On “do it twice” - interesting to note that the US Constitution is the second attempt after the Articles of Confederation failed. My only problem with the idea of re-doing constitutions in our day is the “our day” part. I 100% expect our generation would make things much worse than they currently are. Our generation values safety and handouts over freedom and has lost sight of virtue, while our political leaders are less educated in political theory with more disagreement on foundational concepts of what government is for.
Not yet end times. But the take-home message of the Book of Revelation as I read it is to not despair as society declines, but to know that things get better again and Good wins. I do see the West in decline today. Things are great in many ways, but the foundations are cracking. I would have us hold on to what we have that is good for as long as possible (that’s my definition of a Golden Age), waiting out the decline until we see improvement again. When that time comes it will be even more glorious than the West at its finest.
Exactly. Rome had to fall to get rid of the baggage and allow something better to take its place. Our civilization is the best there ever was, but has picked up a ton of excess baggage that now weigh it down, preventing much further progress and propelling it toward decline. Something even better awaits, but can’t emerge until after the baggage is discarded (usually some sort of catastrophe is required).
Yes and no. Something better awaits, yes, but I wouldn’t say the Church is picking up baggage. On baggage: 1. the church is a hierarchical organization led by a single (old) leader. This helps it resist the passing fads of the broader society. 2. Yes, divine prophetic revelation. As I see it, the Church is, if anything, being refined over time rather than building up baggage.
But something better awaits! The Church is led by inspiration, but consists of imperfect men and women. In the Millennium, if prophecies are understood correctly, Christ himself will be spiritual leader and king. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but we can look forward to something better than the Church as it exists today.
That’s a pessimistic viewpoint but it’s also reasonable. Can you see a way that things will eventually get better? Will things have to get worse before they get better? Or are we near End Times? :)
On “do it twice” - interesting to note that the US Constitution is the second attempt after the Articles of Confederation failed. My only problem with the idea of re-doing constitutions in our day is the “our day” part. I 100% expect our generation would make things much worse than they currently are. Our generation values safety and handouts over freedom and has lost sight of virtue, while our political leaders are less educated in political theory with more disagreement on foundational concepts of what government is for.
Not yet end times. But the take-home message of the Book of Revelation as I read it is to not despair as society declines, but to know that things get better again and Good wins. I do see the West in decline today. Things are great in many ways, but the foundations are cracking. I would have us hold on to what we have that is good for as long as possible (that’s my definition of a Golden Age), waiting out the decline until we see improvement again. When that time comes it will be even more glorious than the West at its finest.
Some foundations are cracking and others are improving. Christianity must crack some in order for it to improve and morph into something better. No?
Exactly. Rome had to fall to get rid of the baggage and allow something better to take its place. Our civilization is the best there ever was, but has picked up a ton of excess baggage that now weigh it down, preventing much further progress and propelling it toward decline. Something even better awaits, but can’t emerge until after the baggage is discarded (usually some sort of catastrophe is required).
Does the same idea apply to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? If not, why?
Yes and no. Something better awaits, yes, but I wouldn’t say the Church is picking up baggage. On baggage: 1. the church is a hierarchical organization led by a single (old) leader. This helps it resist the passing fads of the broader society. 2. Yes, divine prophetic revelation. As I see it, the Church is, if anything, being refined over time rather than building up baggage.
But something better awaits! The Church is led by inspiration, but consists of imperfect men and women. In the Millennium, if prophecies are understood correctly, Christ himself will be spiritual leader and king. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but we can look forward to something better than the Church as it exists today.
Why doesn’t the church pick up baggage but the surrounding culture does?
That’s a pessimistic viewpoint but it’s also reasonable. Can you see a way that things will eventually get better? Will things have to get worse before they get better? Or are we near End Times? :)