Today I offer an article by guest author Kevin Birdwell. *** Editors Sandra Dimas and Amanda Warner sat down with climatologist and RTB visiting scholar Kevin Birdwell to get a scientist’s perspective on Hollywood disaster films. Let’s start with somewhat recent films about massive earthquakes: 2012 and San Andreas. In 2012, Los Angeles experiences a 10.9 magnitude earthquake caused by…
Like many people, I have been paying careful attention to the religious and political events transpiring in the Middle East for the past several years. As a student of Islam, I am very interested in this religion’s relationship to radical ideologies that foment violence and terrorism. But today I have a question. How many wars or conflicts or political tensions…
I like my eschatology the way I like my fireworks—safe and sane. — Kenneth Samples, “Lecture on End Times”
In January, I had the opportunity to discuss the always popular, frequently controversial topic of the end times on Issues, Etc. with host Todd Wilken, a Lutheran pastor and theologian. Our discussion lasted over an hour and included time for listener questions. This interview about Christian eschatology teaching is likely different from what you’re used to hearing among many evangelicals.…
I have always said that the last topic I would choose to write about was the last days of the world. Well, since I’ve gone and done it we must be at the end. Pretty clever, huh? My new book on eschatology (study of end times), entitled Christian Endgame: Careful Thinking about the End Times, is due for release by…
I strive to encourage Christians to think carefully and critically about their faith, not only through Reflections but also through two RTB podcasts. On one podcast, Straight Thinking, I lead my colleagues in discussions of important issues in light of the Christian worldview. On the other, I Didn’t Know That!, RTB scholars offer unscripted answers to listener questions. This month’s…
I strive to encourage Christians to think carefully and critically about their faith not only through Reflections but also through two RTB podcasts: Straight Thinking (I lead my colleagues in discussions of important issues in light of the Christian worldview) and I Didn’t Know That! (RTB scholars offer unscripted answers to listener questions). In case you missed them, check out…
Harold Camping’s latest false prediction concerning the end of the world once again illustrates how important it is that Christians think carefully and critically about controversial issues like Bible prophecy. Below is an article I wrote about the challenging and often speculative field of Christian eschatology. (This article is part 7 of a 12-part series on eschatology; all 12 posts…
How does the follower of Christ appropriately balance present things with future things? In part 8 of this series I explored the historic Christian eschatological principle known as “already, but not yet.” This enigmatic expression conveys that while Christ’s kingdom has “already” been inaugurated by his first coming (John 1:14), it has “not yet” been fully consummated. This final stage…
How can a Christian think about eschatology (the study of “last things”) in a careful and intellectually responsible manner? Let me offer three suggestions for believers to carefully consider when approaching the controversial theological topic of the “end times.”
Reflections 