Carpe Diem, Redeeming the Time
June 18, 2020Carpe Diem: Redeeming the Time
By Martin Murphy
I finished reading Carpe Diem Redeemed: Seizing the Day, Discerning the Times, by Os Guinness. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Guinness in 1986. It was a pleasure because he spoke to a small group of conservative evangelicals about the cultural shift of western civilization. It set me on a long journey inquiring into the relationship of the culture to the evangelical church. Dr. Guinness influenced my thinking in terms of social and political philosophy by reading many of his books.
Carpe Diem Redeemed is not a tome to decipher, but a serious monograph to study and muse until time is no more. Until then "seize the day" or as the inspired Word posits, "Redeeming the time. (Ephesians 5:16).
Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means “seize the day” allegedly first used by the Roman poet Horace who was Epicurean. The Epicurean philosophy theorized that pleasure was good and all pains were evil. Therefore, seize the day because life (time) is short; enjoy the pleasures of each day.
Dr. Guinness takes a biblical view of carpe diem and examines the Christian/covenantal view of time. "In short, seizing the day, making the most of life, and understanding the meaning of life are inseparable. All three require that if we are to master time, we must come to know the author of time, the meaning of time and come to know the part he calls us to play in his grand story, which makes the deepest overall sense of time and history."
I thought about writing a review, but then I realized I would have to turn his monograph into a tome. A couple of quotes will either whet your appetite for a study into time/history/reality or you may conclude "that's not for me." One way or the other it will not affect the joy my old mind received from reading this book.
He speaks plainly about the value of time. "Life is short, but we are called to rise to our full potential, making the most of it and seizing each day. Within the biblical view of time and history, life offers meaning and opens prospects whose significance far outstrips its shortness."
If one of his concluding remarks does not get your attention, then a 1000 page review would be of no help. "The advanced modern world should ponder Nietzsche's story, for the culture of death is spreading slowly and remorselessly in our time. Death in video games, death in rap music, death in action films, arms dealings, murders, massacres, killing fields, terrorism, abortions, suicides, euthanasia, drone strikes, long-range missile retaliation, robotic AI Warriors, an accelerating arms race in space – together, the brutal arm of violence and shadow of death are stalking the earth. Clearly, the advanced modern world has chosen to beckon the angel death and plant the skull and bones firmly at the center of its way of life."
In my commentary of the book of Ephesians, there is my commentary on "Redeeming the Time." Christians should disenfranchise themselves from the evils of this age and live carefully and accurately according to the Word of God. Christians should follow the instruction given to the Ephesian Church: "redeem the time." Make the most of the time God has given you. I hate it when people tell me that nothing can be done. That is contrary to the Word of God. The phrase in verse 16 "redeeming the time" literally means buy up the time. Redeeming the time has nothing to do with gaining time or losing time. You can't create one extra moment for your life and Satan cannot steal one moment from your life. God has ordained how many minutes we have to serve Him and nothing can change His ordination. Redeeming the time has to do with making the best use of every circumstance as God providentially brings it your way. Maximize your gifts.
Carpe Diem!
Posted by Martin Murphy. Posted In : Theology
My first priority in life is to glorify God by writing books with the layman in mind. My joy in life is spending time with my wife and enjoying life together. After spending nearly 30 years in the class room, the pulpit, the lectern, the study, and the library, I now devote most of my time consolidating my academic and practical gains by writing books.
I have a B.A. in Bible from Columbia International University and a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary.
