We are approaching a time when any person can electronically see and talk to any other person on earth whenever they desire. Humankind is becoming a very large social network. Theologian Ted Peters, in his book God: The World’s Future, predicted that a new world would be evolving in the future in which there would be a single planetary society united in devotion to the will of God. Based on past experience that would seem hard to believe, but in the 21st century we can already begin to see clues of the possibility.
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments to help the ancient Hebrews work together and care for each other. When Jesus was asked, which was the greatest commandment, he replied with two, “Love God with all your heart and mind and your neighbor as yourself.” Translating that into modern understanding, it means to love all of God’s creation including all people as well as the environment. He was suggesting the formation of a social network of loving people who would care for the earth and its inhabitants.
The history of Christianity includes many periods when misguided leaders made unification of humanity very difficult, but the Holy Spirit pressed on and God provided the gift of science to relieve suffering and improve transportation and communication. Christian missionaries spread out all over the world, healing the sick and teaching people to love and care for each other. Today the kingdom of God is evolving into a single planetary network of loving people, but persistent Christian teamwork is required. To better understand the role of science in the spread of the gospel, see the slide presentation.
Robert C. Frank
Author of Christ’s Team
