Vitruvian Man, The Measure of All Things

Recently I was poking around wikipedia (what a great resource) and came across a very common image, da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. You know, you've seen it before.

What struck me is a statement by an Italian political leader that the image represents "man as the measure of all things."

If this is true, it belies the humanistic leanings of the Renaissance and our modern culture. There concept that "God as the measure of all things" does not register with much of our culture. I, man, am the final authority, the final arbiter of truth. What a frightening thought, yet one that is as old as the sun. We read in the ancient Hebrew Scriptures that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21.25)

I am certain this is not a unique thought to me, but it is one that impacted me upon viewing this image.

Rapid Urbanization

According to a recent article from Credit Suisse, Megacities: A New Barcelona Forms Every 10 Days

The United Nations (UN) estimates that the proportion of the world’s population living in cities will rise dramatically from today’s 50 percent to 60 percent by 2030. This is the equivalent of a new city the size of Barcelona being created every 10 days.The United Nations (UN) estimates that the proportion of the world’s population living in cities will rise dramatically from today’s 50 percent to 60 percent by 2030. This is the equivalent of a new city the size of Barcelona being created every 10 days.

This raises many points for discussion.

The evolution of the world into a global society defined by city dwellers will therefore also impact upon capital markets and financial services providers. To assert that the world as we know it will disappear is perhaps a step too far from today’s standpoint. What is clear, however, is that urbanization and globalization are inexorably bound up with modern life.

Beyond capital markets and financial services, what is the impact on the kingdom? How does the Christian church "evolve" (to use their word) to meet the changes brought about by urbanization? How does she remain the same?

At the core, our beliefs go unchanged; they are based upon the character of an unchanging God; they are universal, true for all people in all places at all times. However, our practices may (will?) need to change. Can we continue to build church buildings as we have? Can congregations grow to multiple thousands gathering every Sunday morning? Interesting questions.