It’s a good thing I don’t lean towards apocalypticism or this week’s
#Focus for Year 2 of
#EfM would totally send me over the edge (probably good that I’m not a flat-earther, either). My description of the cultural context in which the New Testament was written is: a ruler appointed by conquerors & a few institutions preserving native rule overseeing gross income inequalities with strong expectations of benefaction & obligation where “honor” is a pivotal social value & “shame” is to be avoided at all costs. Only the long-standing tradition of prophets railing against injustice & the vagaries/malfeasance of the powerful offer any hope at all. The problem is: that description sounds very much like our current cultural context but without the tradition of prophets. Those we don’t recognize, let alone listen to, anymore. If we did, I’d be hard-pressed to think we weren’t on the brink of the last days. Instead, I find myself praying we can still correct the path we’re on
#beforeitstoolate