Christ as the truth by which all truth is tested

"From the eighteenth century onward, Europe turned away from the Christian vision of man and his world, accepted a radically different vision for its public life, and relegated the Christian vision to the status of a permitted option for the private sector. But for the modern church to accept this status is to do exactly what the early church refused to do. It is, in effect, to deny the kingship of Christ over all of life - public and private. It is to deny that Christ is, simply and finally, the truth by which all other claims to truth are to be tested. It is to abandon its calling. (Lesslie Newbigin Foolishness to the Greeks p102)

Employment in the post-Enlightenment West is virtually synonymous with accepting that Christian faith is a permitted option for the private sector only - while denying the kingship of Christ over all of life. As a teacher in the public schools, signing a non-proselytism agreement was a condition of employment, and as an employee at a major financial services firm, I was reprimanded for sharing good news with my colleagues - precisely because they believe that belief is 'private' and not public. My experiences are anything but isolated.

In such a situation, I see little alternative but for Christians to have integrity by announcing the kingship of Christ over all of life. Some will be forced out the door of their current employment, while others will see their colleagues converted through their courage. I believe that the call of the gospel to entrepreneurship both proclaims the kingship of Christ over all of life and creates workplaces that are truly tolerant. As long as Christians accept the public/private division, I see little hope that the Spirit will be pleased to turn many to Christ through our witness.

Growth for the sake of growth

"Since Adam Smith, we have learned to assume that exponential growth is the basic law of economics and that no limits can be set to it. The result is that increased production has become an end in itself; products are designed to become rapidly obsolete so as to make room for more production; a minority is ceaselessly urged to multiply its wants in order to keep the process going while the majority lacks the basic necessities for existence; and the who ecosystem upon which human life depends is threatened with destruction. Growth is for the sake of growth and is not determined by any overarching social purpose. And that, of course, is an exact account of the phenomenon which, when it occurs in the human body, is called cancer." (Lesslie Newbigin Foolishness to the Greeks p115, emphasis mine)

In light of looming recession, Newbigin's words are extremely apropos. We have come to think that cancerous growth is normal, and even essential - even though we are aware that it is built on greed and exploitation of the poor and the environment. If we would embody the Good News of Christ, we must find ways to engage in sustainable, healthy economic growth.

No refuge in the ghetto

"Of course, as contemporary history proves, Christians can live and bear witness under any regime, whatever its ideology. But Christians can never seek refuge in a ghetto where their faith is not proclaimed as public truth for all. They can never agree that there is one law for themselves and another for the world. They can never admit that there are areas of human life where the writ of Christ does not run. They can never accept that there are orders of creation or powers or dominions that exist otherwise than to serve Christ." (Lesslie Newbigin Foolishness to the Greeks p115) [emphasis mine]

It is impossible for us to engage in the public sector without realizing that we have done exactly what Newbigin forbids. We have sought refuge in the ghetto of private, domestic faith - and have therefore denied the truth of it. The challenge for entrepreneurs (which I feel acutely) is to create opportunities in a way that announces Christ as King - rather than denying his Kingship.

Return from haitus

I've taken some time away from blogging here because I've been occupied with working on Tumblon and simply haven't had time. Now, however, my work at Tumblon is forcing me to think again about gospel entrepreneurship, and I have come across some excellent writers who are helping me think through it. So I'll be posting excerpts from their works over the next days and weeks (assuming I can keep my head above water).

I'll be posting business related stuff on the Tumblon blog.

Can Business be Mission?

It is rare that I read a magazine from cover to cover. In fact, I think that I can say that I've never done it, until this week. I picked up the recent issue of Mission Frontiers magazine because of the cover, titled Can Business be Mission?

Ralph Winter, longtime advocate of frontier missions says:

"Really big and sudden changes in the world of missions don't come often. But now one is upon us."

That big change is the mobilizing of Christians to start businesses that manifest and extend the good news of Christ to the ends of the earth in ways that don't confine the reign of Christ to the church.

Unlike the Christianity Today treatment, which is very general, numerous articles in the Missions Frontiers issue tackle the issues of what distinguishes missional business, how it is effectively done, and why it is so critical. Here is a summary of the articles, and you can download the whole issue here.

When Business Can be Mission: Where Both Business and Mission Fall Short
Ralph D. Winter

Making God the Hero-King of the Great Commission Company
Tom Steffen

Over-Steering a Cadillac
Frank L. Roy

Mission Agencies: Infrastructure, Passion, Business as Mission?
Justin Forman

Business as Mission: Kingdom Focused Companies
Justin Forman

Business: Poverty's Long-Term Solution
Chris Page

Raising Local Resources
Glenn Schwartz

You will find in this magazine the theological backbone that guides effective gospel entrepreneurship, written by those who are actively engaged in that work. I highly recommend it!

The Mission of Business

I was quite surprised to see that the cover story of Christianity Today related to Business as Mission. It was heartening to hear that there is a groundswell of interest in what they call 'business as mission.'

BAM "is the big trend now, and everyone wants to say they're doing it," says Steve Rundle, associate professor of economics at Biola University. (source)

That is both exciting, and dangerous. I am deeply encouraged that the division between the spiritual and economic spheres is being demolished; yet I fear that lack of theological depth and spiritual maturity will beget yet another wave of misguided Christian enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, I didn't find the article tremendously helpful in clarifying how BAM is different from social entrepreneurship (besides motivations). I think that there is likely a lot more depth to the individuals highlighted than comes out in the article. Nonetheless, I'm encouraged by the public call for Christians to be actively involved in creating organizations that meet real needs, create opportunities, and give opportunities to share the good news with vendors, clients and employees.

The true administration of justice

This morning I passed the court house on the way to jury duty and read the inscription above the court:

"The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government."

This maxim is no less true for good business. The true administration of justice by the government creates the environment in which its citizens (and their enterprises) can flourish. Yet regardless of the degree to which a government truly administers justice, business establish themselves firmly by doing the administration of justice in all their affairs.

I don't think John Owen overstates the case when he says:

"The greatest mercies and blessings that in this world we are made partakers of, next to them of the gospel and the covenant of grace, come to us through this channel and conduit ['the proper work of magistracy' i.e. good government]" (Overcoming Sin and Temptation p352).

May God give to those who have tasted of grace the ability to truly administer justice!