How we live a new age
Did you know the average American supermarket carries 38,900 items? There are dedicated aisles for breakfast cereals, frozen meals, soft drinks, and snacks, presenting an overwhelming array of choices: over 100 cereal options, 300 types of frozen dinners, and thousands of beverages under one roof. We certainly lack for nothing, at least not in the basics of eating and drinking. We have progressed from the „age of scarcity“ our grandparents experienced—a norm since the dawn of time—to what some now call „the age of abundance.“ This has never happened before.
This abundance spills over beyond supermarket shelves, infiltrating every facet of our lives. From the media we consume to the technology we use, we have endless choices and possibilities. Such vast abundance indicates that many of us have climbed Maslow’s pyramid, advancing beyond basic needs like food and safety to higher-order pursuits.
One might assume this leads to greater happiness. If we are not worried about what to eat, life should be better, right? To a great extent, it is. And still, we remain as searching and fragile as ever. Ascending the human condition’s ladder doesn’t automatically lead to a more fulfilling life; it ushers in a new set of questions and challenges.
While our fight for daily survival has diminished, we now face the crisis of finding meaning and purpose in a world plenty. Overcoming material scarcity has shifted the focus to addressing inner scarcity. Peace, identity, and fulfillment become the new frontiers in our quest for a meaningful existence. However, the abundance around us often seem to hinder this pursuit, as we are drained by causing decision fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, and a constant struggle to create space amidst material abundance.
Many perspectives wrestle with these challenges – from Eastern philosophies to life coachings and leadership programmes. I propose examining these questions through the lens of the Kingdom of God, the central theme of Jesus‘ teachings. But whatever great Jesus said, we need to understand that he lived in a markedly different era and set of circumstances than us. How can this ancient perspective aid us today?
Why it’s complicated
How many items were in a supermarket in ancient Bethlehem? None. Medical knowledge was rudimentary, there was no running water in homes, no heating systems, and air travel for summer vacations was unfathomable; most people couldn’t even read.
Now, I believe Jesus‘ teachings are timeless and still offer valuable insights for navigating the complexities of our modern world. However, most of the individuals who analyzed these teachings, including greats starting from St. Augustine to Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther, lived in the thick of the Age of Scarcity. And context significantly influences one’s perceptions and interpretations.
Christian thinking and teachings emerged from and were tailored to an age of scarcity, focusing on the meeting of basic needs and finding a stable social space. This is age of scarcity stuff. And this then is the challenge: to reinterpret and rediscover the essence of Jesus ideas in a world defined by excess rather than lack.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted this shift and emphasized that the church needs to address not only the weak and needy but also the strong and self-sufficient. He spoke of an ideas he named „religionless Christianity“ and this seems to fit this shift right in the center. He said in the past, religion served to explain the inexplicable, such as sickness, disaster, and life after death. Now, with increased education and knowledge, these using Christianity to explain tough mysteries is not so important anymore. Religion seems like training wheels on a bike. This reevaluation isn’t merely an academic exercise but a vital quest to find a faith expression that speaks to the shift of a new age of abundance with a new set of questions.
Of course, the history of Christian teaching has something to give to us, even now in this day and age. But the challenge lies in exploring these ideas in a way that are radical and true and yet speak powerfully to the current context. But who has done this? And how to go about it? By critically examining and adapting these teachings, there is potential to unearth a more relevant and dynamic expression of faith—one that addresses the unique spiritual and existential quests of our time.
The Kingdom of God as a key in the Age of Abundance
Let’s see if the Jesus idea of the Kingdom of God is the key that opens new doors. I think it has some potential to navigate the complexities of our modern existence. To have a realistic chance of being helpful for us, the Kingdom of God needs to be understood and applied. This is the big game changer. The kingdom of God offers what can’t be found any other way. But many don’t understand it well, few practice it on a daily basis (hint: God-flow make it happen).
The age of abundance brings the shift from material scarcity to inner scarcity. Many feel it and it is discussed frequently. The quest for inner abundance isn’t new; many religious and secular traditions offer solutions to address it. Throughout the ages religious people emphasized prayer and peace, guidance and danger of material wealth. Secular people are into meditations and minimalism, mindfulness and mental health.
However, the Kingdom of God offers something unique. It is inherently relational, action-oriented and connected to something bigger. It provides a narrative and experiential depth that surpasses the inward or escapist tendencies prevalent in many other approaches. Secular pursuits of inner peace often revolve around self-exploration or inner attitudes aimed at achieving personal balance and well-being. In contrast, religious paradigms from the age of scarcity typically promoted withdrawal from the world, either in anticipation of eternal rewards or in search of inner spiritual experiences and resources.
The transformative aspect of the Kingdom of God lies in its call to engage actively with reality, integrating spiritual experience into the fabric of daily life. The Kingdom of God is joining God in his activities in our day and age, partnering in the renewal of all things. This encourages a dynamic interaction with the world, where spirituality is experienced not in isolation but through active participation in real life. The Kingdom of God provides a perspective where connecting with God is woven into the doing of both mundane and monumental tasks, making the sacred an intrinsic part of the secular.
This active engagement of the Kingdom of God speaks directly to the internal emptiness and distorientation in our abundant age. In contrast to the passive accumulation of material wealth or the solitary quest for personal enlightenment, the Kingdom of God offers new ways: a life characterized by meaningful action in bringing the renewal of all things; relational depth of relating to a loving Creator and the people he cares about; a grand story that reaches beyond us that gives us meaning and identity.
The antidote to the modern malaise of too much is not less, but more—more of the spiritual abundance that comes from living in alignment with the kingdom of God.
Understanding and applying the Kingdom of God can be the game changer in today’s world. It provides a way for not just coping with, but thriving in, the age of abundance. It calls for a radical shift from mere reactive and externally rewarded ambition to a richer, more integrated way of living. It combines spiritual, relational, and material realities. It places us in the middle of story that goes way beyond us and yet gives every day a meaningful contribution.
Six thought leaders
So, who is a good guide in this age of abundance? With society asking new questions, we anticipate fresh insights or different takes on classic themes. Here are six thinkers who are doing just that:
Richard Foster was a trailblazer in addressing the concept of spiritual wealth within a rich society. His book „Celebration of Discipline,“ a major hit upon its release in 1978, focused on simplicity and spiritual disciplines, offering a counter-narrative to the rising consumer culture. Foster’s approach stressed the importance of intentional living, encouraging individuals to seek fulfillment in spiritual practices and community life over material wealth.
Today, John Mark Comer does the same and he is widely popular. His popular „The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry“ is very in tune with modern life’s challenges and presents Christian teachings as a viable solution. Comer’s work is compelling as it bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary dilemmas, offering guidance for leading a purposeful life amidst modern-day distractions and excesses.
One of my heroes, Dave Schmelzer is always up for engaging with secular audiences and questions. He brings a fresh perspective to the conversation through his advocacy of contemplative practices. Dave’s work emphasizes the relevance of the richt history of contemplation in providing clarity and peace in a chaotic world. He is well-read and uses psychology, philosophy and popular culture to connect with a lot of secular people.
Rob Bell, with his ability to engage secular mindsets, offers biblical wisdom as an alternative to consumeristic problems. His talent lies in presenting the teachings of the Bible in a way that challenges and enriches the current understanding of happiness and fulfillment, demonstrating the applicability of these ancient teachings in addressing contemporary issues.
A little further back were two pioneers that touch on my idea of God-Flow. Brother Lawrence was a monk in the 17the century in France. His „Practice of the Presence of God“ was widely popular and has a playful tone of serving God in the hustle of a monestary kitchen. And Frank Laubach worked in the Philippines as an educator and in the 1970s put out a challenge to turn every minute into an active engagement with God. Their approaches were popular because they offered practical methods for cultivating a deep, continuous connection with God amidst the mundane tasks of everyday life.
All of these folks have significantly influenced modern spiritual practices and continue to inspire individuals seeking a deeper connection with God. Foster, Comer and Schmelzer are more inward-focused through contemplation and spiritual disciplines, creating space in the hustle to cultivate the soul and the vision of God. Lawrence and Laubach engage outwardly and put the presence of God in the midst of daily life. However, a comprehensive kingdom narrative that places individuals in the renewal of all things is lacking.
As we observe the shift to abundance and find some solutions, the Kingdom of God perspective remains absent, even by these pioneers. This shows a need for innovation and exploration. The missional church movement is one such experiment, aiming to rediscover and embody the Kingdom of God’s call to the renewal of all things. It is an ongoing search to find new ways to experience and recognize God’s presence, both inwardly and outwardly.
Time for a try
We all feel how the world is changing. The fight for food is over. The age of abundance shifts the focus towards addressing deeper spiritual needs and the quest for meaning and purpose in a world of plenty. The Kingdom of God can offer unique ways of addressing this shift.
This transition is not without its challenges, particularly given that much of Christian thought was developed in an age of scarcity. Christian thinkers, historically, have rooted their teachings in contexts where material need was prevalent, and survival often took precedence. Wit a new context, we need to reinterpret how the way of Jesus addresses the internal voids and existential questions. The Kingdom of God needs to be understood and applied for this to work. God-Flow is a key and unique in its approach.
We are invited to be part of a pioneering group that views Jesus‘ teachings as a guiding light, exploring what meaning and potential Jesus greatest idea holds for us today. The Kingdom of God is about integrating our spiritual beliefs with our actions, finding God in the mundane, and recognizing that every aspect of our lives is a part of a larger, divine narrative. This will address our quest for meaning, relationship, identity and direction.
Therefore, let us embrace the challenge and opportunity to live out the Kingdom of God in our lives, making every decision, action, and relationship a reflection of this invitation. By doing so, we step into a story much greater than ourselves, one that offers every day a chance to contribute to the renewal of all things.
siyach 