Think like a Futurist

Early last year Ari Wallach wrote a short piece on “How to think like a futurist.” He lists three ways:

1. Transgenerational thinking. Think beyond yourself.
2. Futures thinking. As in plural. There's more than one way to think about the future.
3. Telos thinking. What is the ultimate purpose?

I've been numbering my days for more than 4,000 days now—since the beginning of 2006. This is based on Psalm 90:12 that draws a specific connection between wisdom and time. One thing I've noticed is how few references to wisdom one can find in the Bible that do not have a reference to time nearby.

Therefore, there's a lot to agree with in thinking like a futurist, and there is wisdom to be found in considering the times in which we live and the times into which we are headed.

Thinking beyond ourselves to the next generation is good. This is not just about “doing good in the world,” but about preparing people for eternity.

In terms of many futures, yes, it's not just about “major world problems,” though there are plenty of those. Those who have read, studied, and been taught Bible prophecy know that there is no “techno-utopia that solves them,” but a Savior who comes for His people. (Technology is also going to destroy some people, too.)

Thinking about ultimate purpose indeed requires a paradigm shift, specifically from an earthly perspective to an eternal perspective. One of the more vivid examples of this is in the Old Testament, “when Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

Indeed, Lord, open our eyes.