According to the big book, this world is going to hell---all the terrible things happening right now in the world perpetuated by mankind are all leading to the big finale as planned by the big G. So should Christians even bother getting involved proactively (like protesting or however) trying to solve the problems of war, environmental destructions, poverty, diseases, etc.?
Don't you all think it's a waste of time? Why not just let things happen as planned?
2006-09-01 10:13:21 · 14 answers · asked by St. Anthony of Y!Answers 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry, that wasn't even a good try.
Stick to tripping old ladies at the bus stop.
2006-09-01 10:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Actually you misunderstand what is going on in the big book. The big book as we have it today is not clear about the end times and God's judgement because the author(s) felt it was not necessary to go into great detail about it. The language and terms used seem to have an axiomatic sense to them. An axiom is a statement that does not demand proof of argument. For example, 2 + 2 = 4. This is taken for granted and no one argues it for it is well known to any audience.
It is the same about the Bible's sense of judgment or God's wrath. The author(s) took it for granted that their audience already knew most of what they were discussing and did not need to go into great details.
We do know this from the letters of St.Paul. The judgment of God and His wrath is not to destroy the world or let it "go to hell in a handbasket". In Jewish understanding of time and the cosmos all the successive ages are worse and worse only to be purified by God and all of creation redeemed. The judgment of God will usher in a new age for us and the world. All of creation is and will be redeemed.
Now a Christian evangelizes this good news to the world so the world will not fall into despair and lose sight of God. So, although salvation can be lost, it also can be gained if the Christian brings that good news to those who have no hope or have forgotten God's saving work in Jesus the Christ. Therefore, evangelizing is also His redemptive act through us for He honors us by letting us participate in His mission. And so, would it make sense for a Christian not to bring God and His good news to redeem a world, especially since that is His plan and asks us to be a part of that same plan?
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john
2006-09-01 10:37:09 · answer #2 · answered by som 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct in your thinking. We are now in what the Bible calls the "last days" and God's war against the wicked will be upon us sooner than we realize. The world is so much like it was in the time of Noah. The Scripture at 2 Chronicles 20:17 shows what stand Christians should take when the end is upon us:
'You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem ' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you."
God also helped Moses and the Israelites. At Exodus 14:13 it reads: " And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."
Just as God fought the battle for his servants then, so will he do now. We only need to stand back and God will intervene in our behalf. Bible prophecy is now being fulfilled and we must not be involved in the political affairs of this world for it will soon be time for God to act.
2006-09-01 10:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by Micah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you are (as you said ) in the finale , your work would be judged by god . if you were a good person then you go to heaven . if you were a bad guy you go to hell . everyone should protest to solve the problems bcz its also mentioned that you must be good with others as much as yourself . poverty , diseases , wars , ..... are all man made problems . now the question would be why some do such nasty work if they know they are going to hell . nothing is waste of time if you do a good thing today god will remember it to you in the future .
2006-09-01 10:21:38 · answer #4 · answered by zazou 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians barely bother to get involved in making the world a better place. They are only interested in paving the way to heaven and the rewards therein.
2006-09-01 10:26:56 · answer #5 · answered by Rance D 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apathy is part and parcel of the sin of sloth.
Quotes by Mother Teresa:
There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those.
Ido not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness
2006-09-01 11:00:25 · answer #6 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my job as a christian is not to save the world or not;
that is God's job. my job is to do God's will and to make
the world a better place for any souls i come across.
usually that means giving a hand, a bite to eat or
sometimes a word of comfort or encouragement. i also
must take care to not do harm to anyone. if i do my
job right i will have no time for worrying about anything
else, so thank God He takes care of the rest.
2006-09-01 10:26:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've thought about that myself, and I can't explain it, but yes -- I should and do get involved. Read Rousseau's Social Contract, you'll see what I mean. Kind of a quandary for us Christians and how we view our relationship with the world.
2006-09-01 12:33:55 · answer #8 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, let me see if you can relate....
You own a car, it has a manual. You know you have to do certain things for the car to run its best for its lifetime. You know that the value depreciates the longer you own it, but still you do your best to keep it at its best. Or...do you just ignore what you need to do and let it run into the ground earlier than it would if you had been doing maintenance?
Just something else that makes you go...hmmm.
Think about it ;-)
2006-09-01 10:27:52 · answer #9 · answered by Diva 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not just lay down and die? Why get up in the morning?
For goodness sake man you only have to be with nature and open your eyes to see the beauty of this world and that it is worth fighting to preserve.
2006-09-01 10:34:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not suppose to stop living just because we are now in the end of times. We are to continue to share the word of God with those who seek their salvation through Jesus. And He is God and not the big G. And only those who do not accept Jesus as their savior are going to hell.
2006-09-01 10:17:16 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋