day no. 16,763: the scaffolding we see and the city we do not

"Abraham and his seed are in fact going to inherit the earth (Rom. 4:13). Apart from a postmillennial eschatology, which can afford to be patient, political debates between rival Christian political theories will necessarily become much more heated than they need to be. This is because without a doctrine of gradual historical development into the future, every debate about different proposals will have to act like those making the proposal want to enact everything tomorrow, and that introduces conflict of necessity. This is because all the proposals, mine included, would be an obvious disaster if implemented tomorrow. So no matter what happens, tomorrow is going to be a hodge-podge. This means that as we in various ways describe our ideal Christian republic to one another, we ought to do so with the proviso that we are talking about 300 years from now, and not about the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. We are building a cathedral that will take centuries; we are not putting up a tent on a camping trip. Christian political theory, at its best, is a rolled up set of blueprints. Christian activism, at its best, is digging trenches and pouring footings. Now this latter activity is best done by those who have studied the blueprints, but we are nowhere close to erecting the towers. Protestant political theory requires a doctrine of history, and this in turn is best informed by an optimistic eschatology.” — Douglas Wilson, Seven Theses on Theocratic Libertarianism

Christendom is the kind of project put into place by those who cannot expect to see the final product. It is akin to the cathedrals of yesteryear where the blueprints estimate centuries before completion. That is to say that those who drew up the plans knew that they wouldn't live to see the end of the mission. Yet, knowing that, they played their part and did the work in front of them.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

If we spend out entire lives putting up the scaffolding required to build Christendom, it will not have been for nothing. If our entire efforts are merely the apparatus by which others build the real deal, we should not fret that our scaffolding should someday be set aside or discarded. In fact, we should plan on it and apply ourselves all the more to that which will advance the kingdom. Whatever it takes, let us get to it. Our great grandchildren may not see the scaffolding we are laboring to put up, but they might gaze upon walls we only saw on paper. They might paint the ceilings we have not seen and sing inside the city we long to someday inhabit.

Hebrews 11:16

They desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

May we, like them, desire a better city and serve Christ by striving toward it.

Matthew 6:33

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.