Doctrines: Islands to Themselves?

[Marcia]

My question to the list is does it matter what end time view one holds to? Do any or all of them affect the way we conduct our lives and could any of them have a detrimental effect upon our own lives or those around us? Could our end time views have a positive or detrimental effect upon any nation and the peoples of a nation? Have we really given proper thought to the consequences of our views upon not only our lives but the lives of others as well? What might be a consequence, good or evil, of any particular view point concerning the end times?

We should not divide over endtime views. We can disagree but should not exclude other believers as part of the body of Christ on this basis.

However, one's endtime view affects very strongly how a believer views things in the Bible, and in the world. I am seeing this more and more. I did not see it as a new believer and tended to dismiss endtime theology. But the past few years have changed my mind.

 

[Jim1999]

Better to dwell on islands (theology)than flounder about in the unknown waters.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Ed Edwards]

We should not divide over endtime views. We can disagree but should not exclude other believers as part of the body of Christ on this basis.

However, one's endtime view affects very strongly how a believer views things in the Bible, and in the world. I am seeing this more and more. I did not see it as a new believer and tended to dismiss endtime theology. But the past few years have changed my mind.

Like all tolerance issues -- we cannot tolerate intolerance.
Otherwise I agree, most eschatology beliefs are easy to tolerate However, one post-millennial doctrine cannot be tolerated - Christian Reconstruction.

 

[Marcia]

Like all tolerance issues -- we cannot tolerate intolerance.
Otherwise I agree, most eschatology beliefs are easy to tolerate However, one post-millennial doctrine cannot be tolerated - Christian Reconstruction.

I agree with you on that!

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

Like all tolerance issues -- we cannot tolerate intolerance.
Otherwise I agree, most eschatology beliefs are easy to tolerate However, one post-millennial doctrine cannot be tolerated - Christian Reconstruction.

What is this? Never heard of this...

 

[THEOLDMAN]

He'll come back like a "thief in the night", so quit worrying about it !

 

[Ed Edwards]

What is this? Never heard of this...

Have you heard of Google?
Have you heard of wikipedia?



http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Reconstructionism

It is a rather weak description.

I did once vowed to defend the USConstitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. I never un-vowed that!

 

[Marcia]

What is this? Never heard of this...

They think that Christians will make the earth better and build the Kingdom so Christ can come back.

Some of them believe we should impose OT laws (including stoning people for adultery, etc.) as civil laws. I think a man named North and another guy named Bahnsen or Balsen or something like that are into this.

 

[Matt Black]

Matt, since I am one of those pre-mill dispies with a pessimistic outlook on the future, why don't you tell us about your positive and engaging outlook toward social betterment programs and attempting to at least partially build the kingdom of Heaven here on earth?

Giving to Christian charities, welfare for those who, through no fault of their own, are unable to work (eg: disabled, those with learning difficulties), better educational opportunities for those from deprived and disadvantaged backgrounds.

What goals do you have? How do you propose to partially build the Heavenly Kingdom here on earth? How long do you think it will take, assuming you were in charge, what would you do? How would you eliminate discrimination against the unborn, for example, as part of your social program? Etc. Thanks.

Repeal the Abortion Act 1967 (our equally shameful version of Roe -v- Wade), assuming your hypothesis vests me with absolute power, for starters.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

I look at history dating from the time of Christ. The Roman empire was the top of the "food chain" and we see how they treated people: slavery, gladiators, value of human life diminished. I see the middle ages coming out from paganism where people worshiped trees and if you violated a tree you would have your intestines hammered to the tree and you would be forced to walk around it unraveling yourself until you died. I see people strangled religioiusly and thrown into bogs. I see sacrifieced children on alters to obsene deities. During the reformation people were burned at the steak. Others were decapitated. People went to jail for owing debts. The value of life increased since the middle ages but still low on the perverbial totum pole. now we come down to today civil and human rights have more strength then at any time in history. Since Christ the entire world has been somewhat soften. So if you were an analyst you must say that past experience and data shows that the world seems to be getting a bit better. though there are periods of down turn. But we've improved in the past 2,000 years. And as far as Christ return. he will do so when the Father has chosen. No matter what mankind is doing.

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

I look at history dating from the time of Christ. The Roman empire was the top of the "food chain" and we see how they treated people: slavery, gladiators, value of human life diminished. I see the middle ages coming out from paganism where people worshiped trees and if you violated a tree you would have your intestines hammered to the tree and you would be forced to walk around it unraveling yourself until you died. I see people strangled religioiusly and thrown into bogs. I see sacrifieced children on alters to obsene deities. During the reformation people were burned at the steak. Others were decapitated. People went to jail for owing debts. The value of life increased since the middle ages but still low on the perverbial totum pole. now we come down to today civil and human rights have more strength then at any time in history. Since Christ the entire world has been somewhat soften. So if you were an analyst you must say that past experience and data shows that the world seems to be getting a bit better. though there are periods of down turn. But we've improved in the past 2,000 years. And as far as Christ return. he will do so when the Father has chosen. No matter what mankind is doing.

You're correct. It is hard to deny that - from a social standpoint - the world has gotten much better. Worldwide, literacy and education are at an all time high, healthcare is better and more available, and the average life span is much longer than ever before. I think people sound a little silly when they keep saying how bad things are compared to "the good 'ol days." For many people, the "good 'ol days" weren't really that after all.