The Influence of Creation and Eschatology on Worldview and Mission: Part 7 (Conclusion)

A New Kind of Restoration Movement
     I would like to propose a new kind of “Restoration Movement”.  I believe that we must learn to see “worldview development” as one of the primary aims of the church.  This is crucial for children’s and youth ministries. However, because of the dearth of attention it has been given in some churches and the Escapist turn it has taken in others, communities of faith would be wise to place substantial emphasis on worldview formation in general for everyone.  We must teach the people of God to once again locate themselves within the Story.  Until we understand who we are, where we are, what the problem is, and identify the solution, the church will never function as God intends and dreams for it to.  Is it possible that the Escapist worldview that is so dominant in North America has actually been producing “disciples” who end up more self-centered rather than less?  What if the church learned to see itself inside God’s Story, partnering with Him to turn the world right-side-up?  We look forward to the Day when the Messiah returns and the dream that we’ve been pouring our lives into comes to fruition.  We press forward into God’s future of peace, harmony and Shalom.  We believe that God never gave up on the Creation He loves, and we can’t wait to see what He’s going to do with it.  We believe that those who have gone on before will be back to see it with us.  We believe that the God who created the cosmos has the power to make all things new.

Resources

1. Bell, Rob…Velvet Elvis: Repainting The Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005


2. Campolo, Tony and McLaren, Brian D…Adventures In Missing The Point.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, 2003


3. Grenz, Stanley J…Theology For The Community of God. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000


4. Moltmann, Jurgen…In The End—The Beginning. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004


5. Warren, Rick…The Purpose Driven Life.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002


6. Wittmer, Michael E…Heaven is a Place on Earth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004


7. Wright, N.T….Creation and New Creation in the New Testament. Vancouver: Regent Audio, 2003


8. ________...Paul for Everyone: Romans Part 1.  Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004


9. ________...Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters.  Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004


10. _________...The New Testament and the People of God.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992


11. _________...”Farewell to the Rapture,” Bible Review, August 2001