You're Supposed to Rule the World (Here's How)

Summary

In this video, Jon and Tim explore the concept of rulership in ancient times and the Bible, contrasting the self-proclaimed divine kings with the biblical view of humanity as God's image. They discuss how humans were given the task to 'rule' the Earth, which is exemplified by gardening and nurturing communities. The conversation delves into the human propensity for both good and evil, and how Jesus' life and resurrection offer a new model of rulership based on service and love. The video concludes with the vision of a renewed world where God's image is restored in humanity, leading to a future of healing and transformation.

Takeaways

• 👑 In ancient times, kings often claimed to be gods and referred to themselves as the image of God, giving them authority over people.
• 🚫 Unlike other cultures, Israel did not view their kings as gods and were forbidden from making images of God, believing that God himself had already made images in the form of humans.
• 🌍 In Genesis, God is depicted as the supreme authority who creates humans in his image and gives them the responsibility to rule over the Earth.
• 🧑‍🌾 The Bible presents human rule as an act of cultivation, akin to gardening, where humans harness Earth's potential to create and sustain life, communities, and societies.
• 📉 The Bible acknowledges that while humans have the potential to do good, they often choose to define good and evil on their own terms, leading to selfishness and evil.
• ✝️ The Bible presents Jesus as the solution to humanity's flawed rule, demonstrating a new way to rule by serving others and seeking their best interests, even at great personal cost.
• 🕊️ Jesus' life, death, and resurrection introduce a new future for humanity, where people are empowered to live in a way that reflects God's image and leads to true justice and goodness.
• 💖 The New Testament describes the new humanity that Jesus aims to create as being filled with qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.
• 🔄 The ultimate goal is the restoration of God's image in humanity, enabling people to move the human project forward in alignment with God's will.
• 🌟 The Bible ends with a vision of a renewed world where God reigns, and humanity, healed and guided by Jesus, rules in harmony with God's original plan.

Q & A

What was the role of kings in ancient Bible times?

In ancient Bible times, kings often claimed to be gods and called themselves the 'image of God.' They had the authority to define good and evil, command people, and order things to be made.

How did the concept of kings differ in Israel compared to other cultures?

In Israel, kings were not viewed as gods, and it was forbidden to make images of God. This was rooted in the belief that God, the Creator, could not be reduced to any one thing in creation.

Why did Israel refrain from creating images of God?

Israel refrained from creating images of God because they believed God had already made images of Himself—humans. This belief was unique for that time and culture.

When, according to the Bible, did God make humans in His image?

The Bible states that God made humans in His image during the creation story on page one of the Bible. Humans were created as the pinnacle of God's creative work and were given authority over all creation.

What is the significance of all humans being called the image of God?

The significance is that all humans were given the authority to rule, a task that was previously only associated with elite kings. This was a revolutionary statement, as it called all humans to participate in the human project of ruling the Earth.

How does Genesis describe the way humans are supposed to rule?

Genesis describes ruling as 'gardening,' where humans are to cultivate the Earth, harness its raw potential, and create something new. This includes growing food, building communities, and developing society.

What challenge does the Bible present regarding human authority and ruling?

The Bible presents the challenge of whether humans will use their authority for the benefit of others, according to God's definition of good, or for self-advantage, by defining good and evil for themselves.

What is the Bible's depiction of the human condition?

The Bible depicts the human condition as a mixture of great achievements and selfish actions that create evil. Despite their best intentions, humans often make a mess of things.

How does Jesus redefine the concept of ruling according to the Bible?

Jesus redefines ruling by serving others, seeking the best for others, and even loving his enemies. He confronted the consequences of evil and death and showed a new way to be human.

What does the New Testament claim about Jesus' impact on humanity?

The New Testament claims that Jesus' resurrection opens up a new future for humanity. It believes that Jesus' divine life and power are available to heal and transform humans, restoring God's image in them and enabling them to move the human project forward.