Comments on: End Times Obsession http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/ Sam Metcalf's blog about a new generation of leaders for the global church. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:56:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Sam http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-55983 Sam Wed, 28 May 2008 12:28:06 +0000 http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-55983 Bryan: I have no doubt that God can use whatever means he chooses to reach men and women and it is wonderful that he used this series to do that with you. I believe that is a evidence of God's incredible accommodation and the power of the Spirit to act with sovereign design. But that does not change the fact that among Christians, a fascination with such literature can be a misplaced focus. Bryan:

I have no doubt that God can use whatever means he chooses to reach men and women and it is wonderful that he used this series to do that with you. I believe that is a evidence of God’s incredible accommodation and the power of the Spirit to act with sovereign design.

But that does not change the fact that among Christians, a fascination with such literature can be a misplaced focus.

]]> By: bryan mewhiney http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-55977 bryan mewhiney Wed, 28 May 2008 02:50:16 +0000 http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-55977 howdy, in response to your post mentioning the left behind series, i'd just like to point out that personally, God used the left behind series to draw me to Christ. as a result of those books (and yes, i kept on reading the series, just about to get into the last one now...) i now have: (a) a real relationship with my Saviour, Jesus Christ (b) a story to tell, and (c) an appreciation that God can and does use any way possible to lead us to the truth please be careful about how you share your opinions of end-times literature. although (us) believers should look to the Word for spiritual growth etc, i would be careful not to turn someone (non-believer) away from reading something such as the left behind series, compared to some of the other 'somewhat' less Jesus-centered stuff out there... howdy,

in response to your post mentioning the left behind series, i’d just like to point out that personally, God used the left behind series to draw me to Christ.

as a result of those books (and yes, i kept on reading the series, just about to get into the last one now…) i now have:

(a) a real relationship with my Saviour, Jesus Christ
(b) a story to tell, and
(c) an appreciation that God can and does use any way possible to lead us to the truth

please be careful about how you share your opinions of end-times literature. although (us) believers should look to the Word for spiritual growth etc, i would be careful not to turn someone (non-believer) away from reading something such as the left behind series, compared to some of the other ‘somewhat’ less Jesus-centered stuff out there…

]]> By: Patrick http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-2812 Patrick Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:00:32 +0000 http://www.undertheiceberg.com/2007/02/17/end-times-obsession/#comment-2812 One of the most glaring differences between academic and popular theology is in this area. It's shocking, not just because this kind of stuff is so entirely non-Christian in essence because it provokes fear and paranoia. It's also shocking because a well-developed eschatology can be amazingly transformative in every area of ministry. It's a subject of hope and renewal and thanksgiving in which we should be renewed each day in our tasks because of the fact Christ has already won the day. Heaven has entered into time and we can even now participate in the Kingdom. So much do I think this that I see one really important aspect of my own future ministry to help bring a renewed appreciation for genuine, Biblical eschatology. Not just by knocking aside the Hagees of this world but by finding a manner of expression that conveys the beauty of good theology without being weighed down by the lofty, alienating language. I think getting a renewed eschatology in the broader church could bring an aspect of renewal that would echo across the world. One of the most glaring differences between academic and popular theology is in this area. It’s shocking, not just because this kind of stuff is so entirely non-Christian in essence because it provokes fear and paranoia. It’s also shocking because a well-developed eschatology can be amazingly transformative in every area of ministry. It’s a subject of hope and renewal and thanksgiving in which we should be renewed each day in our tasks because of the fact Christ has already won the day. Heaven has entered into time and we can even now participate in the Kingdom.

So much do I think this that I see one really important aspect of my own future ministry to help bring a renewed appreciation for genuine, Biblical eschatology. Not just by knocking aside the Hagees of this world but by finding a manner of expression that conveys the beauty of good theology without being weighed down by the lofty, alienating language.

I think getting a renewed eschatology in the broader church could bring an aspect of renewal that would echo across the world.

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