Two Callings, One Mission

A number of scholars point out the parallel between the cultural mandate in Genesis 1 (“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”) and the so-called Great Commission in Matthew 28 (“Go and make disciples of all nations.”). They argue Jesus is rephrasing the cultural mandate in light of human sin in exile from Eden, and in light of his in-breaking kingdom. If that’s right (and I think it is), then as followers of Jesus we have a dual vocation. Not one, but two callings. The original calling—to rule over the earth. To make culture. And a new calling—to make disciples. To help people come back into relationship with the Creator, so that they can rule over the creation. Not just so they can get forgiveness and go to heaven when they die. But so that they can come back from heaven and rule over the earth as they were always supposed to.

—John Mark Comer, Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human