Y2k--A Rational and Biblical Perspective

"Y2k" is short for "Year 2000". Many older computers (both mainframes and PC's) store only two digits for the year (e.g.. "1998" is stored as "98"). The year 2000 will be stored as "00", which will be interpreted as "1900" by these systems. If they do math on dates, they are liable to get wrong answers come January 1, 2000. This would have varying effects; most systems would continue functioning with only minor problems, but some may shut down or cause major side effects.

Every major corporation and government agency is now reviewing all of its products and its internal computer systems to make sure that they are "year 2000 compliant". Virtually all major and high-profile software systems will be compliant by year 2000 (otherwise those responsible for the systems will be subject to lawsuits).

It is impossible to know definitively how severe this problem is until year 2000 comes, which leads to lots of doomsday predictions. I suspect that there will be some minor unforeseen glitches in computer systems on Jan. 1, 2000, but nothing very severe (1). It will certainly not be the meltdown of western civilization that the doomsayers predict.

Many people are spreading fear and paranoia about this issue (and are becoming wealthy as seminar speakers). They predict collapses of our societal infrastructure, including banking systems, air travel, and public utilities.

An unsettlingly large number of these people are Christians. Under the guise of being watchful and of preparing for one's family, they are encouraging believers to move to the country, pull their money out of financial institutions, stockpile guns and large amounts of food, and become self-sufficient. As one leader says, "Gold, guns, groceries, and God -- the four Gs of Y2K." This view is being promoted in home-schooling circles and other venues, and will only increase as we get closer to Jan. 1, 2000. One of the more radical promoters is Gary North, who you may recognize as a sensationalistic reconstuctionist from a decade ago (2). Other more moderate authors (e.g.. Jonathan Lindvall) are trying to avoid motivating panic, fear, and self-centeredness, but are nonetheless painting dire scenarios and encouraging believers to stockpile goods and to become self-sufficient.

The motivation for most of this paranoia and hype is simply fear. It is no different than the desire to build backyard bomb shelters in the 50's, or the fear of the "illuminati" promoted by a charlatan named John Todd in the 70's (3). But irrespective of the motives, the advice of these doomsayers reveals a lack of faith in God.

God promises to care for His own. This promise does not end on Dec. 31, 1999. Mt. 6:33 does not change to "Seek first to stockpile food and money, and all these things will be given to you." No, God wants us to seek Him and His concerns first, no matter what the situation. The Lord goes on in this passage, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, ..." (Mt. 6:34) If He were saying this now, I believe He would add "... or Jan. 1, 2000."

But what if my analysis of this problem is wrong, and there will be severe economic consequences? Even so, God does not want us to panic and consume our time in efforts of self-preservation. To go far beyond basic disaster preparedness, as the Y2k doomsayers urge (4), is to divert our precious time, resources, and attention away from the Lord's work. I believe this is nothing less than disobedience to His will as revealed in Scripture. God may deliver His people from troubles or He may not. Whatever the outcome, God is sovereign and He is glorified when we place our trust in Him, rather than in our own efforts (see Heb. 11).

Our response to this Y2k paranoia should imitate that of David. When he was in peril and was encouraged by friends to flee for safety (much like the message of the Y2k "prophets of doom"), his response was; "In the LORD I take refuge; How then can you say to me, 'Flee like a bird to your mountain ...?'" (Ps. 11:1) To paraphrase him in Ps. 20:7; "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, [and some in stockpiles of food, guns, and money], but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." As the Y2k hype increases, we believers need to demonstrate to the unbelieving world our faith in a good, loving, and sovereign God, not fear of the future or faith in human efforts.

Kirk Bertsche 10-3-98

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1) In the rush to fix software, some older and smaller systems are likely to be overlooked. However, any ill effects from these systems will be very localized. There are many "embedded controllers" in older products whose software cannot be easily upgraded. However, most of these controllers don't perform any math on dates, so won't be affected. Hence, any glitches on Jan. 1, 2000 are likely to be minor. For some rational analyses (from a secular viewpoint), see:

http://www.cnet.com/Content/Features/DLife/Millbug/
http://www.fool.com/Features/1998/sp980914y2k001.htm

2) "Reconstructionism" promotes the idea that Christians should work to institutionalize Old Testament law in our secular societies, thereby "Christianizing" society and preparing it for a post-millennial return of the Lord. A decade ago North wrote much about this, and spoke fondly of the dark ages as a time when church and family values were high. A better known reconstructionist, R.J. Rushdoony, is also involved with Y2k, but is somewhat more balanced than North.

3) The "illuminati", according to Todd, were an elite group of world leaders who were involved in a worldwide conspiracy against God, Christians, and the social fabric of our country. Christians were told to quit their jobs, buy guns, and move to mountain hideaways to protect themselves against the illuminati. While Todd's outlandish statements should have been seen as patently ridiculous (eg. every rock music album sold had a demon inside it; C.S. Lewis was not a Christian, but a leading warlock; etc.), many Christians (including some of my college friends) believed him. He was definitively unmasked as a fraud in the late 70's or early 80's (by both Christianity Today magazine and Spiritual Counterfeits Project, I believe).

4) I assume that readers have already considered basic disaster preparedness (for earthquakes, tornadoes, power failure, etc.) and prepared for such eventualities as they feel appropriate. If one were truly convinced (unlike me) that Y2K will cause a serious disruption, it may be appropriate to expand these preparations slightly. But the Y2k doomsayers urge radical measures, FAR beyond basic disaster preparedness. Some encourage saving as much as a year's supply of food and installing hand-pumped wells and wind or solar power systems!

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