Our working definition.

Admittedly, this topic calls for some speculation on our part; but not pure speculation. Here’s John Noe’s working definition:

The “Greater Works” are: “The works Jesus did not do during his earthly ministry, but works God’s people have been instructed to do throughout Scripture—from the beginning of the Bible in the OT to the end in the NT):

• Jesus did not take on Rome or try to take it back for God, but we are to (?)
• He didn’t make disciples of all nations—i.e., change not only lives, but also laws, institutions, and relationships. But we’re commanded to do all of that (?)
• Jesus was “only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). But we are to leave Judea and Samaria and go into “all the world” (Acts 1:8).
• He didn’t take back all the territory Satan (and his forces – human and superhuman) had seized, but we’re instructed to do it (?)
• He didn’t reign and rule over governments, peoples, and nations, but we are to do it (?)
• He did not engage in politics, take on political powers and structures, nor attempt to fix, steer, or assault the tyranny of the Roman government. Rather, He allowed Himself to be crucified by them. So was Jesus non- or apolitical?
• “Those who claim that Jesus was apolitical and interested in only what goes on in individual’s hearts/souls have a difficult time explaining how he could have ended up antagonizing the political powers enough to get himself crucified. . . . (others – activists) have a difficult time explaining why he taught his disciples to love their enemies and not to resist an evil person . . . . Jesus calls us to follow him in renouncing the world’s reliance on power that originated in violent coercion and to rely instead on a witness that consists of proclaiming and living out the good news of the gospel]” (Craig A. Carter, Rethinking Christ and Culture (Grand Rapids, MI.: Brazos Press, 2006), 208).
• Jesus did not set out to reform society, but we are to do that (?)
• “He did not attempt to reform culture; He ignored it and everything concerned with material civilization. Therefore his people rejected him” (H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture (New York, NY.: Harper Torchbooks, 1951), 3).

• He did not work to build a government or take a stretch of land, but Israel did and we are to, sometimes (?)
• He refused to use the means of this world – either the clash of arms or the processes of politics to further his ends. (Are we?)

• He refused to be made “King;” but we were made to be “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6; 5:10).

• He did not exert this kind of open power, but we are to (?)

• The early Church had no hope of reforming the state or bringing it into conformity to the kingdom of God, but we are to (?)

• Jesus said “no” to the devil’s offer to give Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor” (Matt. 4:8), but the bishops of the Christian Church in the 4th century said, “yes.” Thus, Christendom was born. What do we do with that?

• He did not build a great church (?)

• He did not give us any mandate to fix the cultural order (Oh?)

Bottom line is Jesus was anything but victorious, culturally. He was despised, rejected, spit upon, beaten, and put to death like a common criminal. Clearly, his victory was the victory of the Cross—yielding and submission to the powers that be. And yet, there are these “greater works”—something Jesus either did not do at all or not do much of . . . that his followers are called to do. Perhaps, Jesus’ “greater works” are some or all of the above. But we think there might be more to it. And that something more may not be something new but old. Furthermore, it is presented throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and follows naturally, logically, and directly from the Lordship of Christ.

But before we go there, let’s specially note that Jesus did not change the world. What He did was provide the means for his followers to change the world by doing the works He did and even greater works. Remember that Jesus came into human history to establish two great works:

1.  The everlasting kingdom.
2.  Salvation.

Both were announced and accomplished in that order. It all took place in a small postage-stamp-sized patch of land in the Middle East during a short 74-some-year period of time. Believers since then and we today are to continue his mission by doing his works and greater works. And we know what his works are. He modeled them for us. His “greater works”—in our opinion—can further be characterized in this manner. We are to implement / advance / expand / extent / promote / put into practice these two great works of the victory of God through Christ in and over the whole world not only to transform human lives and activities but to transform all of society—lives, laws, institutions, and relationships.

• Thus, societal transformations are the “greater works” and part of our grand destiny as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ.
• This duty is also the strength of the historic postmillennial view of the advancement of the kingdom of God’s throughout the world and into all areas of society.
• This is how we are biblically called to live out the radical difference that Jesus made available.
• Jesus is going to do this alright, but do it through his Holy-Spirit empowered people.
• Yes, it’s about activism vs. pietism and not “reclaiming for Christ” but about “transforming through Christ.”

It starts with us as individuals. We have to be able to reign and rule over our own lives before we can reign and rule in and over the world—in every aspect and area our earthly existence. That means having our flesh and our minds under the control of the Spirit, reaching our full potential in Christ, and being the best we can be at whatever God has directed us to do. Sadly, most believers shrink from living at this level of responsibility, influence, and blessings. They are quite ready to leave all behind for the so-called Antichrist and Beast to occupy.

Will this theology go against the grain and traditions of many Christians? Of course, it will. Therefore, not everyone will agree with me, initially, at least. But there is abundant support throughout Scripture. So, let’s go to the Bible and make a case for this above understanding of the “greater works.”

Sources:

1 A Once-Mighty Faith (future book – est. 2014-15) by John Noe

2 Rethinking Christ and Culture by Craig A. Carter

3 Christ and Culture by H. Richard Niebuhr

4 The Transformation of American Religion by Alan Wolfe