I've been reading Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, and it ponders heavily on this topic of never ending to-dos. It's full of philosophy in our finite lives, but at least as far as I've read, he doesn't seem to seriously consider the prospect of eternity. He seems to fall for the philosopher's idea that if we had eternity, there would be no impetus to do anything. I'm in your side. The idea of eternity is a comfort, when all the things that matter most will be completely accessible, unlike now.
Ooo, interesting thoughts! When you have unlimited time, what's the point of doing anything?
I think this is actually a great defense for the Christian's idea of purpose. We understand that we have at most ~100 years to complete the mission God has given each person. Eternity offers rest and reward after that. The idea of eternity should encourage us to run hard in the time that we have, not excuse us to be complacent throughout our life.
Yes...but there's more. Eternity isn't just for rest. There's reward sure, but there's also the prospect of a restored garden/city, in which believers rule with Christ. He has even more purposeful work for us to do in developing His playground of Creation--except it's one in which we don't tire, and the work is no longer wearying.
What Burkeman and his sources miss is that if eternity left no motivation to do anything, then God would have had no reason to create. But He did. So there must be other motivating factors for action, besides our impending end.
If we had forever without the troubles of the current earth (as is promised), it's not that we would lack motivation to do things because finitude makes them meaningful, but that our reasons for doing things would change. Without the suffering caused by the curse, we would be truly free to do things for the love and joy they bring. This doesn't take away meaning. It enhances it.
Excellent Katie! I appreciate this reminder.
Thanks Aunt Tonia!
I've been reading Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, and it ponders heavily on this topic of never ending to-dos. It's full of philosophy in our finite lives, but at least as far as I've read, he doesn't seem to seriously consider the prospect of eternity. He seems to fall for the philosopher's idea that if we had eternity, there would be no impetus to do anything. I'm in your side. The idea of eternity is a comfort, when all the things that matter most will be completely accessible, unlike now.
Well said, and good shooting.
Ooo, interesting thoughts! When you have unlimited time, what's the point of doing anything?
I think this is actually a great defense for the Christian's idea of purpose. We understand that we have at most ~100 years to complete the mission God has given each person. Eternity offers rest and reward after that. The idea of eternity should encourage us to run hard in the time that we have, not excuse us to be complacent throughout our life.
Thanks! Hats off to my dad for good lessons (:
Yes...but there's more. Eternity isn't just for rest. There's reward sure, but there's also the prospect of a restored garden/city, in which believers rule with Christ. He has even more purposeful work for us to do in developing His playground of Creation--except it's one in which we don't tire, and the work is no longer wearying.
What Burkeman and his sources miss is that if eternity left no motivation to do anything, then God would have had no reason to create. But He did. So there must be other motivating factors for action, besides our impending end.
If we had forever without the troubles of the current earth (as is promised), it's not that we would lack motivation to do things because finitude makes them meaningful, but that our reasons for doing things would change. Without the suffering caused by the curse, we would be truly free to do things for the love and joy they bring. This doesn't take away meaning. It enhances it.