Christian; Your “What’s Next” is Impacting How You Feel About Current Events.
What happens next in redemptive history? Let me dial that question in. When you think about your view of God’s plan and activity in the cosmos, what is the next significant event on planet earth? How does that make you feel about the most recent event in the news, or election cycle?
I pastor a small church in what’s called a “post-Christian” context. This means that, by and large, my friends and neighbors grew up outside of the influence of Christian assumptions. We planted a church meant to be an outpost of the Church. By this we mean that we hope to engage people on the Church’s edge, either exploring faith from the outside or questioning it from the inside. As a result, we are mishmash of theological backgrounds. To some degree we know this because of our stated strategy. Still, during times of change or upheaval I have noticed a distinct difference between the way our people with Christian backgrounds react. As I’ve listened and queried over the past several years a trend has emerged. We have different assumptions about what’s next.
I don’t think we are alone in this. It’s increasingly less likely that you go to church with people raised with uniform theological assumptions. To some degree this is beautiful. To some degree this can be very confusing when unexamined. Recently I heard a political commentator suggest that the views of Christians in the news weren’t being parsed out according to their traditions. I agree. It’s unfair to assume that a Pentecostal and a Conservative Baptist think the same. Terms like “evangelical” don’t define the group well enough. Interestingly though, today, people who grew up Pentecostal may go to church with people who grew up Conservative Baptist, and the two may not understand the differences in their assumptions. I believe this is especially true when we consider the question; What’s next?
In 2021 I had a number of conversations with people who were upset, unhappy or leaving church. A theme emerged. They all were clearly experiencing acute anxiety. Almost everyone I knew had concerns or low level anxieties, but this was different. I observed something else. They were not only afraid about what was happening in our country, but what that meant about the world’s spiritual trajectory. When asked, they assumed things were about to get very bad. They were listening to teachers who were warning that it was so, and imminent. I began to ask others, who seemed less afraid, what they assumed God would do next. Some said they didn’t really know or think we could know, but they didn’t seem particularly focused on that question. Some of them actually seemed to anticipate what came next, that Jesus would return and make things right somehow.
[Trust me, I understand that what I am about to share is grossly oversimplified. Innumerable books have been written on the forthcoming concepts, and I am not trying to write a new one. Here is a suggested starting point for learning about the options if you don’t understand them or need to brush up on the terminology.]
When I ask you “what’s next?” I am engaging your views on something usually categorized as eschatology in theological study. It’s the views you hold of last things. Everyone has an eschatological view, some shaped more by the teachings of the Bible than others. Even if you don’t believe in God you have assumptions about what comes next in history. These views drive our decisions around topics such as environmental stewardship and the priority of modern military gun ownership. They shape our priorities and they impact our sense of safety. In Christian theology there are major camps of eschatological assumptions, and then numerous sub-camps within the major camps. Do you know which camp you are most influenced by, and what it has shaped you to assume is coming next?
Some Christians assume that the next events to come are terrible, and that God’s people will be reduced to a tiny community very soon as the world cascades into chaos under some form of evil dictator. Within that camp, sub-camps believe that some Christians can avoid that most difficult time by being found faithful before it starts, while others don’t think that’s an option. Other Christians assume that, while evil is a strong force and will continue to wreak havoc, that God’s Church will grow too. Folks in these camps vary in their assumptions about how much longer the timeline is, but they tend to all be weary to predict such things. Still others assume a long timeline that lends to gradual but continual growth of God’s Church and it’s influence. The next major event in their view is the return of Jesus victorious, greeted by a Church in the best shape it’s ever been in. The urgency for them, is to move toward the better future. Within this camp, there are diverse views on the methods one should employ in accomplishing God’s will.
Of course, these are flyover descriptions of these views. Each of them are built on numerous other theological assumptions and Scriptural interpretations. Do you know which one has been most influential in your life, or which one your church tends to teach from? Many people don’t. Have you examined the other options and sought to choose wisely? Many people haven’t. Examined or not, there’s a solid chance your assumptions are impacting how you feel about current events. Can you see how, and understand how it’s different for others? I share this in the hope that you will examine your own views and also consider that your brother or sister in Christ may be acting on differing assumptions. Maybe it’s worth asking your pastor and friends in your community about their thoughts.
So, do I think we should all sort ourselves according to our end times views? I don’t. To be honest, I haven’t come down hard on one myself. I see strengths and weaknesses in several of the views that I haven’t cleared up yet. One has a number of major issues from my perspective, and I actively try to convince people to re-think their acceptance of it, but I still go to church with people who believe it. I may never choose one ultimate view. What’s next is clearly not entirely “clear” in the teaching of Scripture. If it was, we’d be able to be in more agreement than we are. I think it is wise to be aware of the views, work according to the assumptions of the one that seems most wise to you, and remain open to being wrong. It’s especially wise to learn, and consider the options you are unfamiliar with.
What is clear, no matter your view, is how Christians should live in light of the gospel. The gospel, good news, assures us of the ultimate goodness of God’s plan, and our security as Christians who see and experience God’s grace. We not only experience it personally, but we see that God’s plan and gracious character are good for the entire creation. So what do we do? Well, we all have the same marching orders to follow. We are all commissioned to fill the earth, subdue it (calling of all people made in God’s image — Genesis 1:28), and make disciples of Jesus by teaching them everything he’s taught us (Jesus’ commission to his followers — Matthew 28:18–20).
What has he taught us? Well, he affirmed the law of God (Old Testament) that taught us to love the Lord our God and love our neighbor as ourselves along with many details on how to do so. He drove the law down to the heart level, applying it not only to our actions but our motives. Contemplate Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, especially the sermon on the mount. One of his key teachings, of course, was that we didn’t need to be anxious in light of the good character and will of God the Father (Matthew 6:25–34). So, we should be productive and live responsibly. We should move toward a deeper love of God and others. We should be moving toward being more grounded in hope than afraid. All of this comes from cultivating trust in the promises of God, especially the fact that Jesus’ resurrection signals the renewal of all things (Revelation 21).
So whether things get better or worse. Whether Jesus comes back soon, or in a thousand years. No matter what, we know what to do tomorrow. Hint; it isn’t to dive down an online conspiracy rabbit hole, overthrow an institution, stockpile provisions, hunker down for dear-life, buy another weapon, or seek the scientific solution to everything…or anything like that. Second hint; It isn’t to walk away from God because his people are crazy and become a better moral person without Jesus either. The ancient Proverb probably sums up the call of God on our lives better than I ever could;
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5–8 ESV)
We are people who believe in a God of grace who’s plan is good and full of hope. Let us cultivate hearts that live in light of these truths.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” — Romans 15:13 ESV.
