[quote] So my question is again...what is the plan for the future according to Christians? [/quote]
Answer: My plan for the future is God’s plan for the future.
If one desires to understand Christian thinking about such a weighty matter then I suppose it will require getting down to some basics about Christian beliefs.
First one needs to determine who is in control of the future of planet earth. Is it you, is it me, is it the combined population of humans who presently live upon the face of the earth?
The majority of Christians believe and accept fully that God IS the one in control of the future of planet earth.
The one we Christians follow told us how we should structure even our most basic prayer. He said “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
I know, mankind wants to believe that HE is the one in control. That WE humans have the first and last word in any decision to be made that will affect our collective future, but that’s not what Jesus told us was the truth.
By virtue of our own free will we may be able to alter our individual future but God has the final word when it comes to the future of the world in general.
Some men believe that God created all that exists, set it into motion and then washed his hands of the whole matter so far as the eventual outcome was concerned. But that’s not what we Christians believe and you did pose your question to Christians.
Jesus also said that those who follow him are “in the world” but “not OF the world.” Those are some very deep words. I wonder if we yet understand fully the implications of them?
Jesus told the Roman Governor who was threatening to put him to death that the only reason he had such authority was because his Father deemed that it should be so. So yes! God is in control of even that aspect of the destiny of the world. I know, it’s hard for some Christians to accept that God had anything to do with putting some of the people into positions of authority and power that have existed down through recorded history, but Jesus said it and I believe it. Some people don’t appreciate the fact that George W. Bush was elected President of The United States but God permitted it to happen or it wouldn’t be so. All I can do as a Christian is accept that its all part of God’s plan and pray for him as he exercises the authority given him.
You said: [quote] If we have to radically change the economic system in order to save ourselves...explain.[/quote]
WE (mankind) has tried many ways and methods to save himself. According to your own words, it doesn’t seem to be working very well, so perhaps we should try doing this next. There are many WAYS that seem right to the minds of men but so far it appears that those ways are leading us to destruction.
You said: it doesn’t look very good; does it? You made that statement with reference to what we Christians believe is the fate of this world.
You are CORRECT! It doesn’t look very good.
Since most Christians believe what the Bible has to say about the future, how can you expect us to believe anything else? It plainly states that the circumstances we find ourselves in WILL wax worse and worse. We are told that unless God intervenes, mankind WILL destroy himself. That is where our hope lies. I believe the Bible tells us that God WILL intervene before that happens.
We Christians ARE concerned about the future; even eternity and that’s a lot of future. Why is it so wrong for us to be more concerned with souls rather than the planet? Souls are eternal…..this planet may not be.
Still, that doesn’t mean that I am not concerned with the environment. It’s more like it just doesn’t happen to be my GREATEST concern. God gave man dominion over many things upon this earth and so along with that dominion comes responsibility. I personally do not take that responsibility lightly. I’m not going to make you a list of all the things I do personally in an attempt to stem the negative affects of my earthly presence here on this planet but I honestly do believe I am doing as much as I can in that respect. You will just have to take my word for it.
Would I lie to you?
Sincerely
Clarence