Way back in July of 2023, we began a writing project to expose the world as our 2nd most dangerous enemy (Romans 12:2; James 4:4). God had more than writing in mind, and we have since begun several real implementations of solutions for the storms, chaos, and crises of this season. We also discovered something called “The Metacrisis,” and reframed the writing project as A Christian Response to the Metacrisis.
Metacrisis is a complex concept, perhaps new to many. The word has been coined to give attention to the bounded relationships that exist between the many crises humanity faces during this period of chaotic transition between Institutional and Socio-economic cycles, where failure or success in one has a negative or positive effect on one or more of the others. Examples include the meaning crisis, leadership crisis, suicide crisis, loneliness crisis, education crisis, etc. You can find the list of twenty-one crises, along with a biblical foundation for each here.
From a Christian perspective, the Metacrisis represents the cumulative effect of mankind’s rebellion during the Enlightenment, Modernity, and the Information Technology Age. Regrettably, the church’s conformity with the world has left it equally vulnerable to the Metacrisis. To be God’s instrument of salt and light to the world, we must first get over our own deluded state. You can find a list of the Meta-crises of the Institutional Church here.
There are a couple of significant differences between the secular Metacrisis and that of the Institutional Church. First, the potential downstream and cascading negative effects created by addressing any one of the secular meta-crises has created a type of analysis paralysis for those who think about such things. This, of course, is true for those crises that have bled into the Institutional Church. However, those crises not coupled with the world promise nothing but positive effect on related crises, allowing for a more strategic and aggressive approach to solutions.
The second difference between the secular Metacrisis and that of the Institutional Church is the personal interest of the LORD God Almighty in the latter. In fact, the solutions to those crises represent the transformation of the Body of Christ; aka, the Wife of the Lamb making Herself ready (Revelations 19:6-8). Furthermore, the Body of Christ, working to free itself from conformity with the world, will discover supernatural solutions to problems the world cannot solve. The wisdom of God will always outperform even the most intelligent artificial intelligence.
This leads us to the most important questions (at least for this article): How do we participate with God in His response to the Institutional Church Metacrisis? How do we walk in the good work of our own transformation? It seems God gave the minor prophet Joel the answer: a framework (or process) for the Christian response to our Metacrisis.
A Short Study of Joel
After some prayerful research, I have come to understand the Book of Joel in a new and helpful way. Your tradition may interpret some part(s) differently, so bear with me. I hope that whatever the difference may be, it will not blow up the whole framework for you.
Most scholars agree that Joel was written in the middle of the 9th Century, B.C. The book is particularly important for its reference to “the Day of the LORD (v. 2:1)” and its two promises: that the LORD will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (v. 2:28), and that “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (v. 2:32).” Furthermore, Chapter 3 prophesizes the judgment of Israel’s enemies and Israel’s blessings and restoration at the beginning of the 1000-year reign (Revelation 20:1-6).
Regarding this article, in the first two chapters the LORD explains how Israel might learn from His judgment, avoid more of the same by turning to Him, and consequently enjoy supernatural restoration of what they had lost. Such has been the LORD’s solution for reconciliation with His people since our rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Here is the story from Joel’s perspective:
- The book of Joel opens with the explanation of a locust plague and drought – like nothing they have ever experienced – as the LORD’s judgment on Israel (vv. 1:1-13). Consequently, the elders are instructed to memorialize the LORD’s judgment for the edification of future generations.
- The plague and drought serve as God’s warning of the soon coming “day of the LORD (v. 15).”
- In response, the elders are encouraged to “blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; surely it is near (v. 2:1).” In other words, the elders are to take responsibility for the nation’s response.
- Most scholars understand the imminent “day of the LORD” to be the invasion of a mighty foreign army (vv. 2:2-10). We discover, to our surprise and sobriety, that the LORD Himself is leading the invasion: “…for strong is He who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it (v. 11)?”
- Consequently, the elders must decide: ignore God’s warning, or call the people to return to the LORD “…with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments (v. 12).”
- The LORD motivates their return to Him with, “For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil (v. 13).”
- Should the elders and the people respond properly, the LORD “…will be zealous for His land, and will have pity on His people (v. 18).” Amazingly (and this is important in our context), the LORD promises to restore what had been lost to the plague and drought (vv. 2:19-27).
The LORD’s prescription for reconciliation with His rebellious and wandering people applies as well to the Body of Christ and the Institutional Church in this transformative season of storms, chaos, and crisis. God’s solution is a process that can be applied to every crisis which plagues us today.
Most eschatologists understand the remainder of Joel’s prophesy to apply to the Church Age; Peter, at Pentecost, referenced verses 28 and 29 to explain the miracle of speaking in other languages (more on this later). Additionally, Joel’s eventual “great and awesome day of the LORD” is understood to describe either the battle at Jesus’ Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-21) or the final battle recorded in Scripture (Revelation 20:7-10).
Two Important Observations
Before studying Joel more closely, I had no idea that “the day of the LORD” referred to several existential calamities in Israel’s history. In addition to the two referenced in Joel, the term “day of the LORD” is also used to describe the fall of Israel in 722 B.C. (Amos 5), the fall of Judah in 586 B.C. (Ezekiel 13:5), and the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C. (Jeremiah 46:10) (Wiersbe, 2002). This discovery got me thinking about the other “events” mentioned in Joel’s prophesy, particularly the outpouring of God’s Spirit on all flesh.
Interestingly, I discovered (also from Wiersbe (2002)) that Peter does not claim the outpouring of the LORD’s Spirit at Pentecost as the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy, but only as a manifestation of it. Moreover, a “latter rain” outpouring has been promised for the end of this age (James 5:7). Indeed, we have experienced several outpourings in recent history: the First and Second Great Awakenings, the Azusa Street Revival, the Toronto Blessing, etc. Who knows how many such outpourings have occurred in countries around the world?
A dear friend and wise mentor pointed out that the LORD’s Spirit is poured out every time someone is redeemed and reborn. The Spirit is being poured out on all flesh continuously, and the outpouring is not qualified by the number of people receiving the blessing. This should leave us hopeful and expectant for more in this season of storms, chaos, and crisis.
A Few Hopeful and Instructive Applications
Personal History
At eleven or twelve years of age, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and be my Savior. I then proceeded to wrestle with Him as my Lord for approximately twelve years. Eventually, I found myself burned out from struggling to maintain the untenable compromise. Hind-sight being 20/20, I now realize my life had become a plague and drought of God’s judgment. I am forever grateful for His longsuffering and persistent lovingkindness.
Standing in my parents living room, observing the peace they and my siblings enjoyed, I heard the Lord say, “Why don’t you try the thing closest to you?” Somehow, I knew that His sweet invitation to return included a warning: do so now, or things will get worse. Fortunately, I chose to heed the warning and accept His invitation. Soon thereafter, I surrendered to His lordship over my life. While the restoration took more time than I would like to admit, I can still remember the pressure lifting and my hope rising. The Spirit has been poured out on my flesh many times since, and I actually look forward to the great and terrible day of the LORD.
Potential Reality
The study of Joel’s prophesy has me wondering about the outpouring of the LORD’s Spirit on the many college campuses around our county. Is this His response to some judgment and turning that I have missed? Or is it a taste and reminder of His desire to restore what we have lost to plague and drought? Are we seeing the “latter rain” outpouring expected to occur before Jesus Christ’s return?
Only time will tell LORD’s full intent in this season, but He has also promised, through another small but significant prophet:
Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy? Amos 3:7-8
As we have suggested in previous articles, we desperately need the prophets. In fact, we have been commanded to pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (1Corinthians 14:1).
Hopeful Outcome
My research into the dangers of digital technology has left me heartbroken for Generation Z. I would like to think that we might recognize their increased addiction to technology, depression, loneliness, and suicide as God’s judgment on our failure to raise them up in the fear and admonition of the LORD. Yes, that is a hard pill to swallow; but it means there is hope – hope for a people willing to return to God with all their hearts, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; rending their hearts and not their garments (Joel 2:12).
Prior to this study of Joel, my broken heart found it difficult to hope for the future of Generation Z. Assuming something is eventually done to stem the devastation, how would those responsible for their protection, care, and recovery restore what the locust of digital technology has done to them? Now, I not only have hope, but I recognize we have a supernatural solution to their deliverance and recovery. God Himself will restore them!
Return to the LORD
Let us be clear. God will supernaturally solve every crisis that plagues the Body of Christ – even those of the broader society – if the leaders of that Body respond appropriately by sounding the trumpet and calling a sacred assembly (Joel 2:15-16). Obviously, all this is easier to write about than to do. The Institutional Church has grown weak, useless to many, and corrupt before God because it has been easier to kick the can down the road than take responsibility for our commission and destiny in Christ. Returning to the LORD after so much irresponsibility, disobedience, and rebellion requires a level of humility we find difficult to muster.
We have been here before, and the problem has grown larger every time we have refused to return to the LORD. I am not the only sober-minded Christian who feels this may be the last opportunity for the Body of Christ in the Western Hemisphere to come to terms with itself and alter its legacy. Like Israel, we are facing existential threats, and on many fronts. God made Israel’s decision to return an easy one. How could it be any less so for us?
God bless you with the wisdom, discernment, courage, and boldness to return to the LORD.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob Streetman
#iamjustthepen
Wiersbe, W. (2002). The Bible Exposition Commentary/Prophets. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.