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Futureville: Discover Your Purpose for Today by Reimagining Tomorrow
Want to see the future? It is brighter than you think. What we believe about tomorrow determines how we live today. As Christians debate how to faithfully engage with our rapidly changing world, our vision of the future has never been more important. But rather than providing a clear sense of purpose for our lives, popular Christian ideas about the future steal it from us by saying our work in the world, apart from ministry, has no eternal value. Is it any wonder why young adults are less interested in church, or why a culture desperate for meaning and hope dismisses our message? In Futureville , Skye Jethani offers us a vision-shifting glimpse of the world of tomorrow described in Scripture. He reveals how a biblical vision of the future can transform every person’s work with a sense of purpose and dignity today. Futureville is a smart, inspiring call to cultivate the order, beauty, and abundance that reflects the heart and vision of God for our world.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
52 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Skye Jethani
26 books401 followersSKYE JETHANI is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Phil Vischer Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. He has been a sought after consultant for groups facing challenges at the intersection of faith and culture like The Lausanne Movement, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Interfaith Youth Core. Skye has authored three books, The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity, WITH: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, and Futureville. Skye and his wife Amanda have three children: Zoe, Isaac, and Lucy and reside in Wheaton, IL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 23, 2014
BEAUTIFUL CHURCH
For sometime I’ve dreamt about a different kind of church. I’ve had my moments of wanting to walk away from her and try it my own way. I didn’t. I continued to dream of a church that lived and loved like Jesus and brought restoration to the broken. Even now as I search for a pastorate, I long for and dream for the beautiful and for it to show up in and out of the church. Skye Jethani in his book Futureville not only challenges the individual but the church as well to plan for a better today by reimagining tomorrow. Tomorrow is our hope and our purpose is to share glimpses of the beauty in the “ordinary brokenness” of our worlds.
It didn’t take long for me to want to read more when Jethani began sharing how many fail to see the church as relevant to their lives. After several years of working with and teaching young people, I have found that many of them are ready to walk away. We were all created in the image of God and desire meaning and significance, but the problem is how we (or the church) look at the future and our place in the world today.
He spends much of the book giving a well laid out timeline as to how the church’s focus has changed. At one time, the focus emphasized evolving to a better tomorrow through acts of social justice and making a difference in the world. He also portrays the church’s obsession on evacuating – the end times and separation from this world. Both are shown not as evils but rather how both should be working together for good. Left alone they miss the proper future focus.
His book culminates with the possibility that the church should embrace everyone’s story and place in the world – an encompassing vision and mission beyond social justice or clergy calling. The church is called to celebrate and encourage each other’s gifts and “garden patches.”
My favorite illustration in the book shares part of Nelson Mandela’s prison or wilderness chaos story. Mandela could see the beauty of home from his prison cell but could not reach it. Instead of giving up hope, he brought beauty to the prison by cultivating a small patch of ground into a beautiful garden. This act of incarnation rather than evolution or evacuation is how beauty came to his chaotic world.
The church with a proper future focus will then celebrate personal value and every man and woman and the part they play in our world today. Jethani shares that “our faith affirms the God-given value of every person.” He devotes one chapter (probably one of my favorites) to the churches need to affirm the calling of the artist. He suggests that “perhaps Jesus would say, ‘Why do you bother them? They are doing beautiful things for me.’”
This book was a needed reminder to every reader that the church can be a beautiful place if she sets her sights on affirming everyone’s place in their world. The beauty of the church is her diversity and remembering that “everyone’s story matters.” I highly recommend this book, especially for those pastors who do want to make a difference rather than garner praise or a paycheck.
Thomas Nelson provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for this review which I freely give.
For sometime I’ve dreamt about a different kind of church. I’ve had my moments of wanting to walk away from her and try it my own way. I didn’t. I continued to dream of a church that lived and loved like Jesus and brought restoration to the broken. Even now as I search for a pastorate, I long for and dream for the beautiful and for it to show up in and out of the church. Skye Jethani in his book Futureville not only challenges the individual but the church as well to plan for a better today by reimagining tomorrow. Tomorrow is our hope and our purpose is to share glimpses of the beauty in the “ordinary brokenness” of our worlds.
It didn’t take long for me to want to read more when Jethani began sharing how many fail to see the church as relevant to their lives. After several years of working with and teaching young people, I have found that many of them are ready to walk away. We were all created in the image of God and desire meaning and significance, but the problem is how we (or the church) look at the future and our place in the world today.
He spends much of the book giving a well laid out timeline as to how the church’s focus has changed. At one time, the focus emphasized evolving to a better tomorrow through acts of social justice and making a difference in the world. He also portrays the church’s obsession on evacuating – the end times and separation from this world. Both are shown not as evils but rather how both should be working together for good. Left alone they miss the proper future focus.
His book culminates with the possibility that the church should embrace everyone’s story and place in the world – an encompassing vision and mission beyond social justice or clergy calling. The church is called to celebrate and encourage each other’s gifts and “garden patches.”
My favorite illustration in the book shares part of Nelson Mandela’s prison or wilderness chaos story. Mandela could see the beauty of home from his prison cell but could not reach it. Instead of giving up hope, he brought beauty to the prison by cultivating a small patch of ground into a beautiful garden. This act of incarnation rather than evolution or evacuation is how beauty came to his chaotic world.
The church with a proper future focus will then celebrate personal value and every man and woman and the part they play in our world today. Jethani shares that “our faith affirms the God-given value of every person.” He devotes one chapter (probably one of my favorites) to the churches need to affirm the calling of the artist. He suggests that “perhaps Jesus would say, ‘Why do you bother them? They are doing beautiful things for me.’”
This book was a needed reminder to every reader that the church can be a beautiful place if she sets her sights on affirming everyone’s place in their world. The beauty of the church is her diversity and remembering that “everyone’s story matters.” I highly recommend this book, especially for those pastors who do want to make a difference rather than garner praise or a paycheck.
Thomas Nelson provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for this review which I freely give.
September 5, 2021
This was fine—I didn’t dislike it at all, and I do love reading books about heaven and God’s kingdom come. It was not the best book I’ve read on the topic—I would more likely recommend Comer’s Garden City or Wright’s Surprised By Hope. All three books say similar things in different ways, and Futureville was fine, just not my favorite.
“Our hope, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is that a day is drawing nearer when the power of his resurrection will transform the world into Futureville, and the chaos, ugliness, and scarcity of the wilderness will be overcome by the order, beauty, and abundance of the garden city of God. Until then, we pray for the eyes to see the evidence of the garden all around us in the lives and faithfulness of Christ’s people and their works, and we seek to cultivate these glimpses for others as we listen to and obey is calling for our lives.” —pg. 183
“Our hope, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is that a day is drawing nearer when the power of his resurrection will transform the world into Futureville, and the chaos, ugliness, and scarcity of the wilderness will be overcome by the order, beauty, and abundance of the garden city of God. Until then, we pray for the eyes to see the evidence of the garden all around us in the lives and faithfulness of Christ’s people and their works, and we seek to cultivate these glimpses for others as we listen to and obey is calling for our lives.” —pg. 183
September 11, 2025
A great read in a time where the future feels so uncertain.
I will say, if you’re looking for step-by-step specifics on creating a world that looks more like God’s kingdom, this book is not for you. Think of it more as a manifesto.
I will say, if you’re looking for step-by-step specifics on creating a world that looks more like God’s kingdom, this book is not for you. Think of it more as a manifesto.
Read
September 26, 2021Not sure what to rate this book.
For one, it isn't a "fun"/fiction book (I read it for a foundations class at my university). The cover made me expect a fun, sci fi read (I shouldn't have expected that it would be a fun read for a class, but I was a little disappointed anyway).
Second, I didn't agree with everything. Parts of it felt wrong, like: the old earth not being destroyed and it merges with heaven? What about the verses in the Bible that say it will be destroyed? During class we asked our Professor as well. One guy knew the spesific verses in question, but we didn't get answers. I know that what heaven will be like in the long run doesn't really matter at this moment, but it was a little frustrating.
Third (and not a big deal), I would have preferred the style of the book to be a little different. I think this would be considered an instructional book? Either way, I would have preferred a bullet point like 1. this is what you will learn in this chapter before diving into it. That would have been cool.
In the end, there were some interesting things (like chapter 8) and the ideas seemed important even if I don't think that all of it was for me/I didn't agree.
cool cover though.
For one, it isn't a "fun"/fiction book (I read it for a foundations class at my university). The cover made me expect a fun, sci fi read (I shouldn't have expected that it would be a fun read for a class, but I was a little disappointed anyway).
Second, I didn't agree with everything. Parts of it felt wrong, like: the old earth not being destroyed and it merges with heaven? What about the verses in the Bible that say it will be destroyed? During class we asked our Professor as well. One guy knew the spesific verses in question, but we didn't get answers. I know that what heaven will be like in the long run doesn't really matter at this moment, but it was a little frustrating.
Third (and not a big deal), I would have preferred the style of the book to be a little different. I think this would be considered an instructional book? Either way, I would have preferred a bullet point like 1. this is what you will learn in this chapter before diving into it. That would have been cool.
In the end, there were some interesting things (like chapter 8) and the ideas seemed important even if I don't think that all of it was for me/I didn't agree.
cool cover though.
Currently reading
November 15, 2020I'm reading this book. I have MUCH appreciated all previous works I've read from Skye Jethani.
Several things have "caught" me already, in the sense that Skye appears to be pushing for a nice and popular conclusion about the Future, for modern followers of Christ... yet something just is NOT sitting right. So, here are my live notes as I go.
I am endeavoring to be a good "Berean" -- take note of things, investigate, not draw immediate conclusions.
* TWO - WILDERNESS. "He is not a Creator who rejects and replaces; he reconciles and redeems."
My sense: His desire is to reconcile and redeem. Yet for those who ultimately reject Him, I cannot come to the same conclusion. This is presented as an absolute: God does not reject and replace. AFAIK, a solid counter example: Sodom and Gomorrah. Rejected. In fact, destroyed in their entirety.
"The story of Israel is...the Creator beginning a plan to cultivate a new garden within the wilderness of the world... God's presence with his people is marked by the restoration of the garden."
My sense: nowhere do I see Jesus saying or implicating that his presence restored the garden. In fact, Jesus spoke in pretty apocalyptic terms himself?!
Jethani's examples (of wonderful miraculous survival in the midst of the wilderness) IS a story of God's presence, yet Jethani's conclusion appears a bit at odds with the reality.
Jethani: "Through this, the Israelites learned that the wilderness of the world could be transformed through the power and presence of God...Shalom could still be cultivated in the world through the grace of Israel's God."
Pete: Because of God's presence and power, Israel thrived in the wilderness. Yet the wilderness was decidedly not transformed. When they left, it was still what it always had been: wilderness.
---
(Based on Rev 21:3) "The unity shared between God and humanity at the beginning in the garden will be restored." YES oh yes. We live with him forever!
________
Jethani then presents three paths to the future.
QUESTION: Which, if any, are Biblical? (I'm looking at Rev 21:1, which simply says the Old "passed away." In greek, apelthan -- "to go out of existence; to cease to exist." This is in the aorist tense, which is infinite. Not a temporary state.)
Chap 3 - Evolution:
a) Assumes "continuous (linear) progress" ... eventual perfection "through Christian faith and advances in civilization." He quotes Kennedy, "Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man."
b) Observation of reality as a Carousel: endless cycles; what goes around comes around. "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
c) Efforts to fix it involve Crusaders: changing the world for Christ. He notes the shift from desiring influence through many disciples, to influence through "impact" via NGO's, and the sometimes-twisted priorities this brings.
Chap 4 - Evacuation:
a) The church as lifesaving station on a rugged coast... and the world a a lost cause. Ultimately the lifestation becomes comfortable and inwardly focused, saving no lives at all.
b) The view that nothing from this world will endure apart from rescued souls.
"If the world is to be utterly destroyed, separation is the only logical response. Escape the sinking ship, or sink with it."
Pete: WHY? What a depressing assumption, not in accord with any of the Bible.
- We have known from the start that our destiny is heaven, yet we are called to be stewards of the earth.
- We are called to keep our eyes on Jesus, yet also to love everyone.
I see NO indication that we are to escape what is to come, even though it may be a terrible thing.
- Did Paul escape?
- Did Jesus escape?
Some things he notes ARE true:
- Our ability to destroy all life
- Our spotty track record with technology (and environmentalism)
AND I could easily add:
- Our growing understanding that the earth, and the universe, could easily be destroyed in a moment and nothing we do could stop that.
I also FULLY agree that many believer our job is to disconnect from the world. (cf the 1997 research that the worst place to find a cross-cultural worker is in a Christian college or university)
He takes notes of the move toward "Islands of Decency"
Bottom line: "the path of evacuation is fueled by fear."
Chap 5 - Resurrection
MUCH I love...
Story of imprisoned Mandela and his garden. "an uncrossable sea between the world we desire and the one we occupy."
Jesus brought heavenly order to earth:
- Stormy chaos: calmed with a word
- Disease and death: restored to beauty and wholeness
- Hunger: abundance
He quotes N. T. Wright's view from 1 Cor 15, claiming "the cosmic scope of Jesus' resurrection as inaugurating the recreation of all things."
Jethani goes further: "The bond between Easter Sunday and the re-creation of the cosmos is a truth rooted in the New Testament."
Their (Jethani/Wright) list is:
* Jesus as first fruit, the "prototype for God's new, creative work."
* then "those who belong to Christ" are raised
* Then "all God's enemies will be destroyed, including death itself, and 'all things' will be made subject to God."
Pete Note: "All things" is not all of creation, not the cosmos. It is some large number of (unknown).
They then tie to Romans 8
Key passage: 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
- Delivered from corruption: set free. Doesn't say HOW. (Just as our own bodies are set free... through death!)
- Redemption of our body: also "set free" yet does not say how.
Jethani then says, "The world itself will be made new....Futureville is neither an ethereal heaven nor a replaced earth. It is the union of heaven and earth ainto a restored and glorified cosmos occupied by God and his people."
Jethani's conclusion: "What we find in the New Testament, however, is neither an unsatisfying nor limiting hope. We discover the hope of resurrection extending to all things--the entire cosmos that God created in the beginning..."
I now see clearly his confusion or misdirection, but let me finish the chapter :)
THE "NEW" -- Jethani goes into some detail.
* Jesus' new body was different (in many ways)
* He argues that Jesus' body was "changed" but NOT "replaced".
* He notes both continuity (remarkable sameness) and discontinuity (radical transformation.)
His conclusion is that the world will experience the same:
* redemption (continuity)
and
* transformation (discontinuity)
and THEREFORE this same earth will become Futureville.
He speaks about the word "new" for a while...
BUT SO FAR HE IGNORES THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: the old specifically is destroyed!
"Through the open gates the nations bring their glory and honor. They populate the city with the most beautiful artifacts of human culture..."
QUESTION: The first part is from Rev 21:24. The second part...??? No evidence. And NOTHING profane can enter!
=====
Pete's Response:
1) All of these completely ignore a simple, clear, statement:
Rev 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
"passed away" is parerchomai, "to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’"
Other uses of the exact same word:
Mt 24:25 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (twice!)
Mk 1:42 the leprosy left him and he was cleansed ("left")
Lk 21:32 this generation will by no means pass away until...
Acts 16:19 when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized... ("gone")
1 Cor 7:31 for the form of this world is passing away...
Jas 1:10 for as a flower of the field he will pass away
1 Jn 2:17 the world is passing away, and the lust of it...
1 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
("dissolved" reduced to ruin by tearing into pieces, destroy, tear down)
And perhaps the most helpful citation:
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
BOTTOM LINE (Including the rest)
I see no support for a "restored" creation that doesn't involved destruction of what we have.
I fully agree we're:
* not to be escapists;
* we ARE to be good stewards of the planet.
* Our vocations have significance because of Him
None of this is because of any concept that what we physically do will miraculously be transformed and retained for eternity.
Several things have "caught" me already, in the sense that Skye appears to be pushing for a nice and popular conclusion about the Future, for modern followers of Christ... yet something just is NOT sitting right. So, here are my live notes as I go.
I am endeavoring to be a good "Berean" -- take note of things, investigate, not draw immediate conclusions.
* TWO - WILDERNESS. "He is not a Creator who rejects and replaces; he reconciles and redeems."
My sense: His desire is to reconcile and redeem. Yet for those who ultimately reject Him, I cannot come to the same conclusion. This is presented as an absolute: God does not reject and replace. AFAIK, a solid counter example: Sodom and Gomorrah. Rejected. In fact, destroyed in their entirety.
"The story of Israel is...the Creator beginning a plan to cultivate a new garden within the wilderness of the world... God's presence with his people is marked by the restoration of the garden."
My sense: nowhere do I see Jesus saying or implicating that his presence restored the garden. In fact, Jesus spoke in pretty apocalyptic terms himself?!
Jethani's examples (of wonderful miraculous survival in the midst of the wilderness) IS a story of God's presence, yet Jethani's conclusion appears a bit at odds with the reality.
Jethani: "Through this, the Israelites learned that the wilderness of the world could be transformed through the power and presence of God...Shalom could still be cultivated in the world through the grace of Israel's God."
Pete: Because of God's presence and power, Israel thrived in the wilderness. Yet the wilderness was decidedly not transformed. When they left, it was still what it always had been: wilderness.
---
(Based on Rev 21:3) "The unity shared between God and humanity at the beginning in the garden will be restored." YES oh yes. We live with him forever!
________
Jethani then presents three paths to the future.
QUESTION: Which, if any, are Biblical? (I'm looking at Rev 21:1, which simply says the Old "passed away." In greek, apelthan -- "to go out of existence; to cease to exist." This is in the aorist tense, which is infinite. Not a temporary state.)
Chap 3 - Evolution:
a) Assumes "continuous (linear) progress" ... eventual perfection "through Christian faith and advances in civilization." He quotes Kennedy, "Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man."
b) Observation of reality as a Carousel: endless cycles; what goes around comes around. "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
c) Efforts to fix it involve Crusaders: changing the world for Christ. He notes the shift from desiring influence through many disciples, to influence through "impact" via NGO's, and the sometimes-twisted priorities this brings.
Chap 4 - Evacuation:
a) The church as lifesaving station on a rugged coast... and the world a a lost cause. Ultimately the lifestation becomes comfortable and inwardly focused, saving no lives at all.
b) The view that nothing from this world will endure apart from rescued souls.
"If the world is to be utterly destroyed, separation is the only logical response. Escape the sinking ship, or sink with it."
Pete: WHY? What a depressing assumption, not in accord with any of the Bible.
- We have known from the start that our destiny is heaven, yet we are called to be stewards of the earth.
- We are called to keep our eyes on Jesus, yet also to love everyone.
I see NO indication that we are to escape what is to come, even though it may be a terrible thing.
- Did Paul escape?
- Did Jesus escape?
Some things he notes ARE true:
- Our ability to destroy all life
- Our spotty track record with technology (and environmentalism)
AND I could easily add:
- Our growing understanding that the earth, and the universe, could easily be destroyed in a moment and nothing we do could stop that.
I also FULLY agree that many believer our job is to disconnect from the world. (cf the 1997 research that the worst place to find a cross-cultural worker is in a Christian college or university)
He takes notes of the move toward "Islands of Decency"
Bottom line: "the path of evacuation is fueled by fear."
Chap 5 - Resurrection
MUCH I love...
Story of imprisoned Mandela and his garden. "an uncrossable sea between the world we desire and the one we occupy."
Jesus brought heavenly order to earth:
- Stormy chaos: calmed with a word
- Disease and death: restored to beauty and wholeness
- Hunger: abundance
He quotes N. T. Wright's view from 1 Cor 15, claiming "the cosmic scope of Jesus' resurrection as inaugurating the recreation of all things."
Jethani goes further: "The bond between Easter Sunday and the re-creation of the cosmos is a truth rooted in the New Testament."
Their (Jethani/Wright) list is:
* Jesus as first fruit, the "prototype for God's new, creative work."
* then "those who belong to Christ" are raised
* Then "all God's enemies will be destroyed, including death itself, and 'all things' will be made subject to God."
Pete Note: "All things" is not all of creation, not the cosmos. It is some large number of (unknown).
They then tie to Romans 8
Key passage: 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
- Delivered from corruption: set free. Doesn't say HOW. (Just as our own bodies are set free... through death!)
- Redemption of our body: also "set free" yet does not say how.
Jethani then says, "The world itself will be made new....Futureville is neither an ethereal heaven nor a replaced earth. It is the union of heaven and earth ainto a restored and glorified cosmos occupied by God and his people."
Jethani's conclusion: "What we find in the New Testament, however, is neither an unsatisfying nor limiting hope. We discover the hope of resurrection extending to all things--the entire cosmos that God created in the beginning..."
I now see clearly his confusion or misdirection, but let me finish the chapter :)
THE "NEW" -- Jethani goes into some detail.
* Jesus' new body was different (in many ways)
* He argues that Jesus' body was "changed" but NOT "replaced".
* He notes both continuity (remarkable sameness) and discontinuity (radical transformation.)
His conclusion is that the world will experience the same:
* redemption (continuity)
and
* transformation (discontinuity)
and THEREFORE this same earth will become Futureville.
He speaks about the word "new" for a while...
BUT SO FAR HE IGNORES THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: the old specifically is destroyed!
"Through the open gates the nations bring their glory and honor. They populate the city with the most beautiful artifacts of human culture..."
QUESTION: The first part is from Rev 21:24. The second part...??? No evidence. And NOTHING profane can enter!
=====
Pete's Response:
1) All of these completely ignore a simple, clear, statement:
Rev 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
"passed away" is parerchomai, "to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’"
Other uses of the exact same word:
Mt 24:25 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (twice!)
Mk 1:42 the leprosy left him and he was cleansed ("left")
Lk 21:32 this generation will by no means pass away until...
Acts 16:19 when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized... ("gone")
1 Cor 7:31 for the form of this world is passing away...
Jas 1:10 for as a flower of the field he will pass away
1 Jn 2:17 the world is passing away, and the lust of it...
1 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
("dissolved" reduced to ruin by tearing into pieces, destroy, tear down)
And perhaps the most helpful citation:
2 Cor 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
BOTTOM LINE (Including the rest)
I see no support for a "restored" creation that doesn't involved destruction of what we have.
I fully agree we're:
* not to be escapists;
* we ARE to be good stewards of the planet.
* Our vocations have significance because of Him
None of this is because of any concept that what we physically do will miraculously be transformed and retained for eternity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2014
I think Jethani has great insight into how Christianity got to where it is today in America with respect to modernity, evolution, and then the emphasis on a "safe evacuation" from this earth. He proposes a path between evolution (Christians trying to make progress) and evacuation (Christians safely getting out of this world) with resurrection (our work counts for today and forever). Our view of the future, impacts what we do today.I really liked his section on beauty and art. Anyone who questions the validity of a Christian who wants to do art needs to read this book. I also appreciated his section on the Christian and business or marketplace. It helped me understand the parable of the talents, for example. A book worth reading, see my full review at http://bit.ly/1bIOC4v.
September 4, 2015
Jethani is a powerful author. His books, including this one, are poignant and they speak to many issues that get to the heart of what we are seeing in our churches today. Futureville is a vision for both the new creation and hope that we have as followers of Christ and it is also an invitation to embody those principles in our lives now. This book is filled with stories and personal experiences. I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2018
Had to read this for a foundations class. The chapters could have been half the size and still have gotten the same point across. However, the new ideas this book put in my head were interesting and very thought provoking- and I will not receive any answers until I die and live it- which isn’t too fun lol
March 1, 2016
Another great book from Jethani
I appreciate everything Skye Jethani has written. One of my favorite authors...he's honest and hopeful, pastoral and prophetic,with great insights and even better stories.
I appreciate everything Skye Jethani has written. One of my favorite authors...he's honest and hopeful, pastoral and prophetic,with great insights and even better stories.
March 17, 2014
Great book and insightful.
September 5, 2018
The time spent reading this was well worth it. It was an easy read, in the sense that the writing is accessible, but the concepts are well-worth deeply pondering. Jethani looks at the future as revealed in Scripture and looks at the various ways we tend to approach our lives here and now in light of that understanding of the future. If we misunderstand our future, we misunderstand our purpose. And if we misunderstand our purpose, we get a lot of things wrong in this life.
Some people look to evacuation - the main point is to get through this life and get to the next life with God (and bring as many people along as possible). Others look to a progressive future - the glorious future promised is one we can create ourselves if we simply keep working. Jethani reminds us that the Scriptures point us to something else - a redeemed future. While there are definitely things in this world that will pass away, there are some that will likely remain - those things that bring God honor and glory. And while we will never be able to obtain that promised future by our own actions (only Jesus at the final Resurrection can accomplish that), we are still commanded to live out the gospel in all areas of life.
So, how do we do this? What are the things we can do here and now that will exist into eternity? Jethani breaks those down into three categories: beauty, order and abundance. When we work to bring beauty to the world, we are awakening the hope of the ultimate Beauty; when we bring order to our own area of influence, we are fulfilling the command to subdue the earth; when we create abundance, we are able to share the blessings of God with one another. In each of these areas, we join God in bringing His Kingdom here.
I finished this book with so much greater hope for the future and joy in anticipation of what that will be. I highly recommend it.
Some people look to evacuation - the main point is to get through this life and get to the next life with God (and bring as many people along as possible). Others look to a progressive future - the glorious future promised is one we can create ourselves if we simply keep working. Jethani reminds us that the Scriptures point us to something else - a redeemed future. While there are definitely things in this world that will pass away, there are some that will likely remain - those things that bring God honor and glory. And while we will never be able to obtain that promised future by our own actions (only Jesus at the final Resurrection can accomplish that), we are still commanded to live out the gospel in all areas of life.
So, how do we do this? What are the things we can do here and now that will exist into eternity? Jethani breaks those down into three categories: beauty, order and abundance. When we work to bring beauty to the world, we are awakening the hope of the ultimate Beauty; when we bring order to our own area of influence, we are fulfilling the command to subdue the earth; when we create abundance, we are able to share the blessings of God with one another. In each of these areas, we join God in bringing His Kingdom here.
I finished this book with so much greater hope for the future and joy in anticipation of what that will be. I highly recommend it.
August 1, 2017
My brother had checked this book out from the library and it was lying on a counter when I picked it up, intending just to read a couple of paragraphs while waiting for the next activity with my brother's children on my week of vacation. Even though I've already read Jethani's "With" and found it helpful for myself and now use it in mentoring young adults, I didn't anticipate finishing this book this week. After all, I was here to spend time with my brother's family, and I had already started two OTHER books this week.
It didn't take long for me to decide a few things, however: 1) I should prioritize this book because I could take the other two books with me, and 2) this might need to be part two of my mentoring--and possibly recommended reading for the next online Bible study I will be leading next month.
The book is very readable, Jethani uses effective and memorable illustrations to make his points (I was particularly taken by the polymorphic cosmos idea), and his ability to crystallize vocation into three main types is helpful. I do wonder, though, which type of vocation Jethani sees as his. And I'm still not sure in which category to place mine, either.
It didn't take long for me to decide a few things, however: 1) I should prioritize this book because I could take the other two books with me, and 2) this might need to be part two of my mentoring--and possibly recommended reading for the next online Bible study I will be leading next month.
The book is very readable, Jethani uses effective and memorable illustrations to make his points (I was particularly taken by the polymorphic cosmos idea), and his ability to crystallize vocation into three main types is helpful. I do wonder, though, which type of vocation Jethani sees as his. And I'm still not sure in which category to place mine, either.
May 10, 2023
I thought this a little slow to get started, but excellent in perspective. Well-written and persuasive; the author looks at both secular and traditional Christian views on the 'new earth' as described in Scripture. He then points out that none is really coherent - that the new earth will be a transformation of all that's best about what we have now.
The consequence of this belief - and I felt that his explanation made a lot of sense - is that we should value all work towards order (in the broadest sense), beauty and abundance.
I found it overall encouraging, positive and thought-provoking. Perhaps a little repetitive in the final pages, and a tad heavy-going in places, but I would recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.
Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Four and a half stars, really.
The consequence of this belief - and I felt that his explanation made a lot of sense - is that we should value all work towards order (in the broadest sense), beauty and abundance.
I found it overall encouraging, positive and thought-provoking. Perhaps a little repetitive in the final pages, and a tad heavy-going in places, but I would recommend it to anyone interested in this topic.
Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Four and a half stars, really.
October 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! Jethani does a great job in showing how our ideas of the future impact the present. He looks at two common Christian interpretations - evacuation (escapist eschatology) and evolution (progress eschatology) - and shows their problems. He instead argues for resurrection (renewal eschatology). God will renew the earth instead of destroying and creating a new one. This has huge implications for today.
In speaking about this, I especially appreciate Jethani's practical approach. He talks about vocation and gives practical examples along the way of what this looks like. He also grounds his book in the Bible and has many personal stories to share as well.
Overall a great read!
In speaking about this, I especially appreciate Jethani's practical approach. He talks about vocation and gives practical examples along the way of what this looks like. He also grounds his book in the Bible and has many personal stories to share as well.
Overall a great read!
December 24, 2025
I consumed Skye Jethani’s book in a day or two. Using the New York World’s Fair as an analogy, he deftly confronts the lack of imagination and wrongly-aimed conjecture of the American church. The critique proves the garnish around vision casting for what both the church and earth could respectively be, if followers of Jesus saw the future as he does. What if we didn’t treat the world as disposable? What if we saw the Kingdom of God as having already started? What if every job or caregiver position was equally capable of showcasing the heart and values of our Creator? These pages introduced me to the difference between vocation and occupation and the connection they can share.
March 7, 2018
In Futureville, Skye Jethani has written a beautiful book positing that many of the problems that plague the modern church can be attributed to an inadequate vision of the future God promises. He offers healthier takes on the Bible’s view of vocation, order, beauty, and abundance that provide hope in the here and now: edifying chapters that I know I will be returning to from time to time for refreshment.
August 9, 2018
Just finished this book and I would highly recommend it! Skye writes with clarity and great theological and scriptural grounding. There are a few things he doesn’t address that I wish he had but you can’t do it all in one book 😊. His resurfacing and addressing the theology of vocation is worth the book alone! I’ll put some of my favorite quotes in the comments 👍👊 #orderbeautyabundance #vocation #getafterit
May 2, 2020
Well written, organized, convincing, and hope-inducing. Seems like Jethani’s life thesis put into a book. All about how we, as Christians, have callings in this world that go beyond the walls of the church. Just like Adam and Eve were called to create order, beauty, and abundance in the entire earth based on the Garden of Eden, we need to go and do the same based on the order in the Garden of Gethsemane. There is a new way based on that second garden.
February 22, 2021
It made me think...
I was really excited about this book, as I had heard many glowing reviews. I liked many of the concepts in the book, but I felt that he did a very poor job supporting some of his concepts. He’s more of a philosopher than a theologian. He’s too dismissive of some orthodoxy, and too presuppositional on some of his theory.
I was really excited about this book, as I had heard many glowing reviews. I liked many of the concepts in the book, but I felt that he did a very poor job supporting some of his concepts. He’s more of a philosopher than a theologian. He’s too dismissive of some orthodoxy, and too presuppositional on some of his theory.
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March 3, 2021SUCH a good book. We need this, in Western Christianity. It helps us consider how hope (and our eschatology) can impact our daily lives. Very rich few chapters on theology of vocation, and helpful provocations and challenges in that context. Very helpful follow-up to his great discipleship paragdigm-shifting book, WITH:Reimagining the Way You Relate to God.
December 27, 2019
This would be a really cool TED talk. The problem is that the premise only merits an essay and not an entire book. If you want to read the book for the premise, read the first chapter and skip the rest because it basically just repeats itself the entire rest of the book.
January 7, 2020
Great follow up to Skye's classic With.
As always, Skye brings his well read and insightful perspective to the reader in a receivable way.
Context matters, and Skye is great at giving context for how we've ended up where we are in the American Evangelical church.
As always, Skye brings his well read and insightful perspective to the reader in a receivable way.
Context matters, and Skye is great at giving context for how we've ended up where we are in the American Evangelical church.
August 18, 2023
Had to file this on my “abandoned/could not finish” shelf. I just can’t listen to more reasons why I should have a different/better relationship with God. Skye is a great author, I just can’t stomach the topic.
August 16, 2017
One of the important books for reforming Evangelicalism, of course the author won't be listened to, but hey his ideas are good.
July 21, 2017
Once again, Skye challenges believers to rethink how we relate to God, this time in terms of our future, both on earth and in His Kingdom.
September 8, 2019
This book stretched, strengthened and enlightened me. Open your eyes, heart and mind when you read this or don't read it at all.
September 22, 2019
Fantástico!!! Um dos livros reveladores que eu adoraria que fosse traduzido para português...
January 25, 2020
Thumbs up
Great
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Great
Hbbbhhhhuubvg b BBC bb big :-/ :-/ g g g g h b v. B v v v g
November 23, 2020
Excellent book that ties together the garden of Eden and the new creation from the narrative of scripture and how we participate in God's order, beauty, and abundance.
December 11, 2020
I love Jethani’s exposition on how to live well for the Kingdom of God in the varied complexities of our lives and vocations. This is a completely excellent book and I would commend it to anyone.
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