Bryan Lilly

So end of the world has come and went. Supposedly. If you’re reading this, then you know that Harold Camping’s prediction for the end of the world has failed. What do we do now?

Of course, there weren’t many Christians who agreed with Camping’s view that the rapture would take place on May 21st, and I was among them. In fact Camping’s whole view of the end-times is far different from my own. Many of us offered a few jokes about his declaration, including a few jabs I made myself. But now that we are on this side of the apocalypse, there are a few things to consider.

1. Though his followers were few, most of them left families, left their jobs, left their homes, and emptied their bank accounts. The reality for them is about to set in if it hasn’t already, and they are about to hit a new crisis. Rather than joke at their expense, Christians should be moved to pity for them and pray concerning what could amount to a very wrecked life. They share in the image of God, and thus have inherent value. We should mourn for anyone who is in crisis, while recognizing that they are accountable for their actions. Christians should pray for mercy for them, that their lives would not become more broken than they already are.

2. We should pray for Harold Camping. Those who are in a position of leadership, especially a position that teaches, are under a harsher judgment (James 3:1). Camping has led many astray, telling people to leave their churches and forsake the assembly (contra Hebrews 10:25) and in various other aspects of Biblical Christianity. While we do desire to seek justice done, let us pray that that justice falls on Christ for Camping, as it did for us Christians, rather than on his own head. If Camping refuses repentance, than he will be accountable, and justly so. But as it stands, Christ has not come back and there is time for such repentance. Let us pray to that end.

3. Remember, as the conversation continues, that whatever our view of the “rapture,” there is a day coming when Christ will return. On this day, one which no one can announce (Matthew 24:36), Christ will come to judge the living and the dead and bring justice to a broken world. He will restore creation and his people to the way things were supposed to be. It will not, perhaps (and in my view, probably), play out the way Camping says it will. But it is a day in which we are commanded to be ready (Matthew 24:42). We keep watch, not by draining our bank accounts and stock piling ammunition, but by living the regular rhythms of the Christian life—loving God and loving others, living out the implications of the gospel, helping the poor and oppressed, and calling for justice. We live expectantly, publicly, engaged, and regularly. CNN quoted one environmentalist as saying rather than worry about being raptured, we should instead “plant a tree.” The same advice Martin Luther once gave when asked what he would do if he knew Jesus was returning the next day. If I had to guess, I would say that their motivation were widely different—but, at least in this regard, she is “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:34). 

(HT to @BJHewitt for reminding me of my obvious omission of the first half of point #3)

Books

Begbie, Jeremy. “The Future: Looking to the Future: A Hopeful Subversion,” in For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts, ed. W. David O. Taylor, 165-185. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2010.

Dawn, Marva. Reaching out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

Dearborn, Tim. Taste and See: Awakening our Spiritual Senses. Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 1996.

Deitering, Carolyn. Actions, Gestures, & Bodily Attitudes. Saratoga, CA: Resource Publications, inc., 1980.

Hoekema, Anthony A. Created in God’s Image, Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994.

Polycarp. The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martydom of the Holy Polycarp. Translated by A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, and A. Coxe. Accordance Electronic ed. Ante Nicene Fathers, vol. 1. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1885.

Prokes, Mary Timothy. Toward a Theology of the Body. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.

Ross, Allen P. Recalling the Hope of Glory: Biblical Worship from the Garden to the New Creation. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006.

Sproul, R. C. A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity. Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust, 2006.

Stake, Donald Wilson. The ABCs of Worship: A Concise Dictionary. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.

Temple, William. Readings in St. John’s Gospel. Wilton: Morehouse Barlow, 1985.

Uzukwu, Elochukwu E. Worship as Body Language: Introduction to Christian Worship: An African Orientation. Collegeville: MN, The Liturgical Press, 1997.

Wittmer, Mike Heaven is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. New York: Harper One, 2008.

Articles

Piper, John. “The Triumph of the Gospel in the New Heavens and the New Earth.” Desiring God, May 2007 [on-line]. Accessed 15 April 2011. Available from: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-triumph-of-the-gospel-in-the-new-heavens-and-the-new-earth.

Wilson, Doug.“Ask Doug: The Use of Incense in Worship.” Canon Wired [on-line]. Accessed 7 February 2011. Available from: http://www.canonwired.com/ask-doug/incense-in-worship/

I’m turning in my paper on worship the body tomorrow and thought I would take an informal poll. 

Question 1. How important do you think the physical body is to worship?

Question 2. What are some ways that a worship service can engage the five senses (taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell)?