88. Journeys of Faith: Unpacking Eschatology with Micah and John of City Square Podcast
About this Episode
Have you ever questioned your beliefs about the end times? Have you ever wondered about the different strands of eschatological thought and how they emerged? Strap in for a fascinating discussion with John and Micah, hosts of the City Square Podcast on eschatology. Listen in as we get into the heart of eschatology, a topic we've not extensively covered on the Bad Roman Podcast. It's an enlightening conversation filled with personal experiences, exciting insights, and a friendly rivalry over football.
Ready to expand your horizons? We explore different eschatological views, how popular culture influences these perspectives(The Left Behind Series), and the history of alternative beliefs and teachings. Hear about the three main views of eschatology (Amill, Pre-Mill, and Post-Mill), the interpretations of Christ's return, and the role of critical thinking and discernment in religious belief. We deconstruct the emergence of dispensationalism, where it came from, and its wide acceptance today.
But that’s not all! We’re pulling back the curtain on the City Square Podcast, revealing its conception, production, and mission. Hear how everyday people share stories of their faith and labor, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of human experience. We'll also discuss the bearing of eschatology on one's life and the potential it holds to shape our view of the world. With John and Micah as our guides, we journey through a landscape of belief, religion, and personal perspectives in this enlightening and entertaining episode.
Connect with our guests Micah and John:
Episode Timestamps:
01:10 - Who is Micah?
Husband, father, grew up Baptist before moving into Evenglicail philosophies
studied church father and found his way into LCMS (Lutheran Church Mission Synod)
02:56 - Who is John?
Did not grow up in the Church
God saved him in college
He found his way into reform theology and planted a church in rural TX before moving to San Antonio
Web Designer
04:27 West Texas & The Dallas Cowboys
Sports Rivalries
Steve Young signed ball
9:36 Eschatology
City Square Round Table
The Rapture and Southern Baptist Churches view on it
Preacher Ebb
12:33 John’s View of the Rapture and Eschatology
Evangelical tradition’s relationship to dispensationalist Eschatology
Amillennialism Eschatology
Traditional early Church view
16:14 Micah’s View and What is Amill?
Amill
Not a future literal thousand years, but Christ is reigning now with saints and will at some point return
Post-mill
Christ returns after minimum, but the world system gets progressively better until his return
Pre-mill
Christ returns before the millennium
Dispensationalist
18th century 19th century America
Splits Christ's return into two parts
19:40 The Fear of Rapture as a Kid and where that gets directed
Not fear of self not being saved but those who do not believe
Fear-based theology
United Pentecostal
22:44 Why should we care about these different views as Christians?
Dispensationalist in 2020
“Everything was the anti-Christ”
Most people don’t know there are multiple perspectives or the origins of Dispensationalism
Dangers of going “too far”
Eschatology as a barrier to a deeper faith
27:00 Israel’s Standing in Amill and Post-mill vs. Dispensationalism
Book of Revelation and Daniel are important for Dispensationalism
Symbolism vs. literalism
Multi Genere nature of the bible
Eschatology is essential in informing how you shape your fundamental worldview
31:47 City Square Podcast and Covid-19
Origin of name and logo
Importance of talking to real people about who they are, what they do, and their faith
Power of Stories
Today and in the bible
Authenticity
Fandoms
Covid and fake sports fans
45:20 Differences Between Lutheran and Reformed Theology
John and Micah discuss Baptism
Martin Luther
Lord's Supper
Christology
Ecclesiology
global church's view of Jesus' presence
53:54 How to connect with City Square and Micah and John