Revelation, Revolutions, and the Tyrannical New World Order

No religious idea has greater potential for shaping global politics in profoundly negative ways than "the new world order," an old idea that has gained fresh currency in the midst of the revolutions in the Middle East.

Its proponents have argued for years that the new world order would bring about a tyrannical, one-world government, crushing freedom, democracy and Christianity throughout the globe.

Over the years, Christians have imagined that the ruler of the new world order would be the anti-Christ, the man of sin, or the beast that conquers the saints in the biblical text of Revelation.

The burning question, of course, was this: to whom do these images point? Who is this anti-Christ who would crush the righteous, exalt the wicked and rule over the earth?

Over the centuries, believers have identified countless political figures as the anti-Christ or the beast. Fifty years ago, many thought the anti-Christ was embodied in the Soviet Union and the Communist bloc of nations with its designs on the rest of the earth.

But today, especially in the aftermath of Sept. 11, many agree that the anti-Christ points to the Islamic faith. The president of the National Association of Evangelicals, for example, reported as early as 2003 that for many conservative Christians, "Muslims have become the modern-day equivalent of the Evil Empire."

And now, in the midst of the revolutions sweeping across the Middle East, pundits and preachers alike find in those revolutions a grand Islamic conspiracy to subdue the west, trash the Jewish and Christian religions and rule the world.

And millions of Americans lap up every word.

No one presents the case for the new world order more forcefully than Fox News commentator Glenn Back. When the Egyptian Revolution was at its height, Beck flatly observed, "You are watching the beginning of a new world order."

Millions of Muslims throughout the world would find this brand of logic insane. Islam for them promotes peace and mutual understanding. Moreover, the revolutions in the Middle East seek to exalt freedom and democracy, not a tyrannical one-world government.

The New World Order and the Christian Faith

But if the "new world order" rhetoric libels the Muslim faith, it libels the Christian faith as well. The truth is this: the "new world order," as defined by people like Glenn Beck, has no basis in the Bible whatsoever. In fact, this idea is not only unbiblical; it is anti-biblical and fundamentally anti-Christian.

Here's why.

There is only one phrase in the New Testament that is even remotely analogous to the kind of "new world order" about which pundits and preachers regularly warn, and that is a phrase that appears in Revelation 21:1: "new heaven and new earth."

But when we examine what that phrase might mean, we quickly discover a meaning exactly opposite of the "new world order" so loudly proclaimed today.

For in that "new heaven and new earth," according to the text, God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

A cursory reading of that text suggests that while Glenn Beck's "new world order" inspires fear, panic and despair in the face of the approaching one-world government, the "new heaven and new earth" is something quite different -- an entirely new order that brings hope, peace and comfort in a world without "mourning nor crying nor pain."

So what's going on in the biblical text?

Just this: the author of the book of Revelation -- the book in which the reference to a "new heaven and new earth" appears -- wrote near the end of the first century when Christians suffered torture and persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire. And he wrote this book for one reason only: to counsel Christians to hold fast to their faith, even in the face of the most vicious persecutions.

Chapter 20, verse 4, for example, speaks of "those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus, [who] had not worshiped the beast [read: empire or emperor] or its image."

In the face of those persecutions, chapter 2, verse 10 beautifully summarizes the point of this book: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

The text continues: God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain" in this "new heaven and new earth."

Further, the comforting message of the book of Revelation is consistent with the comforting message of the entire New Testament text. For in that larger text, Jesus proclaims a coming "kingdom of God" that brings justice to the oppressed, food for the hungry, clothing for the naked and comfort to those who mourn.

That kingdom is hardly the threatening "new world order" of which Glenn Beck likes to speak. It is a kingdom, instead, that will turn the conventional political order, whether in ancient Rome or modern America, entirely upside down.

If the kingdoms of this world exalt the rich, the kingdom of God will exalt the poor.

If the kingdoms of this world bring oppression and injustice to the masses, the kingdom of God will bring comfort and solace.

If the kingdoms of this world unjustly imprison their political opponents, the kingdom of God will free them.

And if earthly kingdoms seek to control the world by brandishing the sword, the kingdom of God will bring peace to the world through the power of self-giving love.

These are the promises we must keep in mind if we hope to understand the biblical language that speaks of "a new heaven and a new earth" in which mourning and crying and pain will finally cease.

The New World Order and the End of the World

But there is more. For those who speak most loudly of the coming "new world order" of tyranny and oppression routinely link the birth of that tyranny to the end of the world.

I recently listened, for example, to John Hagee, a prominent Christian pastor who routinely warns of the end of the world and the coming new world order.

Appearing on Glenn Beck's show, Hagee explained to a world-wide listening audience that "the Bible is very specific to the fact that we do live in the end of days."

He based this claim on "10 Bible signs."

But as it turns out, the Bible is hardly specific on this point. In fact, Hagee's "signs," in every instance, turn out to be based on conjecture, pairing obscure and isolated passages with current events in ways that strain the imagination.

But while Hagee and others like him routinely point to their convoluted "signs" that herald, they claim, the "end of days," they also ignore the only biblical teachings regarding the end of time that are impossible to misinterpret or misunderstand.

I have in mind, for example, Matthew, chapter 25, that speaks with precision and clarity of the standards by which all men and women will be measured at the final judgment at "the end of days."

Interestingly, those standards have nothing to do with theories regarding the end of the world or an imagined "new world order." They have everything to do instead with the kind of kingdom Jesus envisioned -- a kingdom that lifts up the fallen, that comforts the oppressed, that feeds the hungry and clothes the naked, and that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the poorest of the poor.

Thus, according to Matthew 25, "The King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me.'"

And then to those on his left, the king will say, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me." (Mt. 25:34-35, 41-43)

And when those who stand condemned ask Jesus when they failed to minister to him, he responds, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me."

The message is clear: Just as God will wipe our tears and ease our pain and comfort those who mourn in "the new heaven and the new earth," in the very same way he expects his followers in the here and now to wipe the tears of those who mourn, to ease the pain of those who suffer, and comfort those who are broken in body and in spirit.

This is the meaning of the end of the age and the meaning of the only "new world order" that the Bible knows anything about.

If Christians would spend more time living out this vision and less time speculating about when the end might come, the world would become a better place for us all.

And if Christians would spend more time promoting the values of "the new heaven and the new earth" and less time worrying about "the new world order," we just might help create the kind of world about which every person dreams.

The New World Order and Global Politics

We now must tend to the claim that we made in the beginning of this essay, namely, that no religious idea has greater potential for shaping global politics in profoundly negative ways than "the new world order."

As we have seen, the idea of a "new world order" is foreign to the Bible, but to the extent that it has a religious meaning, it has its roots in theories spun by an itinerant British preacher in the 19th century, John Nelson Darby (1800-1882).

Darby gave to the world something completely novel in Christian history: a complex and detailed vision of violent, cosmic battles that would destroy the world as we know it. And standing at the center of that vision was an international coalition driven by the tyrannical "Antichrist," a coalition later commentators would call the "new world order."

According to Darby, the Antichrist is a satanic figure who would tyrannize the world for seven years, unleashing his fury especially against the Jews and the state of Israel. Darby called that seven-year period "the Tribulation."

Finally, at the end of the seven years of Tribulation, the forces of Antichrist would gather from all corners of the world in one last attempt to destroy the Jewish people in the great, cataclysmic battle of Armageddon.

True Christians, however, would be spared the bloodshed and violence of both the Tribulation and the final battle of Armageddon since Jesus would "rapture" them -- that is, rescue them -- away from the earth to safer heavenly realms.

The noted journalist Bill Moyers has nicely summarized this vision: "Once Israel has occupied the rest of its 'biblical lands,' legions of the Antichrist will attack it, triggering a final showdown in the valley of Armageddon. As the Jews who have not been converted are burned, the Messiah will return for the Rapture. True believers will be transported to heaven where, seated at the right hand of God, they will watch their political and religious opponents writhe in the misery of plagues -- boils, sores, locusts and frogs -- during the several years of the tribulation that follows."

It is true that one can find in the biblical text several of the elements (the terms "Armageddon" and "tribulation," for example) that make up Darby's vision. But to connect those terms to the kind of scenario John Nelson Darby laid out in the 19th century -- and the end-times scenario that millions of American Christians embrace in the 21st century -- simply strains the imagination.

As we noted earlier, the crucial piece of this puzzle is the identity of the Antichrist, the tyrannical figure who both leads and inspires the new world order. And we noted as well that for many years, rapture theologians identified the Soviet Union as the Antichrist. But after Sept. 11, they became quite certain that the Antichrist was closely connected with the Arab world and the Muslim religion.

This means, quite simply, that for rapture theologians, Islam stands at the heart of the tyrannical "new world order."

Precisely here we discover why the idea of a "new world order" has such potential to move global politics in profoundly negative directions, for rapture theologians typically welcome war with the Islamic world. As Bill Moyers wrote of the rapture theologians, "A war with Islam in the Middle East is not something to be feared but welcomed -- an essential conflagration on the road to redemption."

Further, rapture theologians co-opt the United States as a tool in their cosmic vision -- a tool God will use to smite the Antichrist and the enemies of righteousness.

This is why Tim LaHaye, co-author of the best-selling series of end-times books, could lend such strong support to the American invasion and occupation of Iraq. By virtue of that war, LaHaye believed, Iraq would become "a focal point of end-times events."

Even more disturbing is the fact that rapture theologians blissfully open the door to nuclear holocaust.

Rapture theologians have always held that God will destroy his enemies at the end of time in the Great Battle of Armageddon. But since World War II, they have increasingly identified Armageddon with nuclear weaponry, thereby lending biblical inevitability to the prospects of nuclear annihilation.

As one prophecy writer put it, "The holocaust of atomic war would fulfill the prophecies."

In her major study, The Rapture Exposed, noted scholar Barbara Rossing compared rapture theology with the central teachings of the biblical text and concluded that "this theology is not biblical."

The truth is, rapture theology is not only unbiblical; it is anti-biblical. For rapture theologians focus on the hate and violence inspired by the "new world order," all the while ignoring the biblical vision of "a new heaven and a new earth" that brings not hate, but self-giving love; not oppression, but comfort; and not violence, but enduring peace.

But we can also measure rapture theology by the biblical vision of the kingdom of God.

According to the Bible, the kingdom of God exalts the poor at the expense of the rich. But rapture theology exalts only Christians -- and fundamental, born-again Christians at that -- at the expense of everyone else.

According to the Bible, the kingdom of God promises justice for the oppressed. But rapture theology promises greater oppression for those who don't conform to the prophetic timetable the rapture theologians have imposed on the biblical text.

According to the Bible, the kingdom of God resists imperial powers. But rapture theology exalts imperial powers as long as they conform to an imagined prophetic script.

And according to the Bible, the kingdom of God nurtures the paths of peace. But rapture theology celebrates apocalyptic violence.

If American Christians were committed to the biblical vision of "peace on earth, good will toward men," they could contribute immeasurably to the growth of world peace.

But in order for that to happen, they must first abandon their fascination with the "new world order" -- an idea that is alien to the biblical text -- and work instead on behalf of two ideas that are central to the biblical message: "the kingdom of God" and the final realization of that kingdom in "a new heaven and a new earth."

Richard T. Hughes is Distinguished Professor of Religion and Director of the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan Studies at Messiah College. Parts of this article are excerpted from his book, Christian America and the Kingdom of God (University of Illinois Press, 2009).

 

Comments

[NickTAZ]

10:01 PM on 03/26/2011

Although I read the book of revelations as an allegory, I find it perfectly plausible, with the exception of casting the anti-christ as pure evil. His role is simply his role in the course of history. The planet is bound to converge it's governments over time through their economic dealings and transactions. Yes, it will be great when wars temporarily cease due to industry's self interest (businesses will have operations in so many countries that nobody will want world wars anymore because they'll money lose no matter who wins). But we all know that economies move in cycles, and when the world only has one economy (as opposed to hundreds constantly balancing each other) there will come a day of a REAL world wide economy collapse. Woe to those alive those days! But we also cannot forget the message at the end of the allegory that says that we will pick up the pieces after it all falls apart, and we'll put it back together better than it was before (the whole "Jesus reigning on Earth for 1000 years" thing).

[Steve McSwain]

08:28 AM on 02/26/2011

THE END OF THE WORLD - this is a long article but, if you want an accurate - even frightening - insight into the mindset of fundamentalist Christians with their charts, graphs, imaginations, and end-of-the-world orientations, this is a must read. The idea of the Rapture - embraced by many fundamentalist Christians - is an idea the origin of which few of them have a clue. If they knew where it came from, which of course they do not, they'd reject it outright. Interestingly, they think it is in the Bible. It is not. I am still amazed at how many Christians there are who get more of their theology of eschatology from Hal Lindsey and The Late Great Planet Earth and its more recent equally fictitious, re-popularized counterpart by Tim LaHaye, Left Behind, than they get from either Jesus himself or the New Testament. I do not know you, Richard Hughes, author of this article and others similar in content, but I wish I did. You have not only done your research - something most fundamentalist Christians have not done and but a few are honest enough to admit it - you present it in an understandable and readable fashion. Thank you.

[Robin Davis Wilson]

02:21 PM on 02/27/2011

You addressed nothing in your comment in regards to Mr. Hughes’s mistake. None of the “fundamentalist” Christians you refer to believe that the “new Heaven and new earth” in Revelation 20 is one and the same as the one world government spoke of in Revelation 13. Misinformation whether it comes from someone you consider and “expert” or from those you consider to be less enlightened than you, is still misinformation none the less. This mistake is not mere semantics but if he Mr. Hughes did this on purpose, it is far worse than a mistake. It is propaganda against people that don’t “interrupt” thing his way. While the word “rapture” is not mentioned, what Jesus Himself said lead to this theology: Matthew 24:36-44. Once again this theology NEVER calls for any Christian to go to war, kill, or harm anyone in anyway but to be watchful and aware. For this to be “scary or frightening “ or to think that this religious idea has greater potential for shaping global politics in a profoundly negative way is absurd. How could being watchful and aware effect world politics in a “profoundly negative” way. This only shows continued ignorance of the theology, and promotes religious prejudice and intolerance. Mr. Hughes book does contain mistakes about these beliefs, he has a prejudice against. Does it not matter in getting the facts correct when you are making a case against a group of people? You should never fear charts and graphs they are harmless.

[Robin Davis Wilson]

01:45 PM on 02/25/2011

Just to clear up anymore misinformation, no where in the book of Revelation or any other book of the New Testament are Christians called to war, murder, nuclear attacks etc. We are prepared by this book to except death and martyrdom because we will be hated for our religion. We are called to speak out about what is happening but never to pick up the “sword” to force conversions.
Jesus as our Christian example, a pacifist, never murdered anyone, never killed anyone, never went to battle or war, never committed any violence, never harmed or killed anyone that refused to convert to Christianity or except His teachings, instead He was a pacifist revolutionary that said in Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”

The only “sword” Christians are charged to carry is found is as follows
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I find it very frightening that Mr. Hughes has written a book entitled “Christian America and the Kingdom of God” when he totally screwed up this simple chronological events in Christian Eschatology. Mr. Hughes accuses Glenn Beck of misinformation?

Robin Wilson
Portsmouth, Virginia

[Robin Davis Wilson]

01:44 PM on 02/25/2011

I was quite stunned at the inaccuracy of the article written by Richard T. Hughes. The so called “New World Order i.e. One World Government “ that Christians refer to is not what Mr. Hughes calls the “New Heaven and New Earth”. If you are going to try to explain Christian Eschatology you must get the chronology correct.

Mr. Hughes has taken a verse out of chorological order from the book of revelation chapter 21 tried to insert it into chapter 13. Revelation 21 happens more than 1,000 years after the Battle of Armageddon. Revelation 19 describes the battle of Armageddon then Revelation 20 this is AFTER the battle at Armageddon. Note that the reference that Mr. Hughes uses comes from Revelation 21 is 1,000 years after that battle. This is not what Christians refer to as the "New World Order”.
This refers to Revelation 13:3-8 & Revelation 13:16-17

In true Christian Eschatology the one world government, one world leader, cashless society, or as some call it the New World Order happens first and is NOT the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21 as Mr. Hughes claims.

It does not matter if you believe these scriptures or not but Mr. Hughues is 1,000 years off and refers to 2 differnt events as one in the same. This misinformation about what Christians believe Continues to feed the anti-Christian sentiment that provides our society with incorrect ideas, just as people accuse Christians of anti Muslim sentiment.

[MajorKong]

08:13 AM on 02/25/2011

What should really scare you about this is that John Hagee had the ear of the last administration.

[ToniQ]

05:51 AM on 02/25/2011

I suspect the religious will avoid this article like the plague.

[sallysees]

05:35 AM on 02/25/2011

Well, I guess the Moderator disliked my calling Richard Hughes' theology "Pacifist" so the first half of my post was thrown out.
The point is, though, His Anabaptist, Pietist theology has long ago been considered heresy by Orthodox Christian Doctrinal teaching.
Whatever one's theological position, whether Evangelical, Fundamentalist, or Liberal, or Anabaptist, it is heresy to claim the Great theme of which Revelations treat..is peace...when that great theme throughout is JUDGEMENT. And, no matter what the Becks of the world pronounce in the media to the contrary, no sensible, thoughtful Christian,with children and relatives, would in any way welcome their horrible destruction in the cataclysmic Cosmic events foretold in the this New Testament prophecy.

Pacifism has no place in these awful scenes. Yes, coming Judgement. That is the scope of the whole book.We have here, events which cannot be limited by mere ecclesiastic history; but a extremely frightful unveiling of awful scenes which shall end up God's controversy with Satan.
it has as its field the whole Creation, and not merely a corrupt Church in Europe, or The Roman Empire. but what we are seeing is that all the forces of Heaven and Hell are lock in deadly conflict, and bringing to a head the might issues involved, during which the call goes out "Who shall be able to Stand?
And we are left with Paul's onminous words: And we who are left, shall be caught..." A tiny group not worth mentioning,

[LintLass]

10:56 AM on 02/25/2011

OK, Sally, so exactly what does all this calling of people and the world 'Satanic' and about to end in cosmic war and suffering actually *do for you?*

Describe.

Personally.

[mommadona]

12:58 PM on 02/25/2011

You really need to get a life, dear.

[sallysees]

04:44 AM on 02/25/2011

I would also like to point to another peculiarity in the Book of Revelations which marks it off as so different from the New Testament Epistles, and the real difficulty created by attempting to read Christianity into the Book. And this concerns the "Seven lamps stands"
shouldn't this expression at once send our thoughts back to the "One Golden Lamp-Stand" of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25: 31-39?
ONE lamp stand with seven lamps, always characterized, and was indicative of Israel's UNITY in the Land and in the City: Jerusalem.
But here, the scattered condition of the nation is just as distinctly indicated by the fact that the SEVEN LAMPS are no longer united in ONE lampstand. The nation is no longer in the Land, for Jerusalem is NOT now the center; but the people are scattered in ( seven assemblies, or Synagogues) in separate communities in various Gentile cities, with the "Angel of the Assemblies", or Sheliach Tzibbur, being addressed by Christ in the Revelation account in chaps 1-3.
Gentiles know of no such Angel, but he is well-known among Jews as the Legate, or the mouthpiece of the congregation who offered up public prayers to God for them. Tzibbur meaning Assembly, and Sheliach meaning messenger or Angel.
This, it seems to me, offers further proof that Christianity is NOT the subject of the Book of Revelations.

Because, as the ONE lampstand represents Israel in its Unity, the SEVEN lampstands represent Israel in dispersion

[P3]

05:24 AM on 02/25/2011

"Do you not know what these are?
No my Lord,
Not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit

The new Jerusalem (spirit) is not the old Jerusalem (physical)

[rixter1965]

09:01 AM on 02/25/2011

1. Book of Revelation (no S), a.k.a. Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine, a.k.a. Apocalypse of John.
2. ...and maybe he was writing about his own time from the perspective of a cave.

[Somerset sage]

04:42 AM on 02/25/2011

We can see the Rev. Hagee here in England on satellite TV. My friends and I find it amazing that he has so much influence. It seems to us that the fundamentalists help shape US foreign policy in the Middle East which gives a three billion dollar subsidy a year to Israel, ignores their possession of nuclear weapons and seems indifferent to illegal settlements in Palestinian areas. It seems this policy is based on an 'end times' interpretation rather than US national interests or any even handed approach to the problems of the region. It would appear that pleasing these electors influences the State Dept. policy. How does it seem at your end?

[ninetailedfox]

07:07 PM on 02/24/2011

The first rule of making excuses for religion: always claim the religion and "fundament­a­lism/lit­er­alism" are somehow separate. Never offer any evidence of course, just rely on lack of critical thinking. After all if you can frame the fundamenta­ls of a religion as not part of it, then you will believe most anything.

[Uncle Bob]

08:17 PM on 02/24/2011

second rule, always hint at it being a very small number of people that believe this stuff. Don't ever mention what the actual statistics are.

[ninetailedfox]

06:58 PM on 02/24/2011

A christian actually told me that the christians are the anti christ. Weird as it sounds, he may have a point.

[ThatsTheTheWayItIs]

06:25 PM on 02/24/2011

Terrific article. Thanks HP!

I'm an atheist, but a confirmed Catholic. In defense of Catholics, we were taught a message of love in Catechism class. Spiritual love anyway - sex was definitely a sin, even thinking about it :-)

[ninetailedfox]

06:59 PM on 02/24/2011

LOL, I excommunicated myself. I wrote to my old church and told them if they didnt excommunicate me, I would do it myself.

[tonyg6996]

08:44 PM on 02/24/2011

That's amazing, did they actually do it? Do they send you a certificate? I would hang it on my wall haha

[Alturn]

02:39 PM on 02/24/2011

An excellent analysis which aptly articulates the reason why it has taken the head of the Masters of Wisdom, the Planetary Christ who is the World Teacher Maitreya, over 33 years and counting to make a fully public appearance. Fundamentalism which is found in religion, politics, the media (Fox) and economics all cluster primarily in the same political party in America. They use not the words of Jesus but as discussed here latter day authorities to keep large segments of the population in fear, anger and separation. Maitreya has stated "fundamentalism has no future whatsoever" as the growing of what is termed Christ consiousness - aka Buddhi, Love or soul - has as an essential trait reason. Christians should know that the kingdom of heaven is entered through the heart and that fear closes the door to the heart. Yet what they wish - the full return of the Christ and Jesus (which they believe is the same) has continually been pushed back by the abandonment of the principles Jesus taught for the ways of control, manipulation of others and fear.

"Many there are who fear My Advent. The guilt of ages sits upon their shoulders and they trust not. My friends, through Me shall be created the Era of Trust, the removal of guilt, the Citadel of Love.
In awe do men await Me. My friends, I am not God. As your Brother, your Friend, your Teacher, do I come. Forget this not."
- Messages from Maitreya the Christ

[P3]

04:43 AM on 02/25/2011

you know about the kingdom....I am happy for you
Richard seemed kinda clueless, people can't hide behind worldly titles, degrees and books
if one has entered the spiritual realm, then "revelation" is the story of what your soul went thru, spiritual growth comes about by the suffering of soul cleansing and rebirth and renewal and refreshed and comforted if one is only given a "physical eye" then thats all they can see, the "spiritual eye" can give differnt accounts of the same awareness....the earthquake, the flood, the fire, the desert-wasteland, the labor pains of birthing, the destroyer and thief, the tree and ax, the battle and warfare, the characteristic beast nature, the religious characteristic beast nature, the wild and ferocious animals....

[dnptrs]

12:47 PM on 02/24/2011

Professor,
Thank you for the background on this troubling subject. As a non-Christian, I worry about the mental stability of the many who live around us who embrace this very weird theology. There's a kind of mental laziness involved here - one where people pick up these end-times novels, listen to their evangelical pastors, and conclude such a mad, mad vision of things to come. It appears that they dig into this matter so superficially, and prefer these easy, damnable visions of how life is.
Where oh where is rationality, reason, and a gentler spirit?

[ThatsTheTheWayItIs]

06:28 PM on 02/24/2011

As I walk through This wicked world
Searchin for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
-- Nick Lowe

[TheWM]

12:22 PM on 02/24/2011

Yet another theologian insisting that his interpretation of Scripture is much more reasonable than other interpretations, and that his interpretation tells Christians how they must live -- as opposed to, say, not taking as a point of departure the premise that a certain collection of ancient texts will tell one how one is to live today. It seems fairly clearly that Hughes believes that people should lead their lives "according to the Bible" -- even before the point near the end of the article where that phrase is repeated four times. He seems to have that much in common with the people he's criticizing here.

I don't have enough in common with people who think that way to have any debate about how human life should be lived, much the same way that I would not know how to debate astrophysics with someone arguing that the Earth is flat. If we want to debate what the Biblical texts may have meant to the Biblical authors and their contemporaries, that's another matter entirely -- not that Hughes seems to be particularly open-minded on such questions, but they could form the basis of a reasonable debate. Assuming from the start that the authors' intentions will necessarily illuminate our lives today pretty much rules out anything which would resemble a reasonable discussion to me.

[P3]

04:53 AM on 02/25/2011

good intelligence/thinking/understanding
litteral + litteral = litteral (interpretation)
same log differnt eye