The Dangers of Headline Theology

by Jeff Reed

“Headline theology” can be defined as searching out sensational headlines in the news upon which to base one’s biblical theology. Many supposed modern-day prophets find joy in connecting world events to their prophetic scenarios even though they continually are proven wrong and continue to move the goalposts of their predictions.

We in the Church of God International may occasionally look at world events and examine them through the lens of God’s law or prophecy. Still, we carefully avoid making dogmatic statements and identify our observations as speculation. Those who practice “headline theology” go much further. They may predict specific days or years as an absolute fulfillment of prophesied events. Or they may suggest that the end is only a few years away.

One of the dangers of this mindset is paranoia. We are told in Philippians 4:6-7 to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Looking at every new war, earthquake, natural disaster, social trend, or political change as a fulfillment of prophecy can cause anxiety.

A Christian should be informed about world events and share the good news of God’s Kingdom, but continually looking for signs of prophetic fulfillment in everything can be a real source of stress. As a child, I was a part of a fundamentalist Pentecostal church that continually taught “headline theology.” There were nights where I was unable to sleep, being afraid that I might be forced to receive the mark of the beast, or that the rapture may happen any minute, or that the antichrist would soon appear. It wasn’t until, at the age of ten, I watched a Church of God TV preacher teaching the good news of God’s Kingdom that I was able to overcome those fears. Children can easily be influenced by the fear their parents or church may teach.

Jesus tells us to “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42.) Many have interpreted this statement to mean that we should continually look at world events like a puzzle to be solved. They would say that we will not be ready for Jesus’ return if we are not watching world events. But this is not what Christ meant. He says, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:44-46.) It is clear from this passage that we will not know when Christ will return, so we must continuously watch our behavior. We should always be living our lives as if Christ may return tonight or that we may die unexpectedly.

Another danger with “headline theology” is that it may cause some to lose their faith. Many over the years have put their hopes in a prophetic fulfillment that never comes to pass. Church leaders have unwisely predicted specific dates for the return of Christ or have implied that it would occur within a certain number of years. This date-setting has caused disillusionment in many former Christians. Faith in Christ becomes entwined with faith in their leader's predictions. Once these predictions ultimately fail, they can have a devastating effect on those who gullibly believed them. 

William Miller predicted that Jesus would return to earth by 1844. He was so wrong in his calculations that the ensuing failure has been labeled the “Great Disappointment.” This failed prediction caused many to abandon their faith entirely and others to refer to this event as a reason to not even consider Christianity. Since then, many others have made similar predictions based on faulty calculations and their perceptions of world wars, disasters, and other dramatic events. They have all been wrong, and some of the fallout has been many people losing faith entirely. This also hurts the credibility of organizations and preachers, making their ensuing evangelistic efforts less effective.

William Miller’s failed prophecy diagram.

The final danger of “headline theology” is that it can shift our focus away from what is fundamental to Christianity. Calculating dates, proof-texting, deciphering prophetic puzzles with world events, and other related activities take away our time from what is important. The Apostle Paul made this clear to the Ephesians. “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-15).

Our Christian discipleship is the most important thing we should focus our time and energy on. The essentials of Bible study, prayer, obedience, and fellowship can provide real growth in our life. We must let Jesus transform us through His Spirit, and when the Day of the Lord does come, we will be ready for our role in that soon-coming Kingdom.

Sources:

http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue144/over-the-years-cgi-moved-from-authoritarianism.html

https://www.sryahwapublications.com/journal-of-religion-and-theology/pdf/v2-i3/1.pdf

https://thelife.com/getting-over-my-end-times-phobia