The Millennial Inventory: A New Instrument to Identify Pre- Versus Post- Millennialist Orientation

Abstract

Millennialism is an influential topic in peace studies and religious literature, and is generally divided into the following two subcategories: premillennialism and postmillennialism (Galtung, 1965, 1985; Kay, 1999; Mason, 2004). Premillennialists subscribe to the belief that Christ will initiate the beginning of the millennial age (Galtung, 1964). Postmillennialists believe that Christ will come after the millennium has already been prepared by his followers. According to Mason (2004) pre- and postmillennialists tend to share different perspectives on peacebuilding practices, namely that postmillennialists feel it is their individual responsibility to work toward conditions of peace and social prosperity. On the other hand, premillennialists have a potential to relinquish moral responsibility, or to demonstrate a certain "passivity" or "quiescence" toward, building the kingdom of God (Mason, 2004, p. 29). A nine-item Millennial Inventory (MI) was developed to detect a religious individual’s millennialist orientation within four theoretical subcategories (poverty, righteousness, unity, and kingdom of God). A confirmatory factor analysis suggests that this model is appropriate for use (Joreskog=0.96, rmsea=0.045, Cronbach=0.65, etc.). The MI showed convergent validity with the Social Justice Scale (Torres-Harding, Siers, & Olson, 2012). Participants who scored high on the postmillennialist items of the MI scored high on intentions to participate in social justice activities (r=.21). Participants who scored high on the premillennialist items of the MI perceived that individuals around them were more likely to engage in social justice practices (r=.21). It is expected that this instrument will allow further research into this influential but relatively unexplored arena of religious thought.

Save as a Favourite

Author Information
David Staves, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Kyle Madsen, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Zachary Tilton, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Emily Sinkovic, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Chad Ford, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Boyd Timothy, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA
Ronald M. Miller, Brigham Young University - Hawaii, USA

• Category: Religion - Religion and Peace Studies

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

All Posts