In ‘Crown of Wonder,’ we marveled at the unique aspects of the 2024 total solar eclipse, celebrating its celestial beauty. ‘Shadow of Conspiracy‘ took us through the logistical challenges and societal phenomena sparked by this event. Now, with ‘Transcend,’ our series reaches its culmination, aiming to elevate our perspective beyond the fray of End Times discourse and scriptural misinterpretations. This finale invites us to anchor our understanding in the enduring truth found in Christ, shining a light on the path to discernment amidst the tumult of predictions and theories.
America faces a watershed momentโbiblical literacy and confidence in foundational institutions, including the church, are plummeting to unprecedented lows. This crisis comes at a time when civil unrest mirrors the tumultuous 1960s, and a spiritual instability not witnessed for generations emerges.
In these times, the line between healthy skepticism and an agnostic stance on truth blurs. As Christians, however, weโre assured truth can be known and certainty should be rooted in Christ, of whom all wisdom and knowledge are hidden (Colossians 2:3).
Let’s transcend the cacophony of End Times discourse misusing Scripture. Our path to understanding truth, anchored in Christ, shines a beacon on what we can unequivocally know and trust. Though life’s uncertainties may buffet us, anchored in Christ, we stand firm against the storm’s fury.
The Cultural and Spiritual Context
Americaโs Spiritual State
As America navigates the tempest of rapid technological advancement and information deluge, it finds itself at a spiritual and intellectual juncture. The erosion of biblical literacy, once the cornerstone of Christian faith, signals a crisis not just in personal faith but in the communal ethos of Christian America.
Decades-long research by Gallup and the Barna Group paints a stark picture of a nation drifting away from its biblical moorings. Concurrently, Pew Research and Gallup polls capture a profound shift, revealing an unprecedented level of skepticism towards once-revered institutions, including the church. This skepticism is not just a statistical footnote; it represents a profound crisis of faith and trust in the societal pillars that have traditionally upheld American life.
The spirit of the 1960sโmarked by civil rights upheavals and anti-war protestsโresonates today, not just in the form of marches and demonstrations, but as a deep spiritual quest. In an era where voices of authority are myriad and often conflicting, this quest for truth ventures beyond mere political or social activism, signaling a profound spiritual searching.
The End Is Always Near
The allure of End Times predictions has always captured the human imagination, particularly in moments of crisis. Yet, todayโs context, marked by a decline in biblical literacy and an explosion of conspiracy theoriesโsome of which have moved from the fringes to the mainstreamโprovides fertile ground for misunderstandings and misapplications of biblical prophecy. This unique mix of factors has led to a proliferation of End Times narratives that, while compelling, often stray from scriptural accuracy, complicating our collective quest for truth and understanding.
The latest Gallup findings underscore a pivotal shift: only 20 percent of Americans now view the Bible as the literal word of God, marking a significant departure from traditional views of Scripture’s authority. Furthermore, Pew Research highlights a concerning trend where only 30 percent of Americans, including just 55 percent of Evangelicals, believe the Bible should be interpreted literally. These statistics signal a deeply fragmented faith landscape, ripe for confusion and ripe for reinterpretation, challenging us to find clarity and unity in our understanding of Scripture.
These statistics are not merely numbers; they are a clarion call for a Christian community at a pivotal crossroads. In the chapters that follow, we’ll explore how, rooted in Christ’s teachings and guided by Scripture, we can navigate these turbulent waters with discernment, faith, and a unified purpose, shining a light of hope and truth amidst the darkness.
God as the Foundation of Knowledge
The Study of Knowledge
Diving into the heart of epistemologyโthe theory or study of knowledgeโwe confront fundamental questions: How do we know what we know? Can we trust our minds, our senses, or even our existence? Such inquiries aren’t merely philosophical puzzles; they demand concrete answers. As Christians, we find these answers rooted in Scripture, specifically in Christ, the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge as proclaimed in Colossians 2:3.
Dr. Greg Bahnsen, in Always Ready, emphasizes the critical role of Christ in our quest for understanding. He argues that excluding Christ from any part of our thinking is a pathway to falsehood and spiritual death. Bahnsen firmly states that acknowledging Christ is not merely an intellectual endpoint but the very foundation of all knowledge, warning that any other foundation is merely an illusion.
All Know God Exists
Bahnsen illuminates the paradox of knowledge in a God-denying world. He applies Proverbs 1:7’s wisdomโโThe fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledgeโโto everyone, including unbelievers. While they, too, are capable of knowledge, having been created in the image of a knowing God, their denial of Him renders their foundational basis for understanding logically inconsistent. Thus, without the acknowledgment of God, the unbeliever’s exercise of knowledge is an exercise in delusionโexercising a capacity their own worldview cannot support.
According to the Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:18-21, all people everywhere are aware of Godโs existence because โit is evident within them.โ Not only has God made His presence undeniable, so that, the Psalmist calls the God-denier โa foolโ but that in the very way we think, reason, and act is evidence we are made in Godโs image.
This realization beckons us to a profound truth: knowledge isn’t just an intellectual exercise but a holistic endeavor that must be Christ-centered. Bahnsen’s insight that relegating Christ to the periphery of our lives leads to a disjointed reality is a stark reminder. Christ’s presence must permeate our entire beingโshaping not only our spiritual perceptions but our understanding of the world, including its natural marvels like solar eclipses.
A Much Larger Subject: Christian Epistemology
Navigating Christian epistemology urges us to distinguish between the spiritual and the natural. Solar eclipses, governed by God’s laws, aren’t spiritual events but natural ones that direct our thoughts towards the Creator’s majesty. They remind us of God’s sovereignty and the order He established, allowing us to marvel at His creation through the lens of Christ’s wisdom.
With a proper understanding of knowledge, we can critically approach what is happening in nature, appreciate it for what it is, and discard what it isnโt. Such discernment is crucial as we approach topics ripe for misunderstanding, like the misuse of Scripture in End Times predictions.
America, Humble Yourselves & Pray is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Subscribed
The Misuse of Scripture in End Times Predictions
Not A Game: False Prophecies
The allure of decoding eschatological signs has led many astray, with scriptural misinterpretation fostering a misguided eagerness for predicting the end times. This misalignment with Scripture is starkly rebuked by Jesus in Matthew 12:39, where He warns against seeking signs as proof of divine plans, urging instead for faith in God’s sovereignty. Ironically, Christโs condemnation of sign seekers precedes His giving of the ‘Sign of Jonah’: the text currently being twisted due to the 2024 Eclipses path over several towns named Nineveh. This serves as a potent reminder of the folly inherent in desiring our own signs over trusting in what God actually has communicated.
Omens & Palm Reading
Equating natural events with omens mirrors practices condemned by Scripture, such as palm reading and astrology. This misguided approach not only veers into the realm of divinationโexplicitly forbidden in Scriptures like Leviticus 19:26 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12โbut also diverts attention from the core tenets of Christian faith.
This fascination with signs and hidden knowledge often reflects a deeper uneaseโa reluctance to embrace God’s will and sovereigntyโโThe secret things belong to Yahweh our Godโ (Deut. 29:29 LSB). True faith resides not in the deciphering of esoteric and abstract signsโlike Gnosticsโbut in the steadfast belief in God’s promises and the assurance of His unwavering faithfulness
The Danger of Newspaper Theology
‘Newspaper theology’ risks more than just misinterpretation; it fosters fear, confusion, and division within the Christian community. This approach stands in stark contrast to the biblical mandate for discernment and unity in truth, as Christians are called to examine teachings against Scripture and uphold what is good, per 1 Thessalonians 5:21.โ
In facing natural events and end times predictions, our stance should be one of unwavering trust in Godโs plan and diligent adherence to Scripture. This approach not only aligns us with divine sovereignty but also shields us from the unrest brought on by speculative predictions, grounding us in the peace and hope of God’s Word.
Conclusion
2024 Total Solar Eclipse Series Reflection
As this series concludes, our journey from marveling at the eclipse in Crown of Wonder, navigating societal responses in Shadow of Conspiracy, to applying spiritual discernment, underlines a crucial lesson for Christians: the essence of grounding our insights and beliefs in Scripture.
This moment calls us not just to passive contemplation but to active engagement with Scripture. By deepening our biblical literacy, we fortify our communities against the confusion of our times. The pressing need for clarity and conviction in our faith journey makes the study of God’s Word not optional but essential.
Look To God in Heaven, Not The Heavens
Reflecting on natural phenomena like solar eclipses reminds us to elevate our gaze not towards transient signs but towards the timeless sovereignty of God. These events, while awe-inspiring, are markers of God’s grand design, prompting us to celebrate His creation while firmly rooted in the eternal truths of His Word.
Let this series inspire us to deepen our engagement with Scripture, setting Christ as the cornerstone of all knowledge. By doing so, we shield ourselves from being swayed by fleeting theories and interpretations, instead cultivating a faith that is informed, resilient, and anchored in the eternal wisdom of God.
