Actually, I kinda hope that none of the link-rabbit-holes I've sent you down have caused actual regret...
Anyway, it's a great article from Boundless on "thinking Christianly" about culture.
Two thumbs up.
Space Sharks (2024)
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Eksperimen militer yang dilakukan di stasiun luar angkasa menjadi sangat
buruk, mengirimkan generasi baru hiu bersenjata ke bumi dengan hanya […]
3 months ago
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But if we're in the end-times, and Jesus is coming back soon, why should we waste time and energy that we should spend on missions trips?
*searches frantically for the pukey-face emoticon*
It's a darn good thing I know you're joking, Mr. Worldview Academy!
I thought about throwing in some reference to Late Great Planet Earth but I figured it might be a bit much.
But seriously, I'm surprised no one in the Boundless Line discussion of it brought up that objection. I have an idea how I would counter it, but I'd be curious to hear what you'd have to say to such a person.
Urgh. That whole "end times" business makes me want to scream. The problem with the viewpoint you parodied above is that it's SO systemic that I really struggle to begin to address it!!
It's based on lazy, unbiblical, pop-evangelicalist eschatology (disembodied heavenly eternity vs. physical bodily resurrection and new creation) to such an extent, however, that I'd probably start there.
I once had a guy angrily argue with me for probably 20 minutes over my assertion that, as Christians, people ostensibly entrusted with the care of God's creation, we ought to be at least aware of the mistreatment of animals. He vehemently denied that we ought to have any concern whatsoever about, for instance, the conditions in feedlots and slaughterhouses. The phrase, "Who cares?" escaped his lips more than once during the conversation. It was maddening.
I think "who cares" is the heart of the matter. It is easier to be lazy, kick back and leave a few Chick tracks on the bus than to commit yourself to the preservation and restoration of a declining societal institution.
Of course, our culture of commercialization does not help, but that's a cat that's been swung into too many trees. The consequences, however is that we are impaired when it comes to long-term thinking and planning.
I think this is why being a teacher appeals to me: my vocation is an investment in something that will outlast me, and will (hopefully) support and strengthen a weakening institution (education). One of our Worldview faculty thinks we should be planting more schools than churches.
I liked the last line: "Only when the Church in this country becomes obsessed with glorifying God in all things, will we critically and redemptively engage our culture on all kinds of subjects."
I like Paul Washer's take on eschatology. Basically that I don't need to have a personal philosophy- er, um, I mean "Doctrine" (wretch) of the "End Times" because when the resurrection comes, I will know the end times perfectly well through direct communion with God.
All I really need to know about the return of Christ is that it is going to happen, and I don't know when, but until then we need to be more focused on the Gospel than on arguing amongst ourselves over doctrinal issues that aren't going to save anybody. (Not implying that ya'all were arguing, but that people in the church do)
If we Christians had a better Christology, out Eschatology would seem pretty meaningless even to us. Think of this: The Eternal, Almighty, Holy, Just, Boundless, Faithful, Merciful, Wonderful Creator of all things, God the Father sent His Son, Himself to BECOME SIN on our behalf, and when Jesus hung on that tree God Looked at Him-who had been in perfect, loving harmonious unity with the Father for Eternity past-and poured out on Him the full measure of his wrath ("...For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us..." 2Ki 22:13)and hatred ("You Hate all those who do iniquity" Ps 5:5b) and justice ("The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice." Deu 32:4) and crushed him. "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Is 53:5) And three days later, He was raised from the dead, that Death would no longer have a hold on us, and to open the doors of Heaven to mankind, and that one day we will be raised with Him, to live forever, even as He is eternal.
How can you think on that and not be so in awe and wonder that all else fades from your view, and you have no desire but to give God glory!
Which Dave is this? I know too many Daves.
Russ Moore wrote an article for JETS or SBJT or something about Christ-centered eschatology that was absolutely outstanding. Let's see if I can find it...
Aha!
Christocentric Eschatology
Ah, it's my BROTHER Dave. That sound you hear is my heart exploding with fraternal pride.
Although I disagree with your assertion that you don't need to have a personal understanding of eschatology. The details are debatable but the topic of eschatology is obviously important. I think that's actually what you're saying -- just maybe that the whole countdown business and "signs of the times" nonsense that people do is a waste of time -- in which case, you're 100% right.
It would seem that the very presence of passages related to eschatology in the Scriptures show that at least God finds it somewhat important. The same could be said of things like the Sacraments and election. While I probably don't have to believe in election, or that Christ is really present when I take the Lord's Supper, to be a Christian, the very presence of them in the Bible implies that they ought to be studied (though, perhaps, not at the expense of other subjects).
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