The document discusses two views of the human situation - a conventional view and an emerging view. It then compares how Jesus may have responded to questions about the crisis under each view. The conventional view is that humanity is doomed to hell due to imperfection, while the emerging view is that humanity has rebelled and filled the world with evil. Jesus' message under the conventional view is about individual salvation, while under the emerging view it is about transforming the human condition and following a new path.

5. Call 911!

6. Christ’s good news
Our global emergencies

7. A story about
a youth camp

8. Conventional View Emerging View
The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but
Situation: What but because our primal human beings – as individuals, and as
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

9. 2 questions: Conventional View Emerging View
From Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a
The Human
Situation: What
God created the world as perfect,
but because our primal
is the story that
we find
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
not maintain the absolute
God created the world as good, but
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in?
Revolution of Hope
perfection demanded by God,
God has irrevocably determined
that the entire universe and all it
contains will be destroyed, and
like a terrible disease. God wants to save
humanity and heal it from its sickness,
but humanity is hopelessly lost and
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
What are the top global
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
problems?
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
What does the message of Jesus
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”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.
say to those problems?
2
This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

10. Top Global Problems:
High Noon (20)
The Human
Situation: What
we find
Conventional View
God created the world as perfect,
but because our primal
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
not maintain the absolute
Emerging View
God created the world as good, but
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
United Nations University (15)
contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
Copenhagen Consensus (10)
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
Millennium Development Goals (8)
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
1
Of course, there are many modern western non-religious ontologies and framing stories too,
PEACE plan (5)
plus Eastern ontologies and framing stories – both religious and irreligious.
2
This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

11. United Nations University: The State of the Future
Top Fifteen Challenges: How can …
1. … sustainable development be achieved for all?
2. … everyone have sufficient clean water without
Conventional View Emerging View
The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but
Situation: What but because our primal human beings – as individuals, and as
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups – have rebelled against God and
conflict?
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
3. … population growth and resources be brought into
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
balance?
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
4. … genuine democracy emerge from authoritarian
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
regimes? How did Jesus
respond to the
crisis?
want to be among those
specifically qualified to escape
being forever punished for your
sins in hell, you must repent of
your individual sins and believe
groups – including your own religious
leaders - are leading you farther and
farther astray. I have been sent by God
with this good news – that God loves
humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
5. … policymaking be made more sensitive to global long-
that my Father punished me on
the cross so He won’t have to
punish you in hell. Only if you
believe this will you go to
heaven when everyone else is
God graciously invites everyone and
anyone to question and reject what they
have been told and instead follow a new
path. Trust me and become my disciple,
and you will be transformed, and you will
term perspectives? banished to hell.”2 This is the
good news.
participate in the transformation of the
world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
6. … the global convergence of information and
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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
communications technologies work for everyone?
7. … ethical market economies be encouraged to help
reduce the gap between rich and poor?

12. 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? Conventional View Emerging View
10. … shared values and new security strategies reduce ethnic
The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but
Situation: What but because our primal human beings – as individuals, and as
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
conflicts, terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass
God has irrevocably determined
that the entire universe and all it
contains will be destroyed, and
the souls of all human beings –
humanity and heal it from its sickness,
but humanity is hopelessly lost and
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
destruction? Basic
exempted – will be forever
punished for their imperfection
in hell.1
Since everyone is doomed to
human beings will spiral downward in
sickness and evil.
Since the human race is in such desperate
11. … the changing status of women help improve the human
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
condition? Jesus’ message:
can God help individuals be
happy and successful until then?
Jesus says, in essence, “If you
contemporaries: living under domination
by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
12. … transnational organized crime networks be stopped from
respond to the
crisis?
specifically qualified to escape
being forever punished for your
sins in hell, you must repent of
your individual sins and believe
leaders - are leading you farther and
farther astray. I have been sent by God
with this good news – that God loves
humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
becoming more powerful and sophisticated global enterprises?
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
13. … growing energy demands be met safely and efficiently?
banished to hell.”2 This is the
good news.
participate in the transformation of the
world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
14. … scientific and technological breakthroughs be
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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
accelerated to improve the human condition?
15. … ethical considerations become more routinely
incorporated into global decisions?

13. 8 Millennium Development Goals:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
The Human
Conventional View
God created the world as perfect,
Emerging View
God created the world as good, but
3. Promote gender equality and empower
Situation: What
we find
ourselves in?
but because our primal
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
not maintain the absolute
perfection demanded by God,
God has irrevocably determined
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
filled the world with evil and injustice
like a terrible disease. God wants to save
humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
women. contains will be destroyed, and
the souls of all human beings –
except for those specifically
exempted – will be forever
punished for their imperfection
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
wandering farther and farther into
lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
human beings will spiral downward in
sickness and evil.
4. Reduce child mortality.
in hell.1
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
5. Improve maternal health.
Jesus’ message:
go to heaven after they die? How
can God help individuals be
happy and successful until then?
Jesus says, in essence, “If you
specific outworking among his
contemporaries: living under domination
by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
6. Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria, and other
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
diseases. the cross so He won’t have to
punish you in hell. Only if you
believe this will you go to
heaven when everyone else is
banished to hell.”2 This is the
anyone to question and reject what they
have been told and instead follow a new
path. Trust me and become my disciple,
and you will be transformed, and you will
participate in the transformation of the
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”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.
8. Develop a global partnership for
2
This reflects a Calvinistic Evangelical protestant version of the message. The popular Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
development

14. Copenhagen Consensus Top 10
Global Problems
1. Hunger and malnutrition
Conventional View Emerging View
The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but
Situation: What but because our primal human beings – as individuals, and as
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
2. Climate change
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God,
God has irrevocably determined
that the entire universe and all it
contains will be destroyed, and
the souls of all human beings –
like a terrible disease. God wants to save
humanity and heal it from its sickness,
but humanity is hopelessly lost and
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
wandering farther and farther into
3. Conflicts
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
4. Financial Instability
questions did
Jesus come to
answer?
questions: how can individuals
be saved from eternal
punishment in hell and instead
go to heaven after they die? How
can God help individuals be
question: what must be done about the
mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
the general human condition and its
specific outworking among his
contemporaries: living under domination
5. Water and Sanitation
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
6. Subsidies and Trade Barrierssins in hell, you must repent of
your individual sins and believe
that my Father punished me on
the cross so He won’t have to
punish you in hell. Only if you
with this good news – that God loves
humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
God graciously invites everyone and
anyone to question and reject what they
have been told and instead follow a new
7. Population/Migration
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
8. Communicable Diseases
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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
9. Education
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
10. Governance and Corruption

15. Rick Warren’s PEACE Plan
1. Promote reconciliation to reduce
Conventional View Emerging View
conflict. The Human
Situation: What
we find
ourselves in?
God created the world as perfect,
but because our primal
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
not maintain the absolute
perfection demanded by God,
God has irrevocably determined
God created the world as good, but
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
filled the world with evil and injustice
like a terrible disease. God wants to save
humanity and heal it from its sickness,
2. Equip servant leaders to combat
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
corrupt leadership
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
3. Assist the poor through
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
humanitarian aid (poverty)
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
4. Care for the sick to combat disease
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
5. Educate the next generation to
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant
combat ignorance

16. 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 regimes

17. spiritual emptiness corrupt leadership
poverty disease ignorance hunger
and malnutrition climate change
conflicts Financial Instability Water/
emergencies
Sanitation subsidies/trade barriers
population/ migration communicable
GLOBAL
diseases education governance/
corruption hunger education
FOUR
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
regimes

18. Societal Machine

19. Machine: a
complex tool
Prosperity
fashioned to
achieve a
desire.
Societal Machine

20. Prosperity
Security
Societal Machine

21. Prosperity
Equity Security
Societal Machine

22. Prosperity
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem

23. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem

24. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem
Framing Story

25. Heat
Solar Energy
The Ecosystem

26. Heat
Solar Energy
The Ecosystem

27. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources Waste
Equity
Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem
EMERGENCY 1. A Prosperity System that is plundering
earth’s resources and poisoning the earth with toxins. (The
crisis of the planet.)

28. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources Waste
Equity
Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem

29. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Waste
Resources
Equity
Security
Societal Machine
EMERGENCY 2. An Equity System that helps a rich
minority 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.)

30. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Waste
Resources
Equity
Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem

31. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Waste
Resources
Equity
Security
Societal Machine
EMERGENCY 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.)

32. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem

33. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem
Framing Story

34. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
EMERGENCY 4. The Failure of the
World’s Religions to provide a
framing story to address the first Framing Story
three crises - i.e. Good News. (The
crisis of purpose.)

36. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …

37. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination

38. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution

39. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution
Purification/Scapegoating

40. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution
Purification/Scapegoating
Isolation

41. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution
Purification/Scapegoating
Isolation
Accumulation

42. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution
Purification/Scapegoating
Isolation
Accumulation
Victimization

43. Instead, our world religions can
usually be found in support of existing
framing stories of …
Domination
Revolution
Purification/Scapegoating
Isolation
Accumulation
Victimization
This is remarkably similar to the religious
situation in Jesus’ day.

45. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans

46. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots

47. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots
Purification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees

48. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots
Purification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees
Isolation - Essenes

49. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots
Purification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees
Isolation - Essenes
Accumulation - Wealthy Judeans

50. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots
Purification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees
Isolation - Essenes
Accumulation - Wealthy Judeans
Victimization - Poor Galileans, sinners, lepers,
outcasts

51. Domination - Sadducees, Herodians, Romans
Revolution - Zealots
Purification (Scapegoating) - Pharisees
Isolation - Essenes
Accumulation - Wealthy Judeans
Victimization - Poor Galileans, sinners, lepers,
outcasts
Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.

52. Good news - announcement of a new
regime, administration, victory.
Kingdom - reigning, relationships,
values, laws, customs: the unified whole
God - which one?

53. 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 confronts the oppressors ...
A God who exposes the hypocrites ...
A God who sides with the poor …
A God who is present with us …
A God bigger than organized religion …

55. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.

56. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...

57. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love

58. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation

59. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion

60. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing

61. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing
Accumulation - Self-giving & sacrifice

62. Jesus proclaimed a radically different
framing story … Good news of the
Kingdom of God.
Instead of ...
Domination - Service & Love
Revolution - Forgiveness & Reconciliation
Purification (Scapegoating) - Embrace & inclusion
Isolation - Incarnation & Healing
Accumulation - Self-giving & sacrifice
Victimization - Empowerment & Mission

64. Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing
story … Good news of the Kingdom of God.

65. Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing
story … Good news of the Kingdom of God.
PROSPERITY - through love of neighbor as self,
pursuit of common good, learning from birds &
flowers

66. Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing
story … Good news of the Kingdom of God.
PROSPERITY - through love of neighbor as self,
pursuit of common good, learning from birds &
flowers
EQUITY - through concern for the least of these,
seeking justice for all

67. Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing
story … Good news of the Kingdom of God.
PROSPERITY - through love of neighbor as self,
pursuit of common good, learning from birds &
flowers
EQUITY - through concern for the least of these,
seeking justice for all
SECURITY - through forgiveness and reconciliation,
turning other cheek, walking second mile

68. Jesus proclaimed a radically different framing
story … Good news of the Kingdom of God.
PROSPERITY - through love of neighbor as self,
pursuit of common good, learning from birds &
flowers
EQUITY - through concern for the least of these,
seeking justice for all
SECURITY - through forgiveness and reconciliation,
turning other cheek, walking second mile
SPIRITUALITY - through loving God “in spirit and
truth,” with all one’s heart, soul, mind, strength

69. 4 Emergencies:
The Human
Situation: What
Conventional View
God created the world as perfect,
but because our primal
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did
Emerging View
God created the world as good, but
human beings – as individuals, and as
groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
Planetary crisis (Prosperity)
contains will be destroyed, and
the souls of all human beings –
except for those specifically
exempted – will be forever
punished for their imperfection
in hell.1
confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
wandering farther and farther into
lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
human beings will spiral downward in
sickness and evil.
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
Poverty crisis (Equity)
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
Peace-making crisis (Security) that my Father punished me on
the cross so He won’t have to
punish you in hell. Only if you
believe this will you go to
heaven when everyone else is
banished to hell.”2 This is the
God graciously invites everyone and
anyone to question and reject what they
have been told and instead follow a new
path. Trust me and become my disciple,
and you will be transformed, and you will
participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”3 This is the good news.
Religious crisis (Spirituality)
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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

70. Ivan Illich (Austrian
former priest,
philosopher, social
critic, 1926-2002)

72. 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 …

74. … 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.

75. … 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.

76. … 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)

77. Heat
Solar Energy
Prosperity
Resources
Waste
Equity Security
Societal Machine
The Ecosystem
Good News of the
Kingdom of God

78. Conventional View Emerging View
The Human God created the world as perfect, God created the world as good, but
Situation: What but because our primal human beings – as individuals, and as
is the story that
ancestors, Adam and Eve, did groups – have rebelled against God and
we find not maintain the absolute filled the world with evil and injustice
ourselves in? perfection demanded by God, like a terrible disease. God wants to save
God has irrevocably determined humanity and heal it from its sickness,
that the entire universe and all it but humanity is hopelessly lost and
contains will be destroyed, and confused, like sheep without a shepherd,
the souls of all human beings – wandering farther and farther into
except for those specifically lostness and danger. Left to themselves,
exempted – will be forever human beings will spiral downward in
punished for their imperfection sickness and evil.
in hell.1
Basic Since everyone is doomed to Since the human race is in such desperate
Questions: What hell, Jesus seeks to answer these trouble, Jesus seeks to answer this
questions did questions: how can individuals question: what must be done about the
Jesus come to be saved from eternal mess we’re in? The mess refers both to
answer? punishment in hell and instead the general human condition and its
go to heaven after they die? How specific outworking among his
can God help individuals be contemporaries: living under domination
happy and successful until then? by the Roman empire, and divided into
various competing sects.
Jesus’ message: Jesus says, in essence, “If you Jesus says, in essence, “Other people and
How did Jesus want to be among those groups – including your own religious
respond to the specifically qualified to escape leaders - are leading you farther and
crisis? being forever punished for your farther astray. I have been sent by God
sins in hell, you must repent of with this good news – that God loves
your individual sins and believe humanity, even in its lostness and sin.
that my Father punished me on God graciously invites everyone and
the cross so He won’t have to anyone to question and reject what they
punish you in hell. Only if you have been told and instead follow a new
believe this will you go to path. Trust me and become my disciple,
heaven when everyone else is and you will be transformed, and you will
banished to hell.”2 This is the participate in the transformation of the
good news. world, which is possible, beginning right
now.”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 Roman
Catholic version might say, “You must believe in the teachings of the church and follow its
instructions, especially those regarding sacraments.” The popular mainline or liberal Protestant

88. There are many reasons to
compare our churches to an
old male tortoise …

89. There are many reasons to
compare our churches to an old
male tortoise …
Slow-moving … isolated …
Ancient-looking
withdrawn in its shell … won’t stick
its neck out

90. There are
many
reasons to
compare the
changes in
our world to a
tsunami …

91. There are many reasons to
compare the emerging global
culture to an orphaned hippo …
Orphaned by religion …
science … government …
the economy … technology …
consumerism… “progress”…

93. -formation?
What could happen in our world
if we turned back outward
toward our neighbors - with
good news, hope, gentleness,
and respect?

94. Our Father, above us and
all around us …
May your unspeakable
Name be revered.
Here on earth may your kingdom
come.
On earth, as in heaven, may your will
be done.

95. Give us today our bread for
today.
Forgive us our wrongs as we
forgive.
Lead us away from the perilous trial;
liberate us from the evil.

96. For the kingdom is yours and yours alone,
the power is yours and yours alone, and the
glory is yours and yours alone,
Now and forever. Amen.