Epoch II

A follow-up to musing #416 (“Epoch”)…

In the spring of 1997, while living in SD, we experienced what meteorologists called a 500 year flood.  There was a tough winter with some 18 blizzards causing piles of snow at each corner so that one had to basically slowly ease into intersections.  There was lots of snow!  Then came a quick warming – and you know what that causes.  Yes, a flood!  A flood that wiped out a long existing Christian camp, many farms, and parts of our town.  It was huge!  Such was an epic event, but not an epoch.  What?

Definition by PK:  Epic means noteworthy for a long period of time at least for some and worthy of a book, museum or poem but not causing a radical change in or transformation of the culture or lifestyle.

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of EPIC

1: a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero – the Iliad and the Odyssey are epics.

2: a work of art (such as a novel or drama) that resembles or suggests an epic

3: a series of events or body of legend or tradition thought to form the proper subject of an epic

Definition of EPOCH

1a: an event or a time marked by an event that begins a new period or development

2a: an extended period of time usually characterized by a distinctive development or by a memorable series of events.  (PK – add to COVID are the Floyd death and the election.)

PK take:  An epic is something or someone that is sufficiently unique or bold to cause many to speak of it for a long time to come.  That ’97 flood will forever go with me and those who went through it.  It was epic.  An epoch is something that has a major transformational impact on peoples, a nation, or the world for generations.

I think the 2020 Coronavirus 19 pandemic might have been an epoch as it appears to have caused a major shift in how we live, how the government operates, and what we can expect.  It appears that we will not now or maybe ever go back to the days of 2019.  Who would have ever imagined that the fear of death associated with the pandemic could close churches, schools, and many businesses?  Who in 2019 thought we’d be forced to wear face coverings, keep distance from others, and isolate the elderly away from their families?  The pandemic gave reason for significant governmental actions and transitions – even providing the tipping point from capitalism to socialism – stimulus money.  The 2020 pandemic has the feeling of an epoch for it appears that freedoms and prosperity realized in the days before will be curtailed for a long time.

And what has happened to the church?  It appears that faith in God and for some, even Jesus, has been shifted to faith in science and/or government.  This epoch marks the end of Christianity as a leading force in America.  So, church entities are now in denial or resetting their mission to align with the new culture.

Here are some thoughts:

1. The Vatican has lost its voice as most Catholics are no longer pro-life or dutiful followers.
2. The Liberals are about the climate, woke, reparations, and cancel culture.
3. The Evangelicals now preach love, relevance, and social justice.
4. The Biblicists (Fundamentalists) are quieted as they are rightly accused of being intolerant.

Furthermore, the population who claim to belong to a church is now less than 50% and those who are truly saved are a rapidly shrinking group.

America appears to have changed, but not our calling – love and serve Jesus passionately!