Discussing
Human extinction and Christian eschatology

Nice job leading us through the extinction quagmire, Branson. And on top of your thoughts, I'd add that Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus sustains all things, and since he's God I don't have any doubt that he can sustain his creation despite what we his creatures do to it. The New Heavens and the New Earth will ultimately be the fruition of that, won't they?

Cheers,
Tim

I would think that Jeremiah's mocking of "the Temple! the Temple! the Temple!" would be caution enough. If we take this world seriously, then there can be no get out of jail card when it comes to possible extinction.

The Gospel gives the reason to act in hope, but it cannot guarantee the creational outcome, neither in my life, nor in the context of this world we have been given as stewards.

William, I actually had that Jeremiah reference you mention in my first draft of this piece. I think it's a great example of the fact that God's grace and covenant must not be treated as talismans that allow us to do whatever we want. In fact, the covenant curses are as much a part of the covenant as are the blessings.

What are the covenant curses under the New Covenant?

Tim,
Good question. I was thinking primarily of the covenant curses in Deuteronomy. However, the New Testament also makes it abundantly clear that if we treat grace as cheap grace, then it's a sign we may not truly be grafted into Christ at all. (I'm thinking of 1 Cor. 10, Rom. 11:17-24; 1 John 2:19) God's grace is manifest in Christ; if we show ourselves not to be part of Christ, then we will bear the curse, i.e., death and judgment.

Amen. Indeed Branson. I am also thinking of multiple examples where Paul is clear that those who are not obedient to the faith will not recieve a reward for their works.