Y2K: A biblical response

Chris Douglas

There's a lot of speculation and confusion when it comes to the new millennium and Y2K. There has been a lot of discussion, there has been a lot of media coverage, a number of books have been written, and a lot of concern has been raised.

In case, throughout all of this, you haven't heard, Y2K represents a potential problem with our computers. The short version is that computers may not recognize the year 2000. Rather than reading the year 2000, they may instead read the date as 1900. In that case, they could possibly shut down and not function. This is potentially a serious problem for banks, financial institutions, power companies, water companies, air traffic controllers, phone companies—any company that uses computers.

All of it could be a problem, or it could be nothing at all. The experts just don't know.

What should the Christian response be to this potential problem?

Many of the questions we have in life can be answered right out of the Bible. In II Thessalonians 2, the apostle Paul gives us a solid, biblical response to this question. This passage deals with the end times, but it also gives us a beautiful outline as to how we as Christians can respond to the Y2K dilemma.

I think the argument can be made that in this passage Paul isn't so much interested in giving the Thessalonians end-time prophecy as he is in exhorting them and us to stand fast and cling to the truth of God's Word. Although there is much prophetic material in this passage, the emphasis is still pastoral—on how to maintain a healthy church with sound obedience to the truth.

Paul's instruction to the Thessalonians may be summarized under three headings:

The Thessalonians had become unsettled by false prophecies, reports and letters saying that the Lord had already come. In fact, they were quite alarmed. There was a need for an authentic word from Paul assuring them that things were alright. They needed to know that the time of the Lord had not yet come. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians not to allow themselves to become unsettled by the false reports.

As pertains to Y2K, the church and society today also need to hear a reassuring voice. As a pastor, I want to focus God's people on the person of Jesus Christ. Now is the time to reassure people of the promises God has given us, the reminders that He will never leave nor forsake us, the calm assurances that God is in control. As pastors, we need to point our people back to Jesus, minimize the speculation and give our people hope.

Regardless on your views of eschatology, it is obvious that Paul was trying to put an end to speculation. He was eliminating the immediate concern that the Thessalonians had by assuring them that they had not missed the return of Jesus. But Paul was also giving them some warnings about what would precede the arrival of the man of lawlessness. He was giving them as much information as he had, in the hope that they would be prepared.

We have the same opportunity to prepare the people in our congregations. First, we can reiterate a clear understanding of Christian doctrine. Second, we can identify potential areas of concern centred around Y2K. Third, we can organize and strategize.

At Central Heights Church we have put together an Emergency Response Team. We see this as something bigger than Y2K. Right now, the team is in the process of putting together a specific plan to deal with a catastrophe of just about any kind—an earthquake, flooding, a snowstorm or the eruption of nearby Mount Baker. It is our hope to be able to help in the event of any disaster, not just Y2K. Furthermore, we see this as an opportunity to be a witness and to demonstrate Christlike love. If nothing happens, great. If something does happen, then we will be there with a helping hand.

We have divided our Emergency Response Team into nine subcommittees:

1. Church Facilities Preparedness,

2. Spiritual Preparedness (including teaching, counselling, prayer and fasting)

3. Personal Preparedness (helping individual church members learn how to store food, etc.)

4. Christian Family Preparedness (coordinating efforts with other churches, the MB Conference, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, etc.)

5. Community Preparedness (running outreach programs and offering courses on Y2K to the community)

6. Political Preparedness (coordinating efforts with governments and their agencies)

7. Medical Preparedness

8. Financial Preparedness

9. Communications and Promotions

Y2K and the year 2000 are the perfect opportunity to point people to the hope that we have. No matter how dark the situation, we know that in the end Jesus wins. We can tell people that Jesus is going to be triumphant. We can help them here and now, and we can get them prepared for the hereafter!

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 38, No. 12 Home Page