What is the Law of Unintended Consequences? As the name suggests it is when something occurs that was not intended. It is when a purposeful or deliberate action is made and the outcome which occurs is quite different from the planned outcome, or the outcome that had been hoped for. The Law of Unintended Consequences belongs to the realm of sociology; it is also sometimes referred to as “unanticipated consequences” or “unforeseen consequences”. The term itself was popularized by American Sociologist Robert K. Merton in the 20th century.
The Law of Unintended Consequences can be classified into three distinct categories. The first category is a positive, unexpected benefit—usually referred to as luck, serendipity, or a windfall. For example, the creation of “no-man’s lands” during the Cold War, in places such as the border between Eastern and Western Europe, and the Korean Demilitarized Zone, has led to large natural habitats. Also, the sinking of ships in shallow waters during wartime has created many artificial coral reefs, which can be scientifically valuable and have become an attraction for recreational divers.
Another category of unintended consequence is a negative unexpected detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of the policy. For example, while irrigation schemes provide people with water for agriculture, they can increase waterborne diseases that have devastating health effects, such as schistosomiasis.
The final category of unintended consequences is a perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended (when an intended solution makes a problem worse). For example, the term “Streisand Effect” is applied to the Internet phenomenon that occurs when an attempt to censor, or remove, a certain piece of information (such as a photograph, document, etc.) instead causes the information to become widely known and distributed. In this scenario, the fact that a piece of information is being restricted assigns to it a previously nonexistent value in the eyes of the public.
There are many examples in the Bible of unintended consequences that consist of perverse effects which are contrary to what was originally intended. However, before we move to some examples let us ask ourselves, what are the causes of unintended consequences? The simple law of cause and effect tells us that there must be something that causes unintended consequences. By pinpointing causal factors, there is the potential to ensure that when an unintended consequence does occur it is predominately positive.
In 1936, Robert K. Merton, the American Sociologist listed five possible causes of unanticipated consequences. The five are as follows:
First—ignorance. It is impossible to anticipate everything, thereby leading to an incomplete analysis.
Second—incorrect analysis of the problem or following habits that worked in the past but may not apply to the current situation.
Third—immediate interest, which may override long-term interests.
Fourth—basic values may require or prohibit certain actions even if the long-term result might be unfavourable. These long-term consequences may eventually cause changes in basic values.
Fifth—a self-defeating prophecy. Fear of some consequence drives people to find solutions before the problem occurs, thus the non-occurrence of the problem is not anticipated.
In the story of Lot when he was choosing a suitable habitation for his family we read the following: “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Genesis 13:9–12
“Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham, he manifested no gratitude to his benefactor. Courtesy would have dictated that he yield the choice to Abraham, but instead of this he selfishly endeavored to grasp all its advantages”. AND “Dazzled with visions of worldly gain, Lot overlooked the moral and spiritual evils that would be encountered [in Sodom]. The inhabitants of the plain were ‘sinners before the Lord exceedingly;’ but of this he was ignorant, or, knowing, gave it but little weight. He ‘chose him all the plain of Jordan,’ and ‘pitched his tent toward Sodom.’ How little did he foresee the terrible results of that selfish choice!” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 133
How little did Lot realize what the long-term consequences surrounding this choice would be. He saw the short-term benefits of living in the most fertile region in all of Palestine—the Jordan Valley. He also saw the short-term benefits of living in the beautiful and wealthy city of Sodom; but he failed to see the evil influence that the moral degradation and spiritual evil would have on his family. Upon closer investigation, what kind of unintended consequence did Lot experience in this story? He experienced an unintended consequence with a perverse result, or in other words, a so-called solution which actually made the problem worse. What were the causes of this unintended consequence? As previously mentioned, his immediate interest outweighed the long term interests of him and his family. Also, it is apparent, according to the textual evidence provided by E.G. White, that there was an element of ignorance because perhaps he did not realize the full extent of the sin, corruption, and moral degradation that was regularly occurring in Sodom and Gomorrah.
It was not simply ignorance though, because some error in Lot’s judgment was also present. Perhaps he naively thought that he and his family could be in contact with significant moral corruption and still maintain their morality and spiritual fortitude, but why take the risk? Even if one feels spiritually strong, it is utter folly to put oneself on Satan’s ground in order to “test” how spiritually strong one actually is, because this is when an individual is most likely to fall! Ellen White specifically talks about how, in the time of the end, the corruption in the cities will be so pronounced that it will be expedient for true believers to relocate to country areas. The final days of this earth’s history, in which we are currently living, are prophesied to be as the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, and as the days before the flood.
Another example of a situation where an unintended consequence occurred is written in John 19:12–16. “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away.” This is an example of the second type of unintended consequence, which is a negative, unexpected detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of the policy. Did the Pharisees and religious leaders of the Jewish nation achieve their desired goal of crucifying Jesus? They certainly did! However, at what cost?
To answer this question we read, “Pilate then took his place on the judgment seat, and again presented Jesus to the people, saying, ‘Behold your King!’ Again the mad cry was heard, ‘Away with Him, crucify Him.’ In a voice that was heard far and near, Pilate asked, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ But from profane, blasphemous lips went forth the words, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’
“Thus by choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn from the theocracy. They had rejected God as their king. Henceforth they had no deliverer. They had no king but Caesar. To this the priests and teachers had led the people. For this, with the fearful results that followed, they were responsible. A nation’s sin and a nation’s ruin were due to the religious leaders.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 737–738
The Jewish leaders may have gotten their wish of
putting Jesus to death. However, it is of certainty that it was a very short-lived and hollow victory given the wonderful universe-altering event, which occurred three days later. Although their policy worked in the short term, how little did they realize the fearful results of loudly proclaiming, “We have no king but Caesar”. The fact that three and a half years later, at the stoning of Stephen, Israel officially lost its status as God’s chosen nation, was something they did not foresee or expect. At this crucial point in their national history, their words, “We have no king but Caesar”, were fulfilled in their entirety.
It is interesting to observe the drastic lengths people will go to, in order to achieve a desired purpose or goal. The Jewish people hated the yoke of Roman bondage and resented it deeply, but when it served their purposes they manipulated Pilate by pretending to pay homage to Caesar. The extent of their façade is apparent in their claim of profound respect for Caesar’s power and authority, and their assertion that they were the enemy of any individual who did not practice similar deference to Caesar. At no other time would they have shouted out, “We have no King but Caesar”. Such was their hatred of Jesus that they were willing to resort to any measure or tactic necessary in order to secure His crucifixion.
There were many unintended consequences surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, and the following are two more found in The Desire of Ages, in the same chapter: “Pilate’s Judgement Hall.” “The people of Israel had made their choice. Pointing to Jesus they had said, ‘Not this Man, but Barabbas.’ Barabbas, the robber and murderer, was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative of God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas they were to have. In making this choice they accepted him who from the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader. As a nation they would act out his dictation. His works they would do. His rule they must endure. That people who chose Barabbas in the place of Christ were to feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time should last.
“Looking upon the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, ‘His blood be on us, and on our children.’ That awful cry ascended to the throne of God. That sentence, pronounced upon themselves, was written in heaven. That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of God was upon their children and their children’s children, a perpetual curse.
“Terribly was it realized in the destruction of Jerusalem. Terribly has it been manifested in the condition of the Jewish nation for eighteen hundred years,—a branch severed from the vine, a dead, fruitless branch, to be gathered up and burned. From land to land throughout the world, from century to century, dead, dead in trespasses and sins!” –Ibid., p. 738–739
When Christ shall come to the earth again, He will not be seen as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble. He will be seen as Heaven’s King. It is apparent that by choosing Barabbas the Jewish nation was essentially selecting a symbolic representation of Satan, and subsequently they would be subjected to the rule of Satan. How little did they realize that when they said, “His blood be on us and our children,” this terrible cry was heard by the heavenly Father, and they had truly passed judgment upon themselves. In this case they were the judge and jury, and hereafter God simply allowed them to suffer the consequences of their own choice; to reap what they had sown. Many of these people who made this terrible cry were still alive 40 years later at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and their words certainly came back to haunt them, whether they realized it or not.
It is apparent that the causal factors of this unintended consequence are total ignorance and error, as well as believing that their immediate interests were more important than their long-term interests. Their ignorance and terrible error was a result of their proud and corrupt hearts that refused to accept the truth that had been preached to them for 3 ½ years, and that refused to accept Jesus’ Divinity despite all the evidences they received that He is the Son of God.
They believed it was in their best immediate interest to put Jesus to death, but how little did they realize that this was not really favourable to their immediate interests, or to their long-term interests, and that this would be their greatest curse and a source of perpetual regret.
The final unintended consequence we will investigate is found in John 19:17–22. “And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified Him, and two other with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.”
The following ideas are taken from The Desire of Ages, chapter 78, entitled “Calvary”. The Pharisees, at the trial, had declared that whoever should acknowledge any other king was a traitor. Pilate wrote out the sentiment they had expressed. No offense was mentioned, except that Jesus was King of the Jews. The inscription was a virtual acknowledgment of the allegiance of the Jews to the Roman power. It declared that whoever might claim to be the King of Israel would be judged by them worthy of death. The priests had overreached themselves. When they were plotting the death of Christ, Caiaphas had declared it expedient that one man should die to save the nation. Now their hypocrisy was revealed. In order to destroy Christ, they had been ready to sacrifice even their national existence. However, God’s hand was over this happening, because it was to awaken thought and investigation of the Scriptures. The place where Christ was crucified was near to the city. Thousands of people from all lands were then at Jerusalem, and the inscription declaring Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, would come to their notice. It was a living truth, transcribed by a hand that God had guided.
Every person to have ever walked the earth has made a decision at some point in their life, which had unintended consequences! Humans do not always make fully-informed decisions, and we have the tendency to make significant errors in judgment. How can we ensure that we never make a decision, or choose a course of action, that leads our life away from the meek and lowly Jesus? How can we ensure each day that the course of action we take will not have the terrible unintended consequence of leading to our eternal ruin?
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” John 16:13. When we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit we will be guided into all truth! And, if we are in all truth, will we make decisions that have unexpected and disturbing results? No, certainly not; rather we will make decisions that honour and glorify God. If we are always making decisions that have unintended negative results this is because we are not listening to, and heeding, the voice of the Holy Spirit.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17. When we take time to read the Bible and practice what they read, we will be made perfect and ready to do good works! If someone is perfect in Christ, it is a clear indication that they are making good decisions and following a wise course of action. It all comes down to wisdom; and considering Jesus is the source of all wisdom, choosing Him will ensure a wise course of action and wise decisions. If we are ready for good works then that means that if there are any unintended consequences they will be positive ones.
It is safe to say that each person reading this would consider themselves a Christian in some capacity. What a shame it would be to dedicate our lives to serving Christ, and then unknowingly be denying Jesus through our words, actions, or life choices. What a terrible unintended consequence to bring shame upon the name of Christ and crucify Jesus anew, when we profess to love Jesus with all our hearts, souls, and minds. How sad, and what a waste of a life!
It is my wish and prayer that we will ensure to never end up mired in the immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah, or end up crucifying Jesus through our words and actions, or pronounce judgment upon us and our children. These actions are ones which all citizens of earth have the capacity to perform, and they lead directly to the removal of God’s presence and His protection. These are terrible unintended consequences; so let us read our Bible fervently, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit while His voice may be heard. Amen.
Richard Eaton