>>Using the Bible for predicting the future is a bad idea, but one which has been done over and over and over. Eventually the predictions become obviously false, and that reduces faith in God.<<
Interesting observation. There is a great deal of interest now in what I believe are called end times - the events predicted in the Book of Revelations. My husband and son both read the "Left Behind" series, written by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, which are big best sellers. Over 15 million books sold in the series, says a sticker on the book on my desk. I haven't read them, myself, but understand that they are science fiction based on the Book of Revelations.
My guess is that the interest is caused by the Julian calendar odometer turning over, Y2K. And also, people feel threatened by the rise of globalism. Not just fundamentalist Christians, but fundamentalist Muslims, as we have seen. In fairness, multiculturalism and pop culture are disorienting and seem threatening to a lot of people, not just fundamentalists. In times such as these, people cling to their faith. It's what they know.
I don't think people actually lose faith when the events don't come true, they just change expectations as to when they will come true, or maybe how they will come true.
As for me, I was impressed by the explanation you posted, especially the suggestion that the Bible not be taken quite so literally. |
