Page CXVI Hymns I

Page CXVI Hymns II

Eschatology and Societal Engagement

While talking with some friends about how our eschatology affects our approach to cultural engagement, one pointed out that often it breaks down this way:

• Premillenialists - expectancy of society going from bad to worse leads to abandonment of culture and politics
  
• Amillenialists - theology of two kingdoms causes a dichotomy between politics and religion
• Postmillenialists - expectation of societal improvement through Christian influence drives engagement

This summary has some historical validity and makes postmillenialism appear quite attractive to the Christian who recognizes Christ's lordship over every area of life and culture, but we should note that these resulting approaches are not necessary results of the eschatology. Nor is societal engagement the exclusive domain of postmillenialism. Advocates of that view may insist that the pessimism of the alternate decimates hope and destroys engagement, but this is simplistic. I can expect things to get worse futuristically and globally and still hope to affect my sphere of influence temporally and locally - which is the call of love. A Red Cross worker may realize that most of the earthquake survivors they are tending will die, yet desire to save as many as possible and lessen the pain of the rest. At the end of the day, the optimism of postmillenialism has a hard time dealing fairly with Scriptures' warnings about these last days in which we live:

• (2 Ti 3:1) “...in the last days there will come times of difficulty."
• (2 Ti 3:12-13) “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
• (Mt 24:4-14) "[anti-Christs], [wars], [famines], [earthquakes]...all these are but the beginning of the birth pains...and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake...and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold."
• (Revelation) - see whole book

In light of these and other similar passages, it seems reasonable to interpret parables like Mt 13:31-33, not as suggesting the world will improve because of Christendom, but encouraging us that the kingdom of heaven will expand to have a global effect.

WHY DO WE CARE? Good question. I think there's a couple reasons:

• Because we think Jesus and Paul very consciously prepared their disciples to suffer. We know from experience the difference between engaging a difficulty you've mentally prepared for and being blindsided by pain. My five year old, Simon, isn't huge, and can hit me as hard as he wants when I've got my abs ready, but if he sucker punches me, I'm gonna buckle.
• Because we care about social engagement. Long-term, I believe things are going from bad to worse, but I believe there is much we can do in the present to love and serve our neighbors, to guard the innocent, and to glorify God through the enjoyment of culture in this present age. If our social engagement is fueled by a postmillenial hope, I fear the inevitable demise of that hope will mean the faltering of our engagement.
• Because we are at a constant risk of letting good things displace the gospel. Political action and cultural engagement are good things, but they are secondary things.

My Other Blog

FYI - This blog is about stuff I really love. I will occasionally post about things related to my job selling True refrigeration and other restaurant equipment at my other blog, Sunny Side Up.

The Creation, Fall, and Redemption of Marriage

God has been blessing Athena and I in so many ways! Recently, I was asked to co-teach a marriage SS class at our church. We had a great turnout the last 2 wks. and some active participation.

This past Sunday, the focus was on understanding marriage in the context of Creation, Fall, and Redemption/New Creation. Creation teaches us that marriage is good. The fall introduces the reality that marriage is hard. Redemption and New Creation not only restore the goodness of marriage, but they transform our marriages into an opportunity for grace to shine.

Put another way, creation teaches me that, because my wife is the image of God, she has a dignity that should inspire wonder and gratitude as I enjoy and serve her. The fall reminds me that, because my wife is a fallen sinner, she has a tendency toward sin and weakness that should make me unsurprised when she fails or hurts me, quick to extend grace, and on guard for her soul. Redemption introduces the truth that my wife is a new creation and has new spiritual life, power, and insight that should encourage hope for the future and grace in the present.

Closely related, I have been reading "Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace" by Gary and Betsy Ricucci and it rocks!