What is the Theologians perspective of 12-21-2012?

Question

I've been reading online about this Mayan prediction. What is the perspective of Biblical Scholars on this event? Has anyone heard this addressed by theologians?

I am not concerned about it being the end of the world. It actually doesn't even state that it is. I am just wondering where all the Christian commentary might be found on this subject.
According to the Mayan culture it is a time of the change of human perspective.

Answer 1

Mayans did not equate with time standards as we now have.

Answer 2

2012 and the Long Count -

The end of the 13th b'ak'tun is conjectured to have been of great significance to the Maya. It does not necessarily mark the end of the world, according to their beliefs, but a new beginning or time of re-birth. According to the Popol Vuh, a book compiling details of creation accounts known to the Quiché Maya of the colonial-era highlands, we are living in the fifth world. The Popol Vuh describes the first four creations that the gods failed in making and the creation of the successful fifth world where men were placed.

The last creation ended on a long count of 12.19.19.17.19. Another 12.19.19.17.19 will occur on December 20th 2012, followed by the start of the thirteenth Baktun, 13.0.0.0.0, on December 21st. It has been discussed in many New Age articles and books that this will be the end of this creation, the next pole shift or something else entirely. However, the Maya abbreviated their long counts to just the last five vigesimal places. There was an infinite number of larger units that were usually not shown. When the larger units were shown (notably on a monument from Coba), the end of the last creation is expressed as 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0, where the units are obviously supposed to be 13s twenty places larger than that b'ak'tun. In this age we are only approaching 0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.13.0.0.0.0, and the larger places would all need to similarly roll over to 13 again to match the date of the new creation.[7]

This is confirmed by a date from Palenque, which projects forward in time to 1.0.0.0.0.0, which will occur on October 13, 4772 (a Friday). The Classic Period Maya likely did not believe that the end of this age would occur in 2012. According to the Maya, there will be a baktun ending in 2012, a significant event being the end of the 13th 400 year period, but not the end of the world.

Answer 3

They have acknowledged it, but no one knows the day is what they are saying.

Also it is predicted that the next Pope will be Peter the Roman and the last Pope of history. Peter the Roman is also to be the false prophet of Revelation.

Many predictions, but only the Lord knows.
This is what Jesus said about the latter days that I believe we are living in.
Luke 22:36 - Jesus said
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Answer 4

If your concerned about the end of the world happening on that day...then dont worry about it. the bible clearly states that no one knows the date of Armageddon. Even Jesus, while walking this earth as a man, was denied knowing the date. For anyone else to make guesses, well...thats all they are. Guesses.

Answer 5

You may find some theologians who are pre-dispensational millenialists who might give the date some credence. However, early church theologians, as well as theologians from the reformation would not give it any credence.

Answer 6

Being a Bible scholar...I would say, "Who knows?"

BA Moody Bible Institute
MMin Beth'el College

Answer 7

I'm going to play golf that day.

Perspective: ::::Yawn:::::