The first part in an “end-times” triptych.
Many Christians love to have very deep, complex discussions regarding their eschatology (view of end times) – usually with multiple references to obscure numbers or verses in Scripture. The end times doesn’t need to be filled with placards, tracts, or bigoted views that polarise the Church. Don’t worry; I’m not about to go there.
The end of the world tends to freak people out, and it’s quite understandable.
The first thing that comes to my mind is R.E.M.’s song “End Of The World As We Know It” and seeing as I really don’t like R.E.M., this immediately gets me retreating.
The most common topic I hear people discussing when it comes to the end of the world (from a Christian perspective) is “When it is going to occur?”. This is usually combined with arguments based on current political events and allegorical interpretations of scripture that prove their opinion. At the heart of this type of view is a hunger to see Jesus return and see what the Whore of Babylon really looks like. I don’t know if you feel the same way, but this is what turns most people off joining the eschatological conversation.
Despite the (sometimes) weird trappings, it is important to include eschatology in our theological discussions and not be afraid to mention more than “Well all I know is that Jesus is coming back”. A good eschatology will not just get a person looking for evidence of the future, but will draw their view of the future into their present experience. Have you ever thought about the end times as a framework for which to live in the now?
In the Bible, this word ‘end’ comes from the Greek word Telos that doesn’t only mean “the final part of something” but also carries a sense of the fulfilment of a purpose, goal or duty.
So, while we are talking about the end of history, we are also talking about the end goals, purpose and duty of the Kingdom of God. This immediately makes us change the focus of our question from “When is it going to happen?” to something like “What is the end goal of the Church, how does that affect life in the present?”
For instance, if an individual’s eschatology were to be based solely on the belief that the End has only to do with the physical end of the world, how would this affect the way they live? I think we would find that their environmental choices would certainly be affected, as would their perception of a Christian’s role in society and politics. Their view of the world would be coloured by their anticipation of seeing the fantastic events of Daniel and Revelation come to pass. Sometimes, people have very good reasons to suspect that the end of the world is nigh...
... but the trick is to balance this with a broader perspective.
Another person may hold similar beliefs about the end of time but, to them, eschatology isn’t just a study into when and how the earth will end. Their entire lives can shaped by what they see to be the end goals of the Kingdom – renewal, justice, rest, hope, grace, love etcetera.
Eschatology need not only be an exercise in reading the “signs of the times” but can be, if perspectives are broadened, a way of viewing life that is filled with hope. This mini series will look at a couple of aspects of viewing life with the end of the world and the end goals of the Church catholic in mind.
Stay tuned, the world may end before we’re done with this.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Welcome to the Future!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Hey Clare - gidiup for wading in there.
I've been really challenged over the overlap between my eschatology and ecology over the last 12 months.
I think I've always imagined spending eternity in 'some other place' rather than a fully restored earth. A new earth.
2 Peter 3:10 can get misinterpreted pretty savagely as a license for all kinds of careless stewardship. Perhaps (and there'll be a whole lot of use of the word 'perhaps' when it comes to eschatology) it's far more about the earth 'being found' than destroyed.
It brings a whole new take on Matthew 24:40 (Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left). I've always imagined a rapture where the Jesus-follower goes to be with him and the other guy faces eternal judgement. I'm beginning to think it's the other way around. Two men will be in the field and one will get to stay to enjoy the restored Eden that is the new earth.
Either way, I'm pretty sure being faithful with what God's put in our hands is a recurring thread—faithful with his Word, his earth, our talents, His church, His children.
Just thinking...
Yes, there's a growing realization in popular eschatology that it may not be about us "getting off this rock". Of course this would lead us to take care of what we have - our developing beliefs will always, or should always, be alongside our developing lifestyle.
I've always admired the translation of your developing ecology to the way you live.
Personally, I find eschatology is changing my mindset - and it is surprisingly gentle. More about becoming a person that is characterized by hope, peace, rest, love and all the other Kingdom attributes. This works itself in too many ways to mention.
I have a friend who's answer to any event in world hapenings is "well, it's a sign of the times, really, isn't it?". As people have been saying that since the Lord went upwards, I tend not to give the subject much thought. But when I allow my mind to go there, I come to a similar conclusion as what you guys are articulating.
Mine goes something like: the kingdom of God is here. It is within us and among us. In addition, wouldn't heaven be an abundance of all that is good, right and beautiful, and hell, the lack of it? After all, darkness is not a force of it's own, it is simply the absence of light. So perhaps "heaven" speaks of a time when God's will is fully done on earth as it is in heaven and that quote is the subscript to "thy kingdom come".
Regardless, I reckon it's a good use of ones' time to go about making his will done in a glorious fashion.
I get your 'darkness is an absence of light' but I'm wondering: do you think hell is an absence of light or more than that - a presence of evil. Or, do you think that evil is what you get when you have no light. If so, I would still consider that constitutes a force to be overcome with light.
Just a thought...
I think maybe the latter.
Perhaps when the kingdom is fully with us, satan will be disempowered and the 'force' will be rendered impotent. In the meantime, yeah, there's a force, but in terms of the concept of hell and punishment, everyone who has chosen to be anti-god in one form or another will be in the same boat. I reckon that hell is simply getting what you've chosen, to the n'th degree. An absolute lack of God and all that he is. That's where the torment is. All our lives we enjoy the goodness of God, most of us in ignorance of where that goodness comes from. An existance without any of the good that flows from God which we see in it's most fundamental form, in creation, is hell enough for me.
And yeah, the darkness must be and is being overcome with light. But the only way the darkness could overcome the light, is to persuade the light bearers to cease being such. I think my responsibility is to be active in my light-ness which in itself quenches darkness, by it's very nature.
That's my personal challenge.
Post a Comment