If we reject the strong sense of this messianic time where it’s something real, then we’re left with the more psychological sense ala Nibley’s example of eschatology I linked to. That I have no problem with, but if messianic time is just a psychological different it seems to lose much of its weight.

What you outline is more of an analysis of how the psychology might work, if I’m understanding you. I think that’s an important point. Frequently there’s an assumption we’ll all react the same with a pending death. I don’t think that’s true.

I’m wondering if you can say more about the following point you express in your penultimate paragraph: “I think we have to be careful thinking through the philosophical element of being disjointed and out of time. I don’t have trouble with the philosophical notion. . . . I certainly don’t deny the difference in how we view the world when we truly think what it means to die soon. Yet philosophically I just don’t think the analysis of time works.” I don’t understand what you agree with and what you have a problem with (and why you hav a problem with it).

I’m especially interested in this topic from a practical perspective. On the one hand, I seem to draw closer to the Spirit when I don’t worry too much about the future and just try to trust that everything will work out (a “take no thought for the morrow” mindset).

On the other hand, however, I feel irresponsible when I’m not at least somewhat “worried about” or “concerned with” or “attentive to” (these three expressions are easily conflated for me and represent a continuum starting from a less-healthy attitude and moving toward a more-healthy attitude) my daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly affairs/matters/business.

Anyway, I think my struggle to properly grapple with the balance of feeling “in grace” and “free of stress” vs. being properly attentive to my tasks/projects/affairs is just a kind of existential manifestation of what you’re saying about what Adam is saying about time. And so, my hope is that if you express your philosophical qualms more clearly, it will help me figure out the tensions I’m struggling with myself (both existentially and philosophically!).