“How Should We Then Live?” was a book and film series by the Swiss philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, which I recall reading/viewing at church on Sunday evenings when I was in high school. This was my slippery-slope into a lifetime of interest in philosophy, religion, questioning authority, and anti-establishment iconoclastic challenging of the idols in our faith (and secular) traditions.
In my first year of college, at Seattle Pacific University (affiliated with the Methodist church), my philosophy essay was on “How God Created Evil”. That did not go down well with the professor. I then wrote about the 18th-century Irish philosopher George Berkeley, arguing that if all existed in the mind of God, then we are one of many universes of existence, questioning whether dreams and hallucinations were portals into other existences (I had not come across sci-fi descriptions of black holes and worm holes). I was two strikes down according to my professor.
Obviously 40 plus cycles of the seasons have progressed, and I have continued on the quest of understanding. I am quite comfortable acknowledging that for all that I have read, I am mostly aware of what I don’t know. I’m good with a bit of mystery and mysticism in life too.
That brings us back to Bible interpretation. One concept that is prominent in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures is “prophecy”. However, especially as English translates the Hebrew and Greek words into one English word, there are two different ideas about prophecy.
The word in Greek connotes “foretelling”. For Greeks (and Romans), oracles “prophesied” future events through ambiguous proclamations. Usually some leader came to the oracle with a question and heard what he wanted to hear (or not). This tradition carries on in our culture with psychic readings, Tarot cards, and horoscopes, and most news analysis with claims to predict what people will do and events will happen.
Rather, in the Hebrew scriptures, the word is “forth-telling”, or calling out the leaders and people for their folly. Projection of what would happen is usually the potential consequences of those errant actions. Turn away from the Lord and you will get over run by a warring neighbor nation, or hauled off to a foreign land, or the temple sacked, etc. Tear down your idols, repent, and resume caring for your neighbors and the land, and you will prosper.
The emphasis was more on pointing out the errors of our ways.
Where are our Jeremiahs, “They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.” (2:5); and Hosea’s, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.” (7:6); and Joel’s, “Surely the joy of people is withered away.” (1:12)?
How Should We Then Live?
“The Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” – Amos 3:8.
Oscar Larson
Baker, W.Va.
