropy as we have long said we need to be with our use of church funds/stewardship. Imagine what would happen if a leader just spent church money the way they felt inclined to in the moment, rather than trying to be rational/prudent about it!
You should definitely check out the book. And, your pushback is very fair.
Some more discussion of this review in the Christians and Effective Altruism FB group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/eaforchristians/posts/28327297523572120/?comment_id=28355556207412918¬if_id=1787304119535497¬if_t=group_comment
Certainly the point that just because something is hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it is a good one and I definitely should have included that in my original.
This reminds me of my days raising support to do foreign missions. We had great reasons about why the church, to be effective in fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission, needs to support planting churches among unreached peoples in places like Central Asia. But for most Christians their only priority was supporting their local church and food pantry. "Why should we be sending missionaries to Africa (or wherever) when there is so much need right here at home?"
(Though one missionary living abroad said something like, "Why are you going way off to the South Pacific to minister, when there are so many needs right here at home in Samarkand?")
And now I think that putting the local needs first (but not exclusively) is quite rational and virtuous. And the foreign missionaries I support now are people I personally know, not those I have calculated are making the biggest impact. The best way to know who is effective, now and ongoing, is by getting to know the people and organizations personally. Or by supporting those you already have a connection with.