September 2016
So how do we view the changing environment we all find ourselves in? We can either decide that developments are negative and fight against the continued progress of Fourth Industrial technologies, or we can look for the opportunity that is inherent in the change. Resisting the change is not going to stop it. This is a worldwide phenomenon with impacts being felt throughout the world. Yes, there are different rates and specific impacts that are influenced by the local economic, political and social environment, but more and more the world is a confluence of integrated, interdependent systems. What happens in one part of the world is known and influences events in other parts of the world. Whether we like it or not, we will be impacted. Resistance will result in us being left
behind and allowing others to shape the future while we try and hide our heads in the sand. We will then get to live with the consequences of decisions and the resultant forces that did not necessarily take all interests and viewpoints into consideration. The enemy is therefore not the rapid rate of change and development; it is rather ignorance and a lack of education that adequately prepares people for the future.
So our response needs to be one where we genuinely see the opportunities that open up to us in this revolution. History shows us that as painful as continued development and“ revolution” tends to be, the end result is, to a greater measure than not, a better, more prosperous life for everyone.
From a biblical perspective we see these cycles throughout scripture. Richard Rohr( The Naked Now, pg. 111) writes:
“ In recent centuries, the Christian Churches were on the wrong sides of most human reformations and revolutions, until after these reformations succeeded. As a result, Christianity has often become ineffective or even in-credible to much of the world. Our history now works against us.”
God is not surprised by all this. If we respond to this revolution through God’ s view, it creates opportunity for His purposes to be made real throughout the world. So, before we consider the practical implications of how we need to prepare and re-order ourselves to be relevant and engaged in the coming revolution, the following provides the foundation of our approach.