What if he doesn’t come? (When He Comes 8)

“I’ll be back.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger uttered this famous line many times in his various movies. As the hero of Terminator 2, though, he offered it as a promise to John and Sarah Connor—a promise that though he’s going to be gone for a while, he will return and rescue them from their predicament. Believing the promise, John and Sarah hunker down in a smoke-filled elevator, waiting for the hero to return with the promised salvation.

Isn’t that how it always works with heroes? Somebody’s in danger, the situation is dire, and the hero needs to be gone for a while. But don’t worry, he’ll be right back. And when he comes, everything will be just fine.

That’s reassuring.

But, what if he doesn’t make it back?

Imagine that you’re Sarah Connor and Arnold has just stepped out of the elevator. “Oh, you’ll be back soon? That’s good because those guys with the guns look pretty unhappy. We’ll just hang out here and wait for you to get back.”

Now, suppose that thirty minutes have gone by and he still hasn’t returned. There was a lot of shooting at first, but everything’s been quiet for a while. You’re starting to get a little nervous. What’s taking him so long? If those guys with the guns come back, this could get messy.

Three hours later. Now you’re just angry. Where’s that stupid robot? The elevator is hot, uncomfortable, and John is really starting to get on your nerves.

After just one day, I’m guessing that you’d have lost all hope. He’s not coming back. Now you’re hungry, you smell, you still have angry guys with guns chasing you, and still no hero.

Bad robot.

It’s easy to lose faith when the promised one doesn’t return.

Just one day and your hope is gone. How would you do after several centuries? That’s how long God’s people have been waiting by the time we reach the beginning of the New Testament. Hundreds of years with nothing but promises to hold onto.

When he comes, everything will be fine. When he comes, God’s promises will be fulfilled. When he comes, shalom will be restored. When he comes….

But, what if he doesn’t come?

[Read the rest of the posts in this series on the Gospel Book page.]

Flotsam and jetsam (6/23)

• Jesus Creed has started a new review series on James Emery White’s Christ among the Dragons: Finding Our Way through Cultural Challenges. This could be interesting as a follow-up to our discussion of Hunter’s To Change the World.
• Stuart reports on a Pew poll indicating that more than 40% of Americans believe Jesus will return by 2050. I think every generation of Christians has been convinced that Jesus would return in their generation. Looked at positively, this could reflect the idea that we should live as those constantly prepared for Christ’s return. Looked at less positively, this is another expression of humanity’s basic self-centeredness.
• Phil Sumpter points out a new biblioblog, Ancient Hebrew Grammar. It looks like it could be a great resource.
• In case you somehow haven’t heard by now, they’ve discovered the oldest known images of Peter and Paul in a catacomb in Rome.
• Apparently some other seminaries thought Claremont’s decision to become an interreligious seminary was brilliant, so they’re going to do it too. And, I’m sure this is all about theological conviction. It has nothing to do with money.
• And, a group is now suing McDonald’s because the toys in the Happy Meals are making kids fat. Technically, they’re arguing that McDonald’s advertises the toys to kids, and the kids bug their parents until the parents take them to McDonald’s so that the kids can get fat. They should probably be suing the parents for not being able to say “no” (it’s a difficult word), but the parents don’t have anywhere near as much money.