The Church expected the Second Coming of Christ…
““The Church expected the Second Coming of Christ immediately. The converts had known a first coming. And then? And then! That was the trouble — the then. He had come, and they adored and believed, they communicated and practiced, and waited. The then lasted, and there seemed to be no farther equivalent Now. Time became the individual and catholic problem. The Church had to become as universal and as durable — as time.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The Church’s focus on the future (“the then”) creates a problem of time, forcing it to become universal and lasting like time itself.
In simple terms: Fixation on future creates tension.
Key Takeaway
Balance present and future.
Themes
time
church
universality
faith
anticipation
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious practice
- future planning
- cultural adaptation
Key Concepts
Christian theology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you stay grounded while planning ahead?
- What timeless values guide you?
A Different Perspective
Excessive future focus can cause anxiety.