World Without End

Where Justice and Eschatology collide: Part 4

Part of an eschatological faith is the knowledge of what will come in the future.  But another forgotten part is how the church lives out it’s promise and duty on earth.  This to is not best exemplified in childrens stories, but through a worshiping body at multiple tables.  It takes pulling the vision of heaven down and incorporating it in daily life.  While on earth, it means we look to find ways to encourage humanity.  If the end goal of God is to restore us to the fullest extent, combined with the knowledge of a saving faith, it is our duty to find ways to bring out humanity in those who need it most.  Holy love is not satisfied with a temporary solution, but strives towards thriving.  This is done out of love for the person and not an agenda of social practicality.

Ultimately, this is a love that doesn’t make sense.  The church should again confound society in the way that it loves.  1st Peter encourages the church to do so much good that no one can say anything wrong about them.  Mind-boggling hospitality only takes place when  people know where they are going when it is all finished.  We are the sacramental new community, serving as both the pattern and the way of grace.

Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

Where Justice and Eschatology collide: Part 3

We live in a world that needs for the church to see the radical hospitality that is believed in and lived out.  The hope for the future is what caused the church to have an open arm approach, and to love others because they were loved first. Barry Harvey writes “The mission of the church was not merely to communicate information about him to anyone who would listen, but to put the bodies of its members on the line between the two ages on behalf of him who live and died for the sake of the world.”.*

The church community lives in drastic contrast to the world, and creates a place where every member is not only cared for, but encouraged and allowed to thrive. This was the early church view, and they understood how to operate as the society of God while living in the society of man.  The goal of all hospitality is to have those in need flourish, not so they can contribute, but so they can live out their humanness.  Christ came as the perfect man to live the fullest human life that is possible.  In his death, he handed us over the ability to be completely human.  Our permanent dwelling is in the alternative city of God.

Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

Where Justice and Eschatology collide: Part 2

Yesterday I wrote briefly about God being hospitable to us first, so part of our response is offering ourselves to others.  Linking this to eschatology isn't that far of a step, linking how developing a theology where discussions regarding "The End" is necessary in current church culture.

What is the one primary thing about our faith that defines our actions?  What were we saved from and what are we saved too?  The promised relationship, existing between God and Man (Rev 21), is the eschatological vision that best defines heaven.  Hospitality is the subversive act of radical inclusion, especially in our society where the marginalized have become vilified.  By offering not just material things, but life together towards those who know no shared life, we participate in the redemptive action of God on this world.

Hospitality is part of the "chord of redemption" that God struck at the locking of Eden.  It is one of the ways that He has reached out to bring his people back.  We have a vision of the ultimate hospitality, of God inviting us into his throne room- that has been reconstructed in the magnificent vision of Revelation 21 and 22.

Where justice and eschatology collide

The events in Haiti over the last week and caused the entire Western World to focus on this tiny island nation.  Already sunked into poverty, despair is a key word in describing Haiti now.  Many Christians (except for Pat Robertson and other determinists) are hurrying to provide some sort of aid for the situation.

God had always been a hospitable being...in fact His grace is the utmost hospitable action in our universe.  God has taken us in, so we in turn have a duty to take others in.  The hospitality of God is part of His very being, one that shapes his creating, saving and sanctifying graces.

The Church and her focus on justice is part of our eschatological reality.  The future vision and proleptic view that is part of eschatology focuses around the larger biblical themes of hospitality, those of host, hope and restoration.  Radical hospitality is both the actions of God towards his people, and their response of care in this world and also their eschatological hope towards the world to come. 

These next few days will be a look into how justice, hospitality and eschatology relate to each other.

Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be