Is it possible that it could be 'literal and future' and yet the idea of it be used for 'fear-mongering' today? Before we reduce each other's eschatology to 'a load of crap' maybe we need to consider that maybe we all have a piece of the puzzle or maybe we are all wrong.
I fully agree that much popular theology is a result more of cultural lenses than of scholarly Scriptural studies but I think this applies both to conservative and liberal sides of the fence. 'He who is without sin should throw the first stone' in a sense. I think we often weaponize our theological perspectives and then attempt to 'stone' those who stand in opposition to what we think. I do this all the time but fortunately I haven't blown anyone's head off yet.
Ideas have consequences, so I think there needs to be critical thinking and debate about what we believe, especially concerning 'the study of last things', because these believes shape our behavior now. But is it helpful to slap labels on each other and then draw lines in the sand? I've been wrestling with these questions a lot lately. And I've noticed a lot of folks with stones in their hands (including me).
-shalom! J Fowler (on Twitter: @wiselywoven)
Danny Kam
· 2 months ago
Yes. We always have to be careful of stone throwing, and I think Wes would agree with that also.
Thanks for the comment!
Wes Ellis
· 2 months ago
I accept the criticism that I may be throwing stones but I hope I'm not. Yes, I still think dispensationalism is basically a "load of crap" and that it is only close to valid even on a good day. Harsh as that may be, I don't deny that rational thinkers and honest Christians still may come to that conclusion. I work on a daily basis with other Christians who are dispensationalists (like my friend in the post) and our theological differences don't divide us and we don't let them get in the way of our ministry together. So, though it might sound like I'm drawing lines in the sand, I don't tend to make enemies because of eschatology.
All Comments
I fully agree that much popular theology is a result more of cultural lenses than of scholarly Scriptural studies but I think this applies both to conservative and liberal sides of the fence. 'He who is without sin should throw the first stone' in a sense. I think we often weaponize our theological perspectives and then attempt to 'stone' those who stand in opposition to what we think. I do this all the time but fortunately I haven't blown anyone's head off yet.
Ideas have consequences, so I think there needs to be critical thinking and debate about what we believe, especially concerning 'the study of last things', because these believes shape our behavior now. But is it helpful to slap labels on each other and then draw lines in the sand? I've been wrestling with these questions a lot lately. And I've noticed a lot of folks with stones in their hands (including me).
-shalom!
J Fowler
(on Twitter: @wiselywoven)
Thanks for the comment!