There is Nothing New Under the Sun: Ancient Parallels to Modern Politics

As the writer of Ecclesiastes wisely said, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Though we like to think of our current era as exceptional, especially in the context of political and cultural divisions, the truth is that the tensions we experience today echo those of ancient times. The conservative versus liberal dynamic that dominates modern discourse is not a new development. In fact, a strikingly similar division existed during the time of Jesus, where groups like the Essenes and the Sadducees represented contrasting worldviews that can be easily likened to today’s political factions.

The Essenes, like many modern-day conservatives, believed in separating themselves from a world they saw as corrupt and morally decaying. They sought to maintain purity, adherence to tradition, and a strict interpretation of the laws handed down to them. Their communities were governed by rigid codes, emphasizing religious devotion, moral integrity, and a rejection of mainstream society. Much like today’s conservatives who long for a return to traditional values and see themselves as protectors of faith, family, and freedom, the Essenes saw themselves as the true remnant of God’s people, preserving the sacred in the face of societal decline.

On the other hand, the Sadducees were the ancient equivalent of today’s liberals, embracing change and often seeking radical transformation of religious and political life. They rejected much of the traditional Jewish law that the Essenes held dear, opting instead to align themselves with the powers of the day—especially the Roman authorities—in order to secure their own influence and wealth. The Sadducees embraced Hellenistic (Greek) ideas, sought to modernize Jewish practices, and held a more skeptical view of things like the resurrection, which set them apart from more traditional groups. Like modern-day liberals, they were often accused of being elitist and out of touch with the common people, but they saw themselves as pragmatists, navigating a complex and changing world.

The struggles between the Essenes and Sadducees mirror our current political climate. Today’s conservative movements—much like the Essenes—stress a return to moral clarity, tradition, and a fight against what they see as a corrupting influence on society. They seek to withdraw from cultural trends they view as damaging, advocating for a restoration of values that they believe are eternal and unchanging. Meanwhile, liberals—echoing the Sadducees—call for the restructuring of systems they see as oppressive or outdated. They argue for progress, inclusivity, and an openness to new ideas, much as the Sadducees did in their own time by engaging with Roman authorities and favoring reforms.

In the end, as Ecclesiastes teaches, “there is nothing new under the sun.” The political and cultural conflicts we experience today are but echoes of the ancient divisions that have existed throughout history. The struggle between those who wish to preserve and those who wish to transform is as old as civilization itself. Whether it’s the Essenes retreating to the wilderness to protect their traditions or modern conservatives advocating for the protection of religious freedoms, or the Sadducees aligning themselves with new powers and ideas, we are all simply repeating the same human tendencies that have played out for millennia.

In our own time, we can see that neither the conservative call for purity nor the liberal push for progress is new or unique. Both have their roots deep in history, and both are necessary for society’s continual ebb and flow. As long as humans exist, we will always be grappling with how to balance the pull of tradition and the drive for transformation. We may frame it differently today, but in reality, the debates we are having are the same ones humanity has had for centuries, proving that indeed, there is nothing new under the sun.

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