It seems that this is a season of apocalyptic themes. Harold Camping, the founder of the Family Radio Network of Christian radio stations, finally gave up after repeated announcements of dates on which he was sure from his careful study of the Bible that Jesus was returning. The latest was in October. A cult in Peru was equally certain that Jesus would return on October 15. There is growing spectulation about the fact that the last year in the Aztec "long calendar" is thought to be 2012 by many scholars although they are uncertain as to what that means. Now a new movie is out entitled Melancholia which one reviewer calls "a zombie apocalypse film."
Why so much focus on apocalyptic? It reaches way beyond the six percent of the population that usually thinks about this topic; the small number of Christians who have great interest in speculation about the end of time despite the fact that in Matthew 24-25, Jesus makes it clear that He does not approve of such speculation. He simply declares that "no one knows," that even as Messiah, He did not know when the second coming is scheduled. The most authentic Christian teaching on this topic is to live each day as it is the day; to be constantly prepared for the end of time no matter how short or long the time.
Is all of this attention to the apocalyptic simply the result of the economy? After all, it is for millions of families the end of their world as they've known it. The forces of good and evil are involved in a great, climactic struggle. It appears that before they are done there is a good chance that the politicians will destroy the American dream, and that is the end of the world for the large numbers who believe in that dream more than they believe in God. Or, are incapable of differentiating the two. Or, is there something else going on here? What do you think?
The economic recession is one of the mega factors stoking our global fears. Tsunamis, floods, terror, starvation, earthquakes, and a potential Middle East nuclear arms race shroud us in an age of apocalyptic uncertainty.
The last time things were this dire was back in the 30’s and 40’s. Maybe I am just nostalgic, but we are suffering from a monstrous leadership deficit.
C.S Lewis, Churchill, Roosevelt provide critical leadership then. So where are the agents of hope today?
Posted by: chris | November 15, 2011 at 06:26 PM