Just arrived to read it this morning- and it is “spot on”!
Having been raised in the “fear-based Mecca” bowl of the COTN, #11 hits hard, and home. Living within the confines of…
11-That the mark of the best doesn’t have to be about people literally lining up to get a mark on their hands or foreheads; no, it’s more than reasonable to realize that the mark of the beast has to do with the way we're all "marked" by toxic empirical emissions. We are all breathing the air of empire, being influenced by greed and consumerism, technology and capitalism that funnel the elite to the top, leverage our imitative desires, and promote scapegoating, all while damaging our souls and destroying the very earth we call home.
The bad news is we've all been marked by this beast because we're all living in empire. However, the good news is that the mark of the lamb might run deeper. “
…your last paragraph is stellar. It is The Way of the Gospel, and The Way of Love (Jesus, incarnate).
I grew up in the fear-based ideology (I did not use the word “theology” intentionally) that made “The Rapture” (Tim LaHaye) and “The Years of the Beast” (Leon Chambers- Nazarene guru and family friend, of all things eschatological and rapture oriented during the ‘70’s & ‘80’s, complete with a film produced by the same name) that was designed to fill altars lined with seekers (me included) every time it was preached (usually the last Sunday of every revival campaign).
I have so many thoughts that coalesce with what you have written, agreeing on every point. The psychological damage, and everlasting fear that so many of my (our) contemporaries still live in is unfathomable.
It all makes me weary when thinking about it- which I don’t do a lot of- precisely because of that existential truth (for me).
To me, I see the root of most “fundamentalism” ensconced in this singular ideology. The chains are still intact on millions captured within the “apocalyptic, “rapture-centric” Gospel created in just the last 200 or so years. God help us!
But, in the end,(I know, you’re thinking “Finally!”), I am thankful for the uncompromising and uncontrolling Love of God that has freed and re-wired my brain (thanks, @ThomasJOord)- although it took more than thirty years to get there.
it's really. amazing how many people i've talked to over the years who had nightmares about this stuff.
also, ironic ... growing up cotn and the prohibition on movies because of the damage hollywood could do to you ... do you know the only movie i ever saw as a kid was "theif in the night"? 😳 as if that wasn't damaging!
all of this makes me weary too ... i dont' really know why i even started writing it, but once i got going i was like "i've come too far to look back now!" (well, i guess i know wy ... i still to this day, get questions about all of this stuff. so, i guess it's needed.)
Thank you for your response. And yes… it is needed. It is going to take as many generations to get away from the trauma as it took to embed it into our psyche.
I must say, reading this got me fired up (in a good way) because you put so many of the feelings I have towards modern Christianity, in the American context, into a concise argument. As a journalist, I strive to make pieces that look at the positive, or reveal something beautiful and interesting, to pair with the desolation we often receive from media.
You said: news is the lowest common denominator of humanity and the rapture is the lowest common denominator of theology.
For me this hits home, but I also believe it does not have to be this way - when it comes to news. The 'news' is what we focus on - regarding what is taking place in the world. And to bring in a bit of modern psychology, what we focus on creates the hardwire for what we look for in the world. If we focus on the lowest common denominator, then we kind of accelerate its perpetuation as well. If we focus on the rapture and a final 'end time', then we are, in a way, looking for confirmation on that, and bringing it into existence.
The 'end times' Christian ethic pairs very well with modern news cycles. We are addicted to seeing the worst in others because it allows us to put ourselves on a pedestal. However, this focus is self-destructive and antithetical to Jesus' teachings. With news and with Christianity, the difficult path forward is the choice to question our perceptions. Question the algorithmic information that demonizes the other, seek to understand those you do not understand. In Christianity, humble yourself and take the plank out of your own eye before you remove the splinter from your neighbor's eyes.
This is the difficult path, the path of resistance, because it takes work and constant reflection, instead of getting to live comfortably behind our perception that everything going wrong in the world is someone else's fault. As you point out so succinctly.
And you're so right on the news part... It doesnt have to be that way. (And it'd be more fair for me to use the phrase “modern news cycle” like you did, to differentiate between that and what journalists like you are trying to do.)
As I read through this, I couldn't help but wonder if you've read any of Biblical Scholar Bart Ehrman's books, specifically "Armageddon: What The Bible Really Says About The End", and/or "Heaven And Hell: A History Of The Afterlife". Ehrman traces the history of apocalyptic teaching; he suggests that Jesus, the actual person, was very much caught up in a newer understanding of the end times, and therefore was a part of a movement that strongly warned that people should ready themselves for the coming kingdom that would be established on earth, judge us all, and annihilate all evil. Therefore all of the commentaries that sprung up from this movement, like The Book of Revelation only continued to prop up these beliefs, and used coded language to persuade people to flee from "empire" as you were highlighting, and ultimately gave them the piece of mind that their god would prevail. And then of course Revelation goes on to highlight how bad things get if you don't get it right.. lol.
In terms of the beginning.. wow.. there are so many concepts to pull apart about whether the beginning was THE beginning of time, was the water and structure of the planet already there... did other stars from other galaxies always exist.. ? This is endless awe and wonder for me. Of course, I don't believe any of this, but I am fascinated by what the writers of that time thought about their beginnings, and how it might all end.
What is equally fascinating to me is how we can analyze all of this, break through to the reason that people during that time felt a certain way, or had a certain understanding... We can analyze what we think that we know about Jesus, what he might have thought, or what movement that he might have been caught up in... And finally we can watch modern movies of all the weird interpretations of these matters like the "Left Behind" series, and make some decisions about why we think those interpretations are wrong for our society and our current views and eschatology. But ultimately WHY do we still believe it? Or why do we think that we NEED to believe in any of it? Why can't we learn from our history, learn why people believed in this stuff, and then from that.. We have a current understanding of it, and we move on? Maybe most have. But Americanized-Christian-Esceptionalism is what.. not smart enough to realize what they are doing? They don't care? Ultimately it's not about Christ, it's about cultural control? Could be I suppose, but that seems almost too smart for the daily deluge of mis-interpreted eschatology, rotten epistemology, pro-spirituality devoid of honor, justice.. love.
It's weird to me. The knowledge base is out there. We are what.. willfully ignorant? Strange world.
I’m aware of Ehrman, but haven’t read him yet. (Too many books!)
The beginning as having already begun was helpful for me … cuz it disassembled a Capital O-Omnipotent power who can do whatever he wants. Among other things, that move set me up to consider the possibility of the divine within evolution itself; the thing responsible for coaxing everything forward. I could be wrong, of course, but it at least allwed me to accept evolution.
Regarding why others think they need to believe in the escapism stuff … idk … probably a dozen different answers … I suspect some of it is just that people have been conditioned to think that that framework is the only way to make meaning. To disassemble is too hard (or too scary), so they just kinda keep doing it.
Most people aren’t really looking for intellectual reasons to get out of that old paradigm cuz they never used intellectual reasons to get in! 🫤 It’s just the air they’ve been breathing their whole life. Ha, it is kinda weird to me too, but also, I’m trying to have compassion. I used to be there.
Thank you. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments.
While you are a new voice and dialogue partner to me, your way of thinking and writing and seeking and asking is resonanting for the questions I'm asking about navigating the wild edges and seeking the Real amidst the work of unwinding atrophied epistemology and supremacist lenses of reading scripture and thinking about what it means to be human. That was a rambling sentence, but, yeah, thanks. I'm learning to be a border walker and to see and unmask the false stories and gods.
Yes to pictures! The book's probably inspired as many paintings and images as any book that's ever been written (at least in Western civilization), don't you think?
That would not surprise me in the least. The whole thing is very trippy and versatile. It absolutely lends to artistic inspiration. In fact, one of my dreams is to make a Revelation pop-up book. Ideally, it would include scratch and sniff effects.
Thanks for this Jonathan.
Just arrived to read it this morning- and it is “spot on”!
Having been raised in the “fear-based Mecca” bowl of the COTN, #11 hits hard, and home. Living within the confines of…
11-That the mark of the best doesn’t have to be about people literally lining up to get a mark on their hands or foreheads; no, it’s more than reasonable to realize that the mark of the beast has to do with the way we're all "marked" by toxic empirical emissions. We are all breathing the air of empire, being influenced by greed and consumerism, technology and capitalism that funnel the elite to the top, leverage our imitative desires, and promote scapegoating, all while damaging our souls and destroying the very earth we call home.
The bad news is we've all been marked by this beast because we're all living in empire. However, the good news is that the mark of the lamb might run deeper. “
…your last paragraph is stellar. It is The Way of the Gospel, and The Way of Love (Jesus, incarnate).
I grew up in the fear-based ideology (I did not use the word “theology” intentionally) that made “The Rapture” (Tim LaHaye) and “The Years of the Beast” (Leon Chambers- Nazarene guru and family friend, of all things eschatological and rapture oriented during the ‘70’s & ‘80’s, complete with a film produced by the same name) that was designed to fill altars lined with seekers (me included) every time it was preached (usually the last Sunday of every revival campaign).
I have so many thoughts that coalesce with what you have written, agreeing on every point. The psychological damage, and everlasting fear that so many of my (our) contemporaries still live in is unfathomable.
It all makes me weary when thinking about it- which I don’t do a lot of- precisely because of that existential truth (for me).
To me, I see the root of most “fundamentalism” ensconced in this singular ideology. The chains are still intact on millions captured within the “apocalyptic, “rapture-centric” Gospel created in just the last 200 or so years. God help us!
But, in the end,(I know, you’re thinking “Finally!”), I am thankful for the uncompromising and uncontrolling Love of God that has freed and re-wired my brain (thanks, @ThomasJOord)- although it took more than thirty years to get there.
But, “getting there “ has been so sweet.
Grace & Prace, my friend- k
thank you Kevin ... great comments ...
it's really. amazing how many people i've talked to over the years who had nightmares about this stuff.
also, ironic ... growing up cotn and the prohibition on movies because of the damage hollywood could do to you ... do you know the only movie i ever saw as a kid was "theif in the night"? 😳 as if that wasn't damaging!
all of this makes me weary too ... i dont' really know why i even started writing it, but once i got going i was like "i've come too far to look back now!" (well, i guess i know wy ... i still to this day, get questions about all of this stuff. so, i guess it's needed.)
thanks. peace.
Yeah… what nightmares!
Thank you for your response. And yes… it is needed. It is going to take as many generations to get away from the trauma as it took to embed it into our psyche.
Grace & Peace, this Lent- k
I sort of think it would be fine if God took all those who want to be Raptured, and left the rest of us to build the Kingdom with God on Earth.
haha, yes, have you seen that tik tok video that says as much? i linked it my '1st thought.'
Thanks for this great piece Jonathan,
I must say, reading this got me fired up (in a good way) because you put so many of the feelings I have towards modern Christianity, in the American context, into a concise argument. As a journalist, I strive to make pieces that look at the positive, or reveal something beautiful and interesting, to pair with the desolation we often receive from media.
You said: news is the lowest common denominator of humanity and the rapture is the lowest common denominator of theology.
For me this hits home, but I also believe it does not have to be this way - when it comes to news. The 'news' is what we focus on - regarding what is taking place in the world. And to bring in a bit of modern psychology, what we focus on creates the hardwire for what we look for in the world. If we focus on the lowest common denominator, then we kind of accelerate its perpetuation as well. If we focus on the rapture and a final 'end time', then we are, in a way, looking for confirmation on that, and bringing it into existence.
The 'end times' Christian ethic pairs very well with modern news cycles. We are addicted to seeing the worst in others because it allows us to put ourselves on a pedestal. However, this focus is self-destructive and antithetical to Jesus' teachings. With news and with Christianity, the difficult path forward is the choice to question our perceptions. Question the algorithmic information that demonizes the other, seek to understand those you do not understand. In Christianity, humble yourself and take the plank out of your own eye before you remove the splinter from your neighbor's eyes.
This is the difficult path, the path of resistance, because it takes work and constant reflection, instead of getting to live comfortably behind our perception that everything going wrong in the world is someone else's fault. As you point out so succinctly.
Thanks again - Peace, love, and truth to you.
Thank you for the thoughtful response.
And you're so right on the news part... It doesnt have to be that way. (And it'd be more fair for me to use the phrase “modern news cycle” like you did, to differentiate between that and what journalists like you are trying to do.)
Thanks for your work.
Excellent post! I look forward to your content.
As I read through this, I couldn't help but wonder if you've read any of Biblical Scholar Bart Ehrman's books, specifically "Armageddon: What The Bible Really Says About The End", and/or "Heaven And Hell: A History Of The Afterlife". Ehrman traces the history of apocalyptic teaching; he suggests that Jesus, the actual person, was very much caught up in a newer understanding of the end times, and therefore was a part of a movement that strongly warned that people should ready themselves for the coming kingdom that would be established on earth, judge us all, and annihilate all evil. Therefore all of the commentaries that sprung up from this movement, like The Book of Revelation only continued to prop up these beliefs, and used coded language to persuade people to flee from "empire" as you were highlighting, and ultimately gave them the piece of mind that their god would prevail. And then of course Revelation goes on to highlight how bad things get if you don't get it right.. lol.
In terms of the beginning.. wow.. there are so many concepts to pull apart about whether the beginning was THE beginning of time, was the water and structure of the planet already there... did other stars from other galaxies always exist.. ? This is endless awe and wonder for me. Of course, I don't believe any of this, but I am fascinated by what the writers of that time thought about their beginnings, and how it might all end.
What is equally fascinating to me is how we can analyze all of this, break through to the reason that people during that time felt a certain way, or had a certain understanding... We can analyze what we think that we know about Jesus, what he might have thought, or what movement that he might have been caught up in... And finally we can watch modern movies of all the weird interpretations of these matters like the "Left Behind" series, and make some decisions about why we think those interpretations are wrong for our society and our current views and eschatology. But ultimately WHY do we still believe it? Or why do we think that we NEED to believe in any of it? Why can't we learn from our history, learn why people believed in this stuff, and then from that.. We have a current understanding of it, and we move on? Maybe most have. But Americanized-Christian-Esceptionalism is what.. not smart enough to realize what they are doing? They don't care? Ultimately it's not about Christ, it's about cultural control? Could be I suppose, but that seems almost too smart for the daily deluge of mis-interpreted eschatology, rotten epistemology, pro-spirituality devoid of honor, justice.. love.
It's weird to me. The knowledge base is out there. We are what.. willfully ignorant? Strange world.
Thanks Tom,
I’m aware of Ehrman, but haven’t read him yet. (Too many books!)
The beginning as having already begun was helpful for me … cuz it disassembled a Capital O-Omnipotent power who can do whatever he wants. Among other things, that move set me up to consider the possibility of the divine within evolution itself; the thing responsible for coaxing everything forward. I could be wrong, of course, but it at least allwed me to accept evolution.
Regarding why others think they need to believe in the escapism stuff … idk … probably a dozen different answers … I suspect some of it is just that people have been conditioned to think that that framework is the only way to make meaning. To disassemble is too hard (or too scary), so they just kinda keep doing it.
Most people aren’t really looking for intellectual reasons to get out of that old paradigm cuz they never used intellectual reasons to get in! 🫤 It’s just the air they’ve been breathing their whole life. Ha, it is kinda weird to me too, but also, I’m trying to have compassion. I used to be there.
Thank you. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments.
I will be marinating on this one. Hits close to home. Thank you for your writing.
thank you. yes, marinate away!
While you are a new voice and dialogue partner to me, your way of thinking and writing and seeking and asking is resonanting for the questions I'm asking about navigating the wild edges and seeking the Real amidst the work of unwinding atrophied epistemology and supremacist lenses of reading scripture and thinking about what it means to be human. That was a rambling sentence, but, yeah, thanks. I'm learning to be a border walker and to see and unmask the false stories and gods.
You had me at “unwinding atrophied epistemology and supremacist lenses of reading scripture.” ❤️
Revelation is my favorite book of the Bible. I like pictures, and it has lots of word-pictures. And, thank you very much for the mention.
Yes to pictures! The book's probably inspired as many paintings and images as any book that's ever been written (at least in Western civilization), don't you think?
That would not surprise me in the least. The whole thing is very trippy and versatile. It absolutely lends to artistic inspiration. In fact, one of my dreams is to make a Revelation pop-up book. Ideally, it would include scratch and sniff effects.
🤣 that's one of the best things I've ever heard of
It would be awesome if you could incorporate a pop-up (or would it be a “pop-down?) “Returning King” on horseback (Pegasus?) near the end! 😉
Excellent thoughts and writing.
thanks tim!
Looking forward to the conversation!