Ethics and Religion Talk: Does Waiting for a Messiah Mean Abdicating Personal Responsibility?

Question: One of my issues with religion is that it seems all the faiths are waiting for someone. Christians and Muslims are waiting for Jesus, Buddhists are waiting for Maitreya and Jews are waiting for anybody but Jesus. To me, this allows us to abdicate any responsibility to work for peace, a healthy planet and personal happiness. I've heard way too often that we don't even have to worry about global warming. The Chosen One will set everything aright. I'd appreciate reading the diverse opinions of your panel here.

Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds:

"This is an excellent example of the difference between progressive and conservative expressions of religions. Having attended many temples, synagogues, churches and mosques, I can safely say that you will never (or almost never) hear a sermon about some supernatural figure who is to appear or return to set the world right, punish sinners or rule over humanity in a liberal community. Their focus tends to be on the here and now, and our responsibility to elevate values that are life-affirming. The more conservative groups pay a great deal of attention to directing their hope for such a future world. The same can be said for attention to the afterlife.

In Hinduism, there does exist the doctrine of the avatar. That is, incarnations of divinity who appear from time to time with the mission of bringing Light that will conquer Darkness. Some view this as allegorical, some take it more literally. This lore includes the prediction that a celestial being named Kalki will one day become manifest to fulfill such a mission. But thankfully, I’ve never met a Hindu who takes this as seriously enough to abdicate their personal responsibility to make every effort to grow spiritually. For the most part, it’s just an afterthought." 

The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds:

"Unitarian Universalists are not waiting for anyone. We believe it is up to us to create a better world for everyone right here and right now. In scripture, Jesus said, "For behold the Kingdom of God is before you." We have long believed it is up to us to create a Heaven here on earth. For us, heaven is a place that is just and equitable for all. That is why our faith has such a strong call for social action and social justice work." 

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds:

"Christ Himself punches a huge hole in any theology of the Second Coming that relieves ​the Christian of the obligation to work for positive change in our churches, communities and the world at large when He speaks the parable of the Ten Pounds (Luke 19:11-26). His words are aimed at certain disciples who “thought that the kingdom of heaven should immediately appear.” A nobleman is about to leave his servants for a time, so he calls them together and entrusts them with his riches, giving the considerable sum of “ten pounds” in silver coin to each of them, and says, “Occupy till I come.” 

Upon his return, the master demands that each servant account for what he has done with the money and whether the master has any return for his investment. The servant who has done nothing with the money entrusted to him is sternly rebuked and deprived of his small fortune. The lesson is plain. Every Christian has received great treasure from his Master. Until Christ returns, we should be fully engaged or occupied in putting our gifts and graces to work for the good of others and the glory of His name."

The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds:

"I appreciate this question because it allows me to clarify the difference between passive waiting and active or proactive waiting. We Christians wait for the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that He will come back for his Church and, when this happens, He promises to make every wrong right and establish justice and peace. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4) "Behold," Jesus says in Revelation 21:5, "I make all things new." And in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Paul reminds us that "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."

The Bible also states that because we are co-workers with God, it is our responsibility to work for Him using our time, money, and talents towards the fulfilment of God's goals for this world as we wait for all of His promises to come to pass. So, this is not a call to passivity but a call to action: to proclaim His truth, love and care for his Creation, Serve and honor his people, and make him known through the Church. Therefore, as we wait, let us pay heed to the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.""        

Linda Knieriemen, a retired pastor of the Presbyterian Church (USA), responds:

"The Presbyterian Form of Government states that “the church is the provisional manifestation of what God intends for all humanity." In other words, the church should be working to live like people will live when Christ returns and God’s intentions come into fullness. 

A parable in the Gospel of Mark suggests that Christ’s return is like a person who, before leaving on a journey, puts his workers in charge to continue with the owner’s work. They (we) are to ‘keep awake,’ not to relax. 

In my tradition, there is far more emphasis on continuing the work Jesus began—the work of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly. We are to to tend the earth, practice reconciliation, welcome all to the party and love even the stranger. Our work will never be complete, but we show our faithfulness by being on the road toward the world Jesus envisioned."

This column answers questions of Ethics and Religion by submitting them to a multi-faith panel of spiritual leaders in the Grand Rapids area. We’d love to hear about the ordinary ethical questions that come up in the course of your day as well as any questions of religion that you’ve wondered about. Tell us how you resolved an ethical dilemma and see how members of the Ethics and Religion Talk panel would have handled the same situation. Please send your questions to [email protected].