Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Vision
Ecology 
A common struggle shared by many pastors is articulating a vision for their church and ministry which can motivate and mobilize the people of God for seeking His Kingdom in all areas of life.

When we consider how hard the Lord Jesus worked, in all His parables and teaching, to cast a vision of the coming Kingdom – all its value, scope, expanse, power, and appeal – we can only wonder where the problem lies. For too many churches and pastors, it seems the animating vision of their ministries is to perpetuate the status quo indefinitely into the future.

Commonly known as not “rocking the boat.”

Everybody lives on the basis of some vision of what their lives should be, or might be, or what they long to realize, achieve, experience, or fulfill. But for many of us, our vision, such as it is, is trapped in our experience, and not in our Word-drenched and faith-stretched imaginations. We can’t imagine ourselves being or doing anything other than we’ve always been or done. We’re not going to be the ones to rock the boat, and we’re certainly not going to get out of it and try walking on the waves.

But why should unbelievers have all the good vision?

Dr. Edward O. Wilson, the renowned biologist, is nothing if not visionary. Writing in the 29 February 2016 issue of Aeon, Dr. Wilson calls for a concerted effort to achieve a return to the Garden of Eden, if not in our lifetime, then at least in the not-too-distant future (“Half-Earth”).

His vision is of a world where 80% of life species existing today are preserved and thriving, and humans are enjoying a fuller and more rewarding life at the same time. His approach to achieving this vision is twofold: Conserve 50% of earth’s land and water surface free from human development, and reduce the ecological footprint of humankind – that amount of earth required for people to flourish – through a combination of existing technologies and cutting edge science, especially biology.

Dr. Wilson insists, “If people are to live long and healthy lives in the sustainable Eden of our dreams, and our minds are to break free and dwell in the far more interesting universe of reason triumphant over superstition, it will be through advances in biology.” Human beings, he explains, are “stewards” of the earth and its species, and we need to do a better job than at present if we are to preserve the planet as a suitable home for all.

Dr. Wilson, as is apparent, is no fan of religion, except when borrowing its ideas and metaphors suits his own secular purposes.

“It is past time,” Dr. Wilson writes, “to broaden the human future and connect it to the rest of life.” There is much to agree with here, and some important points with which to take issue. However, absent any similar vision from the Christian community, Dr. Wilson’s – or some version of it – is likely to mark the world’s path toward its longed-for biological and ecological Eden.

And the same is true in every other area of life as well.

Jesus cast a clear, compelling, and most appealing vision of the coming Kingdom of God. Believers today have mostly set that vision aside and are settling for some version of personal peace and prosperity – together with the promise of eternal life – as the most they dare hope for in this life.

Unless believers in all walks of life take up the work of vision-casting along the lines of the Kingdom of increasing righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit (Rom. 14.17, 18; Is. 9.6, 7), someone else will set the agenda for the future of our culture, society, and children.

And they may or may not be hospitable to our “superstitious” views about such things as heaven, eternal life, and God’s glory.

For reflection
1.  How would you describe the vision that animates your life?

2.  Would you describe your church leaders as “visionary”? Why or why not?

3.  Which of Jesus’ many parables do you consider to be the most visionary? In what way?

What does it mean to seek the Kingdom of God, as Jesus commands? What is the Kingdom? What does it look like as it comes on earth as in heaven? Talk with some Christian friends about these questions.

T. M. Moore

Stretch your vision of Christ and His Kingdom by ordering a copy of T. M.’s book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store (click here).

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.