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Cosmission 2

The logic of cosmission starts at creation. God, Father, Son and Spirit, created the world (Gen 1:1-2; Jn 1:1-2; Col 1:16; Heb 1:1-3). He formed it and filled it with glorious vegetation and animal life. The process is disputed by 6-day literalists, old-earth creationists and theistic evolutionists and is not the point of this blog, but all authentic Christians agree: God created the heavens and the earth. He placed humanity in this world, male and female, in his image (Gen 1:27). This means, capable of relationship, creative, emotive, volitional and alive. The male and females are to become one, marrying and propogating the human race filling the earth, forming families of love and truth. Humanity was given 'ownership' in the sense of 'stewardship' for this world, the task of governing it and caring for it (Gen 1:28; 2:7).


This creation mandate lies at the heart of cosmission. The 'big picture' of humanity is utilising the wonderful gifts of God in creation and building the world of human society. It means exploring creation, reflecting its artistry and utilising the elements of creation to form a world. It means building community based on the agape of the Trinity, spreading out through the world, filling it with people and living in love. It is not a whimpish soft type of humanity that is in mind however, but a blend of nurture and courageous joyous exploration.

It is thus a tremendously exciting vision of God's image bearers graciously accepting his grace-offered gift of this world and their role as stewards, and building it. Ideally, they would do so within the boundaries he gives. Jumping ahead then, cosmission is seeking to live out the creation mandate of God to care for his world on his behalf, exploring it, utilising its resources, building with all that he has given us with beauty and love a glorious world.

I don't know about you, but I find this extraordinarily exciting. Cosmission!
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