Press Release - For Immediate Release

Y2K and the End of the World?

by Mark Harpt, President of the World Wide Christian Web

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona --- Why are Christian organizations talking about and actually fighting over the Y2K issue?  I was listening to a Christian radio program the other day and once again, I heard Christians taking potshots at other Christians about their take on this issue. Without going into detail and, unlike those guests, without mentioning names, I heard a Godly organization and a Godly man, whom I've listened to for over a decade, dragged through the mud in a very unChristian-like manner over the Y2K issue.

Am I saying all organizations should be left unaccountable just because they call themselves "Christian"?  Not in the least.  But the criticism leveled at Christians by Christians that I am complaining about isn't over doctrine, theology or anything to do with Christianity at all.  It's over Y2K!  And these Y2K attacks do not seem to follow the Bible's wise words about confronting a Christian who you think has wronged you (Matthew 18:15).  Names are named publicly, in front of the world.  By doing so, I believe the criticizers may be causing the name of our Savior to be ridiculed amongst nonbelievers.  So, as Christians, lets stop fighting amongst ourselves about Y2K.  It's not worth it.

As far as talking about Y2K in the context of Christianity goes, that needs to stop also.  Y2K is not really a Christian issue.  We should always be ready for a possible disaster, whether it be flood, famine, war or general utility outage.  We should always be prepared to feed our family, our neighbors and those in need if disaster strikes.  That is the duty of the church and of every Christian.  How could the worst feared outcome of Y2K be something special?

As Christians we should not live in fear. Some Christians accuse other Christians of fear-mongering when it comes to Y2K.  If true, it may be construed as a Christian issue but should be handled in the manner spelled out in the Bible.  Public attacks are not the way to handle such things.  And why are Christians so easily prone to fear and panic?  As Christians, we were chosen by the creator of the universe himself.  Do we really need to worry about power outages?  Don't get me wrong, we should be prepared for the reasons I previously mentioned.  How will we, as Christians, stand against real persecution and trial if we almost lose our minds from fear of Y2K?  How is that an example to the world?  Christians are dying for their faith all over the earth and we're worrying that everything in our freezer will thaw out.  Perhaps we have it too good.

The Bible says the Devil is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).  Those who criticize other good Christian organizations are on dangerous ground indeed.  It's now up to those they criticize to follow Matthew 18 so that the criticizers can be brought back into the flock.  It is up to the rest of us to concentrate, not on fear, but on our fellow human beings who are hurt and who desperately need a Savior.

The World Wide Christian Web (http://www.wwcw.org) is an organization dedicated to spreading the Good News to the lost via the high-tech medium of the Internet.  It also stands as a major resource for fellow Christians with Bible Q & A, Prayer Requests and other free information services.

For more information, please contact Mark Harpt at markh@wwcw.org.

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