Strozier makes an interesting argument regarding time in Chapter Ten. According to Strozier, there are two kinds of time: chronological and kairotic. Kairotic is a qualitative measure of time, which is uneven and weighted in value and marked by one’s experiences. Strozier argues that the Book of Revelation marks time kairtoically because time switches back and forth from past to present.

One quote in this chapter that really stood out to me was: “An important consequence psychologically but also politically is to free fundamentalists from an obligation to the actual past and present, that is, the world as we know it. They are defined spiritually and ethically only by their relation to an imagined future.” This quote made me think about our past discussions on born-again Christians and how it was possible for them to live a pure life, even if their past life had been full of sin. With a kairotic mindset of time, the past becomes irrelevant when there is only the future to think about.

Another interesting dualism that Strozier presents in this chapter is the dualism behind evil: Evil is something that fundamentalists condemn but also embrace. They condemn sin and lead pure lives, but according to Strozier it is something that they also embrace because “it confirms their persecution and certainty of redemption.” It seems really un-Christian for a group to wish for sin and evil among others just so that it will cement their standing of purity. Furthermore, it was even more disturbing to hear a lack of sympathy for sinners.

I think that the most powerful section of Strozier’s tenth chapter is “Seven: Redemption”. In this section, Strozier has presented a dualism that the Book of Revelation can be used for good but it can also be used for evil. It was surprising to me that it has inspired others to promote positive social change. I guess when I think about the Book of Revelation, I always think of fundamentalists groups. I think that Strozier makes such a powerful statement when he says: “But it is frankly disturbing to witness the current uses of the text by privileged white Americans. There is great potential for violence when the ruling class feels victimized.”