Spending just a few minutes each day reading the Bible, with the help of a plan and some notes, makes the it easier to understand.
Fundamentalism
Everyone is aware that the blame for recent acts of terrorism across the world has been placed at the door of a small number of Islamic fundamentalists. Their actions and attitudes has been regularly grabbing the headlines since the start of this century and is at the root of the current ‘war on terrorism’ that is killing thousands of innocent people, of all religious persuasions, right across the world. The detrimental effect on world politics and world peace has been profound and totally unexpected.
But as a BBC documentary showed all too clearly, Islamic fundamentalism is not the only threat to world peace and security. Some fundamentalist Christians also have a ‘hidden political agenda’ that is influencing some of the world’s most powerful politicians and providing the basis for many of their actions and policies that are just as damaging to world order. Based on a misunderstanding of the purpose of Bible prophecy and the true nature of Christian duty, the original ‘fundamental’ Christian teachings are being used to justify a violent and damaging political agenda.
According to the BBC, American Christian fundamentalists are among those who are convinced that the second coming of Christ is at hand. They have developed an end-time scenario of genocidal battles based on prophecies contained in the last book of the Bible, Revelation. In their view, Christ cannot return unless the Jews are in possession of the Holy Land. Before the End, the faithful will be “raptured” or snatched up into the air in order to avoid the Tribulation. "Antichrist" (the United Nations?) will massacre Jews who are not baptized; but Christ will defeat the “enemy from the north” and establish a millennium of peace.
"Christian teachings are being used to justify a violent and damaging political agenda"
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A misunderstanding
This Biblical interpretation is simply a misunderstanding, an unfortunate mixture of truth and error, the result of which is unfortunate for anyone wanting to know God's real plans for this world in the future. As the BBC documentary uncovered, the danger of this interpretation of scripture comes from the fact that those who accept its complete accuracy often try to bring about its fulfillment by political means.
This viewpoint, developed in the late 19th century, was part of a reaction to the “social gospel” of the more liberal Christians, who believed that human beings were naturally evolving towards perfection and could build the New Jerusalem here on earth by fighting social injustice. The fundamentalists, however, believed that God was angry with the faithless world that he could save only by a humiliating catastrophe. Some of them lived to see the terrible battles of the first world war and saw this as proof that their understanding of Biblical prophecy was coming true. For them it showed that science could be used to lethal effect in the new military technology and was the beginning of the End.
More recently, this distorted interpretation of ‘End Time’ Biblical prophecies has caused many American politicians to persistently ignore scientists warning of global warming. Why bother to implement the Kyoto treaty if the world is about to end? Indeed, some Christian fundamentalists see environmental damage as a positive development, because it will hasten the apocalypse.
The problem is that this form of Christian fundamentalism is based on a perverted understanding of how God works. God has certainly always used kings, politicians and whole nations to further his purpose, often without them knowing it. But he has not called present-day Christians to take attitudes and actions that are detrimental to world order and human life, with the excuse that they are furthering God’s declared purpose. Such a ‘fundamentalist’ interpretation of the Bible is, at best, irresponsible; at worst it encourages actions that are directly opposed to God’s will. This is not far short of earning the title ‘fundamentalist Christian terrorism’ and is something no self-respecting Christian should ever risk doing.
A fundamental duty
It is certainly a fundamental Christian duty to “love your neighbour as yourself”. That love can take many different forms, including careful respect for the environment in which we all live. But it also obliges all true Christians to stand aside from world politics, not through irresponsibility or lack of interest in world affairs, but in order to avoid the risk of working in opposition to God’s plan and purpose.
"The End Time remains totally in God's control"
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There is no doubt that this world has to change. Christian fundamentalists, in America and elsewhere, are right to say that the existence of the State of Israel is a clear indication that the ‘End Time’ is near. But while prophecies declaring that “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Habakkuk 2v14) remain unfulfilled, it is clear that God’s plan is not finished. However, taking action to try and bring the End closer is not a Christian duty: it distorts the fundamental Christian beliefs taught by Christ himself. The End Time remains totally in God’s control, governed by his will, not ours.
The End Time is certainly coming and will happen sooner than most people think. It will certainly involve “a time of trouble, such as never was…men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth” (Daniel 12v1; Luke 21v26). But Christians are told not to worry – and certainly not to take action to bring these troubled time about. Rather are we told that “when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your hearts for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Then, and only then, will all the ills of this world be swept aside and replaced by God’s Kingdom on this earth, that has been promised through his prophets for thousands of years since the Bible was written.
So, true ‘Christian fundamentalism’ actually has a very positive and welcome message!! It is a commendable act of faith on the part of every true Christian to wait patiently for Christ’s coming, using prayer alone to hasten his coming.