A 2022 Pew Research poll showed that about 40% of all U.S. adults and nearly 50% of U.S. Christians believe we are approaching the Apocalypse. There is no doubt that we are living through challenging period of history, but many believe that we are approaching the End Times, Armageddon, and the second coming of Jesus Christ.  

 

This talk provides a chance to learn about how Americans have interpreted crises through an apocalyptic lens since the 1970s. We look back at the elements of American “End Times” culture (films, novels, social media) and how Christians have embraced or rejected the idea of a looming Apocalypse.

The talk then asks us to consider if or how the American apocalyptic paradigm relates to Briar Cliff’s Franciscan values of community, creation, service, and peacemaking in this time of multiple crises.