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Transcript of Everythingmustchange2
the gospel
and global crises
A story about a youth group …
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
2 questions:From Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a
Revolution of Hope
What are the top global problems?
What does the message of Jesus say to those problems?
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
Top Global Problems:
High Noon (20)
United Nations University (15)
Copenhagen Consensus (10)
Millennium Development Goals (8)
PEACE plan (5)
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
United Nations University: The State of the FutureTop Fifteen Challenges: How can …1. … sustainable development be achieved for all?2. … everyone have sufficient clean water without conflict?3. … population growth and resources be brought into balance?4. … genuine democracy emerge from authoritarian regimes?5. … policymaking be made more sensitive to global long-term perspectives?6. … the global convergence of information and communications technologies work for everyone?7. … ethical market economies be encouraged to help reduce the gap between rich and poor?
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
8. … the threat of new and reemerging diseases and immune micro-organisms be reduced?9. … the capacity to decide be improved as the nature of work and institutions change?10. … shared values and new security strategies reduce ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass destruction?11. … the changing status of women help improve the human condition?12. … transnational organized crime networks be stopped from becoming more powerful and sophisticated global enterprises?13. … growing energy demands be met safely and efficiently?14. … scientific and technological breakthroughs be accelerated to improve the human condition?15. … ethical considerations become more routinely incorporated into global decisions?
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
8 Millennium Development Goals:1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.2. Achieve universal primary education.3. Promote gender equality and empower women.4. Reduce child mortality. 5. Improve maternal health.6. Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other diseases.7. Ensure environmental sustainability.8. Develop a global partnership for development
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
Copenhagen Consensus Top 10 Global Problems
1. Hunger and malnutrition2. Climate change3. Conflicts4. Financial Instability5. Water and Sanitation6. Subsidies and Trade Barriers7. Population/Migration8. Communicable Diseases9. Education10. Governance and Corruption
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
Rick Warren’s PEACE Plan1. Plant churches to combat spiritual emptiness2. Equip servant leaders to combat corrupt leadership3. Assist the poor through humanitarian aid (poverty)4. Care for the sick to combat disease5. Educate the next generation to combat ignorance
spiritual emptiness corrupt leadership poverty disease ignorance hunger and malnutrition climate change conflicts Financial Instability Water/Sanitation
subsidies/trade barriers population/ migration communicable diseases
education governance/corruption hunger education gender inequality child
mortality maternal health environmental sustainability ethnic conflicts terrorism
weapons of mass destruction organized crime networks energy demands clean water population growth authoritarian
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FOUR GLOBAL CRISES
Societal Machine
Societal Machine
Prosperity
Machine: a complex tool fashioned to
achieve a desire.
Societal Machine
Security
Prosperity
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
Societal Machine
EquitySecurity
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
Resources Waste
Crisis 1. A Prosperity System that can’t stop growing beyond environmental limits, resulting in multi-faceted environmental crises. (The crisis of the planet.)
Societal Machine
EquitySecurity
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
Resources Waste
Societal Machine
EquitySecurity
Prosperity
Heat
Solar Energy
Resources Waste
2. An Equity System that can’t keep pace with the growing gap between the rich minority and the poor majority, resulting in suffering, resentment, and fear. (The crisis of poverty.)
Societal Machine
EquitySecurity
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
Resources Waste
Societal Machine
EquitySecurity
Prosperity
Heat
Solar Energy
Resources Waste
3. A Security System that arms rich and poor with more and more catastrophic weapons, resulting in vicious cycles of crime, mass migration, terrorism and anti-terrorism. (The crisis of peace.)
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Framing Story
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Framing Story
4. The Failure of the World’s Religions to provide a framing story capable of healing the societal machine - i.e. Good News. (The crisis of purpose.)
SIX FRAMING STORES TYPICALLY DIRECT HUMAN SOCIETIES:
1.THE DOMINATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH BEING IN CONTROL
“If only we were in charge!” (Empire)
2. THE REVOLUTION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF OPPRESSORS.
“If only THEY weren’t in control!” (Revenge)
3. THE PURIFICATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH NAMING, BLAMING, SHAMING, AND EXCLUDING A DANGEROUS MINORITY.
“If only THOSE PEOPLE would change - or disappear.”(If only a minority would change.) (Scapegoating/Genocide)
4. THE VICTIMIZATION STORY: NO PEACE AND SECURITY (and identity) UNTIL AN INJUSTICE IS REDRESSED.
“If only our oppressors would be brought to justice.” (If only they
would change.) (Alienation)
5. THE ISOLATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH WITHDRAWING FROM THE CORRUPT, DOOMED MAJORITY.
“If only we could be left alone to be ourselves by ourselves.”
(Elite/elect remnant)
6. THE ACCUMULATION STORY: PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH ACCUMULATING POSSESSIONS IN A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY.
“If only we could buy, enjoy, and stockpile what we desire.”
(Economic Advantage)
DOMINATION PURIFICATION
ACCUMULATION
VICTIMIZATION
REVOLUTIONISOLATION
DOMINATION PURIFICATION
ACCUMULATION
VICTIMIZATION
REVOLUTIONISOLATION
CONFLICT!
Hypocrisy:Religions can intentionally or
accidentally baptize, support, legitimize, and camouflage the six destructive framing stories.
They can cover up a wolf-ish message in sheep’s language.
A Dangerous Possibility:
Even so-called Christian religions can lose Jesus’ story, and instead use biblical language to camouflage one or more of history’s violent framing stories.
RELIGIOUS DOMINATION
RELIGIOUS
PURIFICATION
RELIGIOUS
ACCUMULATIONRELIGIOUS VICTIMIZATION
RELIGIOUS REVOLUTION
RELIGIOUS ISOLATION
DOMINATION PURIFICATION
ACCUMULATION
VICTIMIZATION
REVOLUTIONISOLATION
AN ALTERNATIVE STORY?
DOMINATION PURIFICATION
ACCUMULATION
VICTIMIZATION
REVOLUTIONISOLATION
NEW CREATION/ RECONCILIATION
Domination - Romans, Sadducees, HerodiansRevolution - ZealotsPurification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees Isolation - EssenesAccumulation - Judeans, landowners, stewardsVictimization - scapegoated “sinners,” servants, Galileans, Samaritans, women, children, poor (beggars, demoniacs)
Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Good news - announcement of a new regime, administration, victory.
Kingdom - reigning, relationships, values, laws, customs: the unified whole
God - which one?
The kingdom of God …
A God who forgives …A God who includes …A God who notices …A God who serves …A nonviolent God who reconciles …A God who heals …A God who transcends boundaries …A God who sides with the poor …A God who is present …A God bigger than organized religion …
Domination: Us over them
Revolution: Us versus them
Purification: Us versus some of us
Victimization: Us in spite of them
Isolation: Us away from them
Accumulation: Us competing with them.
Kingdom of God/New Creation/ Reconciliation: Some of us for all
of us.
Non-Domination: Service
Non-Revolution: Nonviolent subversive action
Non-Purification: Eating with outcasts
Non-Victimization: Your faith has saved you!
Non-Isolation: Physicians come to the sick
Non-Accumulation: Seek first God’s kingdom and justice
Kingdom of God/New Creation/ Reconciliation: Love God, love
neighbor, love enemy, proclaim good news
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Domination, Revolution, Purification, Isolation, Victimization,
Accumulation?
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Good News of the Kingdom of God?
There are many “kingdoms” or power structures or social arrangements or ways of life available in this world …
But they set people against each other … above and against the environment … even against themselves.
There is another kingdom … another system … another way of arranging life … another path to prosperity, equity, and
security.
It is the original way, the Creator’s way, the way of prosperity through service and stewardship, security through
reconciliation and peace-making, and equity through justice and the pursuit of the common good. This is the way of the
kingdom of God, the way of Jesus.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into
Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God
has come near. Repent and believe the good
news!Mark 1:15
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Ivan Illich (Austrian former priest,
philosopher, social critic, 1926-2002)
Neither revolution nor reformation can ultimately change a society, rather you must tell a new powerful tale, one so persuasive that it sweeps away the old myths and becomes the preferred story …
… one so inclusive that it gathers all the bits of our past and our present into a coherent whole, one that even shines some light into the future so that we can take the next step…. If you want to change a society, then you have to tell an alternative story.
- attributed to Ivan Illich (Austrian former priest, philosopher, social critic, 1926-2002)
The outcome will depend in large measure on the prevailing stories that shape our understanding…. Perhaps the most difficult yet essential aspect of this work is to change our stories…. Thus, the true believers of the New Right gained power not by their numbers, which were relatively small, but by their ability to control the stories …
- David Korten, The Great Turning, p. 20, 237
[Jesus] dedicated his life to changing the prevailing stories.
- David Korten, The Great Turning, p. 20, 237, 261
The idea of Jesus as the messianic Christ and founder of an imperial church was a reconstruction that did not come to fruition until nearly three centuries after his crucifixion, when the emperor Constantine embraced Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. Christianity has served empire ever since, lending moral legitimacy to unconscionable violence and oppression in the name of the man whose life was devoted to teaching love and compassion.
- David Korten, The Great Turning, p. 259
The essence of struggle is neither endurance nor denial. The essence of struggle is the decision to become new rather than simply to become older. It is the opportunity to grow either smaller or larger in the process. There is, then, a gift hidden in the travails of forced change. It is the gift of beginning again: conversion.
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- Sister Joan Chittister, Scarred
by Struggle, Transformed by
Hope, p. 22
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
4 Crises:
Planetary crisis (Prosperity)
Poverty crisis (Equity)
Peace-making crisis (Security)
Purpose crisis (Spirituality/story)
Societal Machine
Equity Security
Prosperity
The Ecosystem
Heat
Solar Energy
ResourcesWaste
Good News of the Kingdom of God
What will happen?
What will you and I do?
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis:Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
There are many reasons to compare our churches to an old male tortoise …
Our God who makes us one family …
May your unspeakable Name be revered.
Now, here on earth may your commonwealth come…
On earth, as in heaven, may your dreams come true.
Give us today our bread for today.
Forgive us our wrongs as we forgive.
Lead us away from the time of trial,
Liberate us from the evil.
For the kingdom is yours and yours alone,
the power is yours and yours alone,
the glory is yours and yours alone,
Now and forever. Amen.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Amen.
Now, here on earth may your commonwealth come…
On earth, as in heaven, may your dreams come true.
Conventional View Emerging View
The HumanSituation: Whatis the story thatwe findourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,but because our primalancestors, Adam and Eve, didnot maintain the absoluteperfection demanded by God,God has irrevocably determinedthat the entire universe and all itcontains will be destroyed, andthe souls of all human beings –except for those specificallyexempted – will be foreverpunished for their imperfectionin hell.1
God created the world as good, buthuman beings – as individuals, and asgroups – have rebelled against God andfilled the world with evil and injusticelike a terrible disease. God wants to savehumanity and heal it from its sickness,but humanity is hopelessly lost andconfused, like sheep without a shepherd,wandering farther and farther intolostness and danger. Left to themselves,human beings will spiral downward insickness and evil.
BasicQuestions: Whatquestions didJesus come toanswer?
Since everyone is doomed tohell, Jesus seeks to answer thesequestions: how can individualsbe saved from eternalpunishment in hell and insteadgo to heaven after they die? Howcan God help individuals behappy and successful until then?
Since the human race is in such desperatetrouble, Jesus seeks to answer thisquestion: what must be done about themess we’re in? The mess refers both tothe general human condition and itsspecific outworking among hiscontemporaries: living under dominationby the Roman empire, and divided intovarious competing sects.
Jesus’ message:How did Jesusrespond to thecrisis?
Jesus says, in essence, “If youwant to be among thosespecifically qualified to escapebeing forever punished for yoursins in hell, you must repent ofyour individual sins and believethat my Father punished me onthe cross so He won’t have topunish you in hell. Only if youbelieve this will you go toheaven when everyone else isbanished to hell.”2 This is thegood news.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people andgroups – including your own religiousleaders - are leading you farther andfarther astray. I have been sent by Godwith this good news – that God loveshumanity, even in its lostness and sin.God graciously invites everyone andanyone to question and reject what theyhave been told and instead follow a newpath. Trust me and become my disciple,and you will be transformed, and you willparticipate in the transformation of theworld, which is possible, beginning rightnow.”3 This is the good news.
1 Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.2 This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular RomanCatholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow itsinstructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant