<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Fr. Walter Snyder Q: The predicted Y2K [Year Two Thousand---the "K" is from the Greek "kilo"] Bug [computer problem] and its potential effects on society---no utilities, economic collapse, civil uproar, etc.---has made my life hell. I started researching on the Internet because there seems to be no other source of info. I read stuff by Gary North and I'm scared and depressed, worrying almost every waking hour. It has shaken my faith, which doesn't seem to be helping me deal with this. North is a Christian Reconstructionist who predicts the end of life as we know it through a total social and technical collapse. He's postmillennialist, believing this is a required judgement of God to usher in a millennial period where Christianity can reign over society and the world. I don't agree with his theology but his reporting on the Y2K has me terrified. It seems a lot of Christians agree with him. Dobson is very pessimistic, along with Robertson and Falwell. Since you seem to be computer literate, have you researched this and do you have any opinions on it? Are you or your Churches preparing for it? I don't know much about Gary North except I think he resides around Tyler, Texas. Do you have any info on him as far as his reliability in theological and Y2K matters? Have you or your Churches had to deal with questions or concerns about this? I hear of Christians stockpiling food, guns, and ammo and moving to rural areas. It seems the Christian community is shouting the "Gloom and Doom" message the loudest. I realize certain Christian groups have made end-of-the-world predictions before or have set dates for Christ's return and all have been wrong but this still scares me to death. A dark part inside of me even wonders if suicide would be the answer if the things predicted come to pass. I'm scared and don't know where to turn and I'm sure there are others like me. Common sense tells me it won't be the end of the world but I just can't help it. It's like a drug. I get terrified reading about this but yet I spend a lot of my time reading everything I can find on it. I think I've even come to hate Gary North but I still can't stay away from his site. I also realize the panic that could be caused by this and that is scary in itself. I'd appreciate any feedback or help you may provide. And please don't think I'm crazy even though I'm starting to wonder that myself. A: I won't comment about "end-time" theology, except as pertaining to this question. Millennialism, preterism, or amillennialism might be topics for future questions, but would make this answer much too long. For column readers who haven't heard about it, Y2K is a problem in many older computers. They weren't built to last this long and much of the hardware and software was designed with only two digits for the year. The fear is that we'll have a global shutdown of energy, commerce, transportation, and the like when thousands of computers cease operating or revert to 1900 or another year as AD 2000 begins at midnight. Even those systems which continue to operate will not be able to communicate with the confused older computers, which will all be displaying the wrong date. Some think that banks won't be able to function, at least for a time, that telecommunications will fail, satellites will quit, and so on. I think that there will be some problems. Some might seem severe, although probably only for a short time. However, I think that the fervor you describe in some factions of "Christendom" is actually a device of the devil. Look at the worry you have been allowing yourself. When God pushes you into a corner, it is only so you will confront your sins and be ready to receive his forgiveness. Satan just pushes and pushes, hoping you'll snap. What people like North appear to be selling is unvarnished fear---perhaps with a chaser of their own books, magazines, and the like. We have not started any formal preparations here, although I am considering meeting with my church officers, to see if we might set up a short-term plan. The "Christian Community" is not unanimous in the "shouting." However, the approaching millennium was already threatening us with an overabundance of self-appointed prophets and charlatans before the expose of the Y2K problem. You can find hundreds of thousands of pages written about "angels" that bear scant resemblance to anything in Scripture. Y2K has even greater impact, since it is not only speculation and imagination, but speculation and imagination fueled by something at least partially grounded in observable fact. I won't tell you to ignore the problem. Even many scientists, computer programmers, and business leaders who are not prone to push the panic button have suggested laying in a few weeks to a month or so supply of food and water and to set aside extra cash. This shouldn't all be done on New Year's Eve 1999. Then, Y2K will be no problem at all---it'll be the panic-stricken people who are fighting to get into banks and stores before they are empty or closed. Similarly, figure out how to stay warm if you're in a cold climate or cool if your January runs warm. But don't fear this "bug" or those who remind me of the false prophets of Scripture, running around saying, "Here is the Christ; there is the Christ!" Fear, love and trust in God above all things; remember that his Son has taken away your sins, including that of worrying about the morrow; and as a member of his Holy Christian Church, never forget that Jesus tells us that even the gates of hell will never overcome it (or us). That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.