Re: questions for discussion

> I discuss this theory with my students. A key part of the theory is that
the
> bible states that "the bear" will attack "the lamb."  According to the
> Apocolyptists, the lamb is "the lamb of Israel" and the bear is "the bear
of
> Russia", since Russia has a bear on its flag. Hence, Russia is going to
lead
> an attack against Israel.  (Possibly in concert with Germany and the
> European Union, or possibly as a separate army.)
>
> Then I pointed out that the University of California at Berkeley has a
flag
> as its symbol. So perhaps the bible was really predicting an invasion of
> Israel by the students at Cal Berkeley.   Or maybe the Chicago Bears?

Alan:

There is not one but several "world-systemist premillenialist"
interpretations of Revelation 13. Another interpretation sees the U.S. as
the two-horned, lamb-like beast who arises out of the earth (not out of the
sea as the first beast which, according to this interpretation, is Europe)
and "causes fire to come down from heaven [bombs?] in full view of men".

Do you see your criticism of the Christian predictions as applying to all
teleological theories of history?

JO