Category: Cultural Commentaries

It’s the End of the World as We Know It

~ Evan Lenow ~ 3 Comments

In 1987, the band R.E.M. released a song entitled, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.” For those of us who were old enough to remember that song in the late ‘80’s (and subsequently released a few more times on “Best Of” and compilation albums), we get that catchy tune stuck in our heads and then finish the line, “and I feel fine…” (I apologize to all of you who now have the song permanently on repeat in your head). For some reason, that song has popped into my head any time I think of the claims of the doomsday “prophet” Harold Camping and his prophecy that the world will come to an end on May 21, 2011.

I had seen the billboards and read news articles about Camping’s prediction, but I decided to go to his website and read his argument for myself a couple of weeks ago. I think the logic of his argument may leave you speechless, but not in a good way. Let me summarize.

Camping claims that he can prove definitively that the flood (Genesis 6-9) occurred in 4990 B.C., although he does not offer that proof with his current claims. Then he uses 2 Peter 3:8 as a hermeneutical grid for the interpretation of God’s revelation and time. Peter writes, “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” Based on a literal interpretation of that verse, Camping argues that God gave mankind 7,000 years to repent before the judgment based on the statement in Gen 7:4 that God told Noah the flood would start 7 days after he gathered the animals to the ark. Since Camping believes 7 days equals 7,000 years, we get to 2011.

Next, he believes that the exact date of the crucifixion of Jesus was April 1, 33 A.D. He has calculated that there are 722,500 days between April 1, 33 and May 21, 2011 taking into account leap years, etc. Camping believes this is a significant number because you can multiply 5x10x17x5x10x17 to get 722,500. According to his numerology, 5 is the number of atonement or redemption, 10 is the number of completeness, and 17 is the number of heaven. Since these numbers ought to be doubled, or repeated, for significance (based on 2 Peter 3:8), then the multiplication sequence brings us to the number of days until the rapture.

Here is Camping’s conclusion to his argument:

We must comment further about the incredible nature of this proof which is completely based on Biblical information.

1. April 1, 33 A.D. is the date God focuses our attention on, how Christ died to atone for our sins as Christ was crucified on that day. The number 5 also focuses on that day, inasmuch as it can spiritually signify the atonement.

2. Our salvation is entirely completed at the time believers receive their eternally alive resurrected bodies. This is what happens on the day of the Rapture, May 21, 2011. Thus the period of April 1, 33 A.D. to May 21, 2011 (inclusive) is the complete period from the time God shows us how our salvation was accomplished to the time our salvation has been entirely completed. This coincides perfectly with the number 10, which signifies completeness.

3. On May 21, 2011, the date of the Rapture, each and every saved person goes to Heaven because his salvation is altogether completed. The number 17 fits perfectly because it signifies Heaven when it has spiritual meaning.

4. The doubling of the numbers 5 x 10 x 17 like the doubling of the phrase “a day is as a thousand years” assures us that the truth of these proofs is established by God and will shortly come to pass. Isn’t it amazing that God uses this doubling principle to further guarantee that the date May 21, 2011 is absolutely certain, even as God has used it to absolutely assure us that Judgment Day is exactly 7,000 years after the flood of Noah’s day.

Indeed, in the face of all of this incredible information, how can anyone dare to dispute with the Bible concerning the absolute truth that the beginning of the Day of Judgment together with the Rapture will occur on May 21, 2011.

Thus, Camping and his followers reach the conclusion that May 21, 2011 is “the end of the world as we know it” (my apologies to R.E.M.). Of course similar predictions have been made before by Camping and others. Camping made similar predictions for 1988 (he claims on his website that the church age ended on May 21, 1988) and 1994. Similar predictions by other groups include the infamous prediction by William Miller that the rapture would occur on March 21, 1844. This failed prediction led to the founding of the Adventist Church.

What are we to make of all this? I want to offer two thoughts. First, Scripture makes it clear that anything stated by a true prophet of God will indeed come true. If it does not come to pass, then we are not to fear (or respect) such a prophet. In Deuteronomy 18:22, we read, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” We have seen these predictions before from Harold Camping and others. They claim to speak for the Lord with incontrovertible proof that God has revealed to them his plans. They have all been wrong about the end of the world. Camping lost credibility when his previous predictions failed, and Scripture clearly states that we are not to fear him. In fact, other so-called prophets in Scripture subsequently received the moniker “false prophet.” I believe the same holds true here.

Second, Jesus made it perfectly clear that no one knows the day or time of his return. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, not the Son, but the Father alone.” Earlier in that same discussion with his disciples, Jesus warns them against false prophets who will attempt to lead them astray (Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 23-26). Harold Camping claims to know what Jesus himself claims not to know. This is dangerous territory—territory that I will avoid at all costs.

What should we do then? I believe we should heed the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:14 when he says, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Let’s proclaim the gospel message to the ends of the earth, not for the purpose of ushering in the end of the world, but because we have been commissioned to do so (Matthew 28:19-20).

If God wills, I plan to teach my class at church on May 22. We’ll be starting a new series on the life of Christ. We do not know what our lives will be like tomorrow for we are just a vapor (James 4:14-15). However, we do not fear the prophets who claim to speak for God yet do not exhibit the biblical evidence of being prophets. If the end of the world comes tomorrow, it has nothing to do with Camping’s “prophecy.” My guess is that we will be exercising this speculation again as we approach December 21, 2012—the supposed end of the Mayan calendar.

On the Death of a Terrorist

~ Evan Lenow ~ 5 Comments

On the evening of May 1, 2011, the President of the United States announced the death of one of the world’s most infamous terrorists, Osama bin Laden. Almost immediately after President Obama’s official announcement, spontaneous celebrations broke out in front of the White House, at Ground Zero, and around the country. News of such celebrations left me a little hollow. I certainly want to rejoice that the face of terrorism is no longer able to devise wicked schemes for destroying other lives, but I am also saddened by the fact that a soul now has found his eternal destiny separated from God.

On the news this morning, I watched an interview with the mother of one of the victims on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers rushed the cockpit. She had a balanced view concerning Bin Laden’s death. She said it was a bittersweet moment because justice had been served but it also served as a reminder of the tragedies of that day nearly ten years ago.

Twitter also lit up with news and reaction about Bin Laden’s death. Most of the tweets related joy, happiness, and satisfaction in the terrorist’s death. Some noted congratulatory sentiments to Presidents Obama and Bush. Others cheered the efforts of the Navy SEALS who carried out the plan to attack Bin Laden’s compound.

Finally, the crowd at the nationally-televised baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies began chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A” as the news of the announcement spread via social media, text messages, and emails.

So, what is the proper biblical reaction to the death of a terrorist? How should we feel? Should we join the crowds and rejoice in the streets? Should we cry over a soul eternally condemned to hell? Should we feel justified in a country that diligently pursued a perpetrator and administered justice? I want to provide three thoughts for consideration as we reflect upon the death of a terrorist.

First, we can know that justice was administered by a properly established authority. There is no doubt that President George W. Bush struggled with the decision to wage a “War on Terror” after the devastation of September 11, 2001. Just as Presidents before him had carried the burden of placing the lives of their military in harm’s way to enact justice, President Bush had to bear such a burden. No one probably thought that such a war would continue for ten years before the mastermind of the attacks was captured or killed, but that is what happened. In my recent readings on just war theory, I was reminded of one of the first principles of jus ad bellum (just principles for going to war). The principle of legitimate authority requires that war be waged only by those that have the legitimate authority to do so. Historically, this has been interpreted to mean sovereign governments over nation states. Thus, the United States of America in her sovereign authority waged war in order to administer justice for evils perpetrated against her people.

In Romans 13:1-4. Paul describes the role of the government in administering justice. He writes:

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Note the final line of the quotation (v. 4). The governing authority “is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” From a biblical standpoint, we can rest assured that the American government has fulfilled its God-given duty in bringing wrath on one who practices evil.

Second, we can lament that a life has been taken. But you may protest, “Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of thousands, why should we lament the death of such a wicked man?” We lament because that is what God does. In Ezekiel 33:11, God tells Ezekiel, “‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways!’” God does not rejoice when life is taken, especially when those who have no concern for the truth of God are killed. Even when we see God taking the lives of those who have turned from him (e.g., Nadab and Abihu in Lev 10:1-7), we do not see rejoicing from God. It is solemn and terrifying that life is squelched for the sake of justice.

The more disheartening thing about it is the warranted assumption that Bin Laden’s eternal destiny in hell has been sealed. Of course, we do not know his heart nor the possibility of a last minute conversion to faith in Christ; however, it seems safe to assume that Bin Laden never placed his faith in Christ as his personal Savior. His actions did not give evidence of a life that has been surrendered to God. In 1 John, the apostle gives us a few thoughts concerning our actions that give evidence to our spiritual lives. In 1 John 1:6, we see, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” In 1 John 2:11, the apostle tells us, “But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” Finally, in 1 John 5:12, we read, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” Based on Bin Laden’s actions and his murderous background, we have warrant to assume that his life was characterized by darkness rather than the light of a relationship with Christ. Thus, his eternal destiny would be separation from God in hell.

Finally, we should use this occasion as an opportunity to remember that sin has a drastic impact on our world. From the days of Genesis 3 onward, we have battled the effects of sin on a personal and global level. It is easy to point a finger at Bin Laden and say, “He was evil!” It is much harder to point a finger at ourselves and say, “I am evil!” However, that is exactly what the Bible tells us about ourselves. In Romans 3:9-12, we read:

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.’

Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. Christ sacrificed his own life for us and paid the penalty for our sin. As we see later in Romans 10:9-13, Paul states:

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the lord will be saved.’

Though sin has brought evil and death to us and our world, Christ has overcome evil through his death, burial, and resurrection. May the people of the world see the death of a terrorist and be reminded of their own impending deaths. As a result, I pray that they would turn to Christ with childlike faith and trust in him for their eternal destiny.

Does ‘Mother Earth’ Have Human Rights?

~ Evan Lenow

According to a Fox News report,[1] delegates to the United Nations are debating today whether or not to extend human rights to “Mother Earth.” Bolivian President Evo Morales has led the charge to get this item on the agenda for the General Assembly of the UN. The official UN agenda[2] lists today’s discussion as “Interactive Dialogue on ‘Harmony with Nature.’” Fox News states that the goal is “to discuss the creation of a U.N. treaty that would grant the same rights found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Mother Nature.”

The first question is whether or not “Mother Earth” has human rights. From a strictly literal standpoint, the only answer to this question is “no” because the earth is not human. It is a logical fallacy to ascribe human rights to the environment because it is by definition not human. However, that is not the only question. We also have to consider what the UN intends to do for “Mother Earth” that it is unwilling to do for humans. The news report notes, “Treaty supporters want the establishment of legal systems to maintain balance between human rights and what they perceive as the inalienable rights of other members of the Earth community—plants, animals, and terrain.” If these inalienable rights are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, then the United Nations will have to provide some interesting definitions. If plants and animals have an inalienable right to life, then why does the UN support abortion? If plants and animals have an inalienable right to life, then what do they serve in the cafeteria at the UN headquarters in New York? If “Mother Earth” has a right to happiness, how is happiness defined for the environment? If plants have a right to liberty, where should humans build their homes and communities?

An even bigger question related to this event concerns the other pressing issues in the world. Why is the UN debating human rights for “Mother Earth” when human rights for humans are being openly violated in countries around the world? While multiple countries are at war with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, and much of the Middle East is in turmoil with political rebellion and upheaval, does it not seem more important for the United Nations to address human issues among its member nations?

Fox News suggests that there is a bigger issue at stake in this discussion—an effort to overturn capitalism. They report:

Communities and environmental activists would be given more legal power to monitor and control industries and development to ensure harmony between humans and nature. Though the United States and other Western governments are supportive of sustainable development, some see the upcoming event, “Harmony with Nature,” as political grandstanding—an attempt to blame environmental degradation and climate change on capitalism.

In addition, the report states that President Morales has a desire to see the end of capitalism. The report notes:

Emboldened by this triumph, Morales’ goal is to emulate his domestic achievement as a U.N. treaty. In a 2008 address to a U.N. forum on indigenous people, he said the first step in saving the Earth is to “eradicate capitalism” and to force wealthy industrialized countries to “pay their environmental debt.” Morales presented 10 points, or Evo’s Ten Commandments, as they are affectionately called by devotees, to save the planet. Among them is a call to end the capitalist system, and a world without imperialism or colonialism. Respect for Mother Earth is Commandment 6.

In the 10 minutes or so that I listened to some of the discussion, it was pretty easy to confirm this idea. One panelist commented, “The dominant economic system does not correspond to reality.” Others made comments about the evil nature of the U.S. economic system. Therefore, while Fox News may sometimes be guilty of spinning their news stories to a conservative angle, it appears to be justified in this instance.

The final question to be raised regarding this issue is whether or not the United Nations is actually a legitimate governmental authority qualified to enact such human rights treaties. Yes, the United States and other countries all over the world joined the UN by treaty to work as an oversight body to avoid the catastrophes of the two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century. However, does the UN able to exercise the power to grant rights to nature? Does the United Nations serve as the governing authority over creation? I dare say the answer is a resounding “NO!”

The only One with the power to grant rights to the creation is the Creator. We read in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Fast forward a couple of millennia, and Paul states in Colossians 1:16, “For by Him [Jesus] all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

From Genesis 1–2, we see that God gave dominion over the earth—plants, animals, etc—to humans and that God told Adam to cultivate and keep the ground. By this, I do not believe that God was advocating a “scorched earth” view of environmental management. Just as in everything else, we are stewards of the earth to use it for our benefit and God’s glory. The earth does not have rights over humans because it was not made in the image of God. At the same time, we are to view the earth as a resource to be cultivated AND kept. I say to the United Nations, deal with problems you actually have authority to address—if you actually have any authority—and leave the earth to God.

Super Bowl Trafficking of a Different Kind

~ Evan Lenow

Super Bowl week is in full swing here in North Texas. ESPN is broadcasting live from Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. Kids of all ages are enjoying the NFL Experience at the Dallas Convention Center. Cowboys Stadium has been sold out for what many believe will be the most highly attended Super Bowl in history. The traffic around North Texas is going to be terrible for the next week. But there is another kind of trafficking that is taking place as well.

This past Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on the issue of sex trafficking. Each year sex traffickers enslave 100,000 to 300,000 young girls and boys in forced prostitution. Within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, 250 boys and girls are bought and sold each month. Now that Super Bowl week is here in North Texas, that number is expected to increase exponentially. It is estimated that 12,000 minors will be transported to the metroplex and forced into prostitution during the days and weeks surrounding the big game.

For many people, the idea of sex trafficking seems foreign—in more ways than one. It is not common dinner conversation at the local restaurant to consider the implications of this horrendous crime. In addition, many Americans consider it to be a foreign problem happening in third world countries on the other side of the globe. Unfortunately, this sex trafficking is occurring right in front of us, and we may not even recognize it.

During the panel discussion last week, our eyes were opened to the devastating practice of domestic sex trafficking in the United States. The point of the discussion was to raise awareness among our students and hopefully to generate some constructive responses for how our churches can respond to this issue.

A local resource in the DFW area dealing with this issue is Traffick911, a non-profit organization seeking to raise awareness and provide a means of escape for those caught in this industry. They have been working on a campaign called, “I’m Not Buying It,” and have enlisted the help of local and national celebrities, including Dallas Cowboys NT Jay Ratliff, former New England Patriot Kevin Wyman, and Christian recording artist Natalie Grant. You can check out their public service announcements and other resources on their website at www.traffick911.com.

You can find other resources on this issue at www.losethechains.com, and you can read an article about the panel discussion here. Take a few minutes to look at these resources and see how you can make a difference to stop this practice.

The Blight of Abortion in America

~ Evan Lenow ~ 2 Comments

Today is the 38th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that opened the door for legalized abortion in the United States. It is one of the few Supreme Court decisions that most Americans know by name. While many of the more famous decisions represent crucial moments in American history for the rights of the oppressed (Brown v. Board of Education, etc.), Roe v. Wade stands as a blight on American history for the resulting carnage of the abortion industry since January 22, 1973.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 22% of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. Eighteen percent of women who have abortions are teenagers, and more than half are in their twenties. Between 1973 and 2008 (the most recent year for reported statistics), 50 million legal abortions have taken place. In 2008 alone, there were 1.21 million abortions.[1]

The Guttmacher Institute also reports some of the reasons for abortion, stating:

The reasons women give for having an abortion underscore their understanding of the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. Three-fourths of women cite concern for or responsibility to other individuals; three-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.[2]

The number of abortions in the United States is staggering—50 million in 38 years. These are 50 million lives that were ended. These were 50 million individual persons whose opportunity to develop, live, and thrive was taken from them all in the name of a right to privacy. Since when did my right to privacy allow me to take someone else’s life? These are precious little lives that have been exterminated, and our society has chosen to make it legal.

On this anniversary of a terrible day in American history, consider the following verses. Jeremiah 1:5 states, “Before I (A)formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” In Psalm 139:15-16, David writes, “My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

I hope and pray for the day that abortion will no longer be legal and people will see the value of these little lives in the womb.