Heaven and Earth
Heaven and Earth is a major theme of Bible and a major part of living radically for Jesus in the here and now (see About RadicalNow!). If we’re not as radical as Heaven — meaning rooted in God as our source and part of his revolution of transformation — we’re not going to make much of an impact on the here and now of the Earth. On the other hand, if we don’t do the work of being present in the here and now on the Earth — the work of Contextualization — it doesn’t matter how heavenly radical we think we are; no one will be able to access or experience what we bring.
Heaven and Earth are tied up in who Jesus is — God in a human — the Incarnation. His person and practice brought Heaven and Earth together, and it remains the central aim of his followers and Kingdom:
9 Pray like this:
“‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
10 Let your Kingdom come.
Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. — Matthew 6:9-10 WEB
See also: Phil 2:5-11, Rev 21:1-4
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. — Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV
Posts and topics use the Heaven and Earth tag.
The Three Heaven and Earth Mindsets
We can Contextualize Heaven and Earth by exploring three mindsets related to Heaven and Earth. These mindsets are often revealed in our priorities, actions, and results despite our confession.
Hedonism
(Earth-only)
Life is about a particular physical experience; having what I need and want. Spirituality — which is really sensuality — can get God on your side so you can get the life your want.
Incarnation
(Heaven and Earth)
While the spiritual should rule the soul and flesh — our earthly experience — knowing God in us is holistic filling us with life and transforming the Earth according to the will of Heaven
Gnosticism
(Heaven-only)
The spiritual person and state is totally separate from our physical experience. You can experience anything or do anything good or bad and none of it touches the “spirit you”
Hedonism Example: Some worship that focus primarily on an enriching or emotional experience for the participants can actually be sensual rather than spiritual. If the participants don’t show signs of growing in God evidenced by greater character or joining him on mission (beyond volunteerism), the worship may be an Earth-focused enterprise that did not legitimately elevate them to Heaven despite the intentions of the leaders.
Gnosticism Example: Members of the global persecuted church who have visited America have remarked that at the amazing freedom and opportunities Christians here have for growth and ministry. Yet, they find it heartbreaking that our society does not show more signs that people are following Jesus. They think we may have a problem of being overly-educated and under-obedient. Or, as some would say, “we’re so heavenly minded were of no earthly good” to our neighbors.
Incarnational Example: There have been historical movements in missions that have focused almost exclusively on meeting physical needs and other movements that have focused only on trying to spread Christian ideology and theology. Much of modern missions is trying to join these two: the best way to teach theology and meet people’s needs is to recognize Jesus is with people and will disciple them so they grow as they solve each other’s physical needs in love informed by a deeper understanding of God.
Heaven and Earth and The Journey Map
Heaven and Earth are joined on The Journey Map mission and ministry framework through the first place: (1) Mercy Mission. Mission means being sent by God, just as Jesus was and did with his followers. This is the real will of Heaven compelling us to action. But our ability to translate this into our lives and lives of others is based on conformity to God’s Mercy — his loving way of making space, opening access, and translating everything for our interaction. Mercy Mission is “the place that stays with us” and is the Incarnational center of our journey because it is the identity we share with Christ — God in us — as we travel with him.
| The Land of Belonging “so we can belong to him” | The Land of Becoming “so we can become his family” | The Land of Believing “so we can believe in his Kingdom” | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (α) Heaven | |||
| Entrance: Incarnation | 2. The Story Zone to enter the potential and pain of our story | 4. Growth Journey to grow us on our journey with God | 6. Movement to rise empowering movement in the Spirit |
| 1. Mercy Mission God so loved the world that he sent Jesus… | (∴) Immersion to immerse us into God’s identity and family | (✛) The Cross to die showing us love overcomes sin and death | Exit: Iteration |
| 3. Revelation Rhythm to reveal God’s power over demon’s, disease, death, and dogma* | 5. Calling Into Gifts to call us into using our gifts to help others and glorify God | 7. Multiplication to spread his rule until he returns and recreates the world. | |
| (β) Earth |
While all the remaining places on the map are both Heaven and Earth — and the point of spiritual journey is to continuously bring these together, the position of places on the map show a Heaven or Earth or Heaven and Earth emphasis:
Heaven Emphasis
Earth Emphasis
Heaven and Earth Emphasis