In the United States, about 40 percent of adults believe in an apocalyptic final conflict. A substantial percentage also believe that Jesus' Second Coming will occur in their lifetime. Geopolitical conflicts, and especially the US-Iraq conflict, are often considered evidence of a nearing end-time.

Widespread end-time beliefs are worth watching, not so much as theological phenomena, but because what people believe relates closely to how they think and act.

Apocalyptic beliefs are not uniform across Christianity. Among evangelicals, though, end -time beliefs typically include: personification of evil in people who are thought to embody Satan or Antichrist; linkage of Israel's restoration and triumph over its enemies to the Second Coming; and, widespread acceptance, even welcoming, of war and conflict as the fulfillment of God's will.

At this moment in history, it is encouraging to hear the voices of those who are seeking cooperative solutions for the many conflicts between belief systems, nations, and cultures. Dr. Levi Price is one of those voices. Dr. Price directs the pastoral ministry program at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and he was the subject of our March 17,2003, cover story.

A few weeks ago, this widely respected Texas Baptist minister visited our offices in Boston. At one point he was asked for his views about cooperation among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. "Once we get through this 'in-between time' to postmodern [times]," Dr. Price replied, "I think we will cooperate with the people of love in all faiths. We will fight evil with the people of love in all faiths. We will cooperate in terms of fighting evil, for instance, in our cities, [in] taking a stand for what is right, a stand for peace."

Dr. Price also foresees a broader cooperation among Christians. "The things that make each of us Baptists or Christian Scientists or whatever," he said, "will still be real." But Dr. Price envisions a time when Christians will "take a stand together before the world," and he expects this stand to be "softer than what we see—particularly among evangelical Christians—today. It will be softer, more caring, more ministry-oriented."

To Islamic scholar Sayyed Nasr, all three "Abrahamic faiths" suffer from "the shrill voice of the exclusivists" —those who say "only myself and my cousin are saved, and everybody else goes to hell" (The New York Times, March 14, 2003). It is exclusivism and extremism, however, and not the people who hold these beliefs, that eventually must fall to God's relentless love.

We agree with Dr. Price that, ultimately, our world can only be gentled through spirituality, authenticity, inclusiveness, and the love that sees beyond appearances and surface differences to our common heritage as God's sons and daughters.

It is this God-derived love that empowers endurance, especially in times of conflict. Love also impels courage—in diplomatic arenas as certainly as on battlefields.

Yes, there are and will be wars, but warfare of itself does not solve national or international disagreements. Nor will terrorism be stopped by force of arms alone. Combat may alter the physics of relationships, but war cannot reach hearts and change minds for the better. Ultimately, the only desirable warfare is the struggle that goes on within each of us, as we battle thoughts that would injure others or cause self-destructive behavior.

In 1893, Sentinel founder Mary Baker Eddy wrote: "Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, lust, covetousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, or they will uproot all happiness. Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment ..." (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p.118).

"In-between or transitional times are seldom placid or pleasant. But the need for calm, courage, and vision are greatest when conflicts run hottest. Out of the calm that comes from knowing God is real and universal, new ideas will emerge and healing can come—including the promised healing of the nations.

Ending the sway of the world's tyrants and terrorists is an immediate goal that's shared by peace-loving people in every country. What about an end-time for tyrannical, terrorist mentality? The hopes that seem most distant require the greatest measures of courage and endurance. And we really need no other options than staying the course.