This is intended to help us understand how "Scripture speaks" on various topics. I have taken topical outlines I created for preaching and teaching, and reformatted them as articles to provide minimal framing and commentary, so that Scripture passages on certain topics may be collected, read, and meditated on. This is not an exhaustive commentary on Scripture, but rather an opportunity to collect thematic Scriptures together to see the trajectory that Hebrew and Christian Scriptures take, and how they converge and diverge on various topics. This is drawn from my own eclectic reading in Biblical and Systematic Theology, as well as topical resources such as Alister McGrath’s Thematic Reference Bible, Walter Elwell’s Topical Analysis of the Bible, Nave’s Topical Bible, Bible Gateway online, and the Open Bible online.
In order to understand how to navigate our relationship with the world we live in, and the cultures we are immersed in, we need to understand the relationship of God to our world and the cultures in it. This can be difficult, because at different times in Scripture, there are different relationships between God's people and the world they inhabit, and the cultures that surround them. Sometimes, such as during the Davidic Kings of Judah, God's people were in charge of their culture and were directed to use that culture for the full flourishing of the people in it. Other times, such as during the Babylonian Exile or the period of Roman domination, God's people were called to create their own culture in the midst of cultures that ranged from being apathetic toward God's people, to being actively hostile to them. Despite this diversity of cultural context, there are some common Biblical themes that emerge:
The World as beloved, condemned, and redeemed
The totality of all cultures and communities operative in history is known in Scripture as the "world" (Greek cosmos, Hebrew olam). World can be used literally, as the totality of reality, including all things and events in spacetime. As such, "the world" can simply be God's whole creation, which God loves and cares for. One set of Biblical words for "world" literally means "everywhere that is inhabited" (Hebrew tevel, Greek oikumene). In this sense, God loves the world and all who inhabit it:
Psalm 9.8 He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity.
Psalm 24.1 The earth is the LORD’S and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
Psalm 89.11 The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.
Psalm 90.2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Proverbs 8.30–31 [30] I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, [31] rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.
Wisdom 1.7 Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world (oikumene), and that which holds all things together knows what is said
Romans 10.18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Another Greek word for "world" is kosmos (which we get cosmos from). In this sense, "world" has a much more complicated relationship with God. In one sense, kosmos is another word for "all of creation", which God made on purpose and which God upholds because he loves it dearly:
Wisdom 1.13–14 [13] God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. [14] For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them,
Wisdom 11.24–12.1 [24] For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it. [25] How would anything have endured if you had not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved? [26] You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living. [1] For your immortal spirit is in all things.
Acts 17.24 The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands...
But more often than this, kosmos is used in a more socially constructed sense as something like "world culture". As such, God loves the kosmos since it is a creation of his children and contains his children. But, at the same time, God stands opposed to the kosmos because it is tainted by sin and suffering and death, because his children are infected with sin.
The world is under the control of forces of evil: Jn 14:30; Jn 12:31; 2Co 4:4; 1Jn 4:4; 1Jn 5:19; Eph 2:1-4; Eph 6:12
The world is opposed to God: Jn 7:7; Jn 3:19-20; Gal 1:4; 1Jn 2:15-16; 1Co 1:21; 1Co 1:25; 2:6-8; 3:19
The world is opposed to the life of faith: Jn 15:18-19; Jn 1:10-11; 17:6, 9, 14, 18-25; Jas 2:5; 4:4; 1Jn 3:1
The world is opposed to Jesus Christ’s kingdom: Jn 18:36; Isa 40:23; Mt 4:8-10; Lk 4:5-8; Mt 24:14; Lk 12:30; Jn 8:23; 14:17; 2Co 10:3; Heb 11:38; 1Pe 2:11
Thus the world is under judgment and condemnation: 1Co 11:32; Ge 6:5-7; 7:4-21; Isa 13:11; Zep 3:8; Mt 18:7; Jn 12:31; 16:11; 1Jn 2:17
The world will be judged in righteousness so it can be liberated: Ps 9:8; Ps 96:13; Isa 26:9; Na 1:5-6; Ac 17:31; Ro 3:19; 1Co 6:2
This ambiguous "loving condemnation" of the world is captured well in the most famous Biblical passage about the kosmos:
John 3.16–19 [16] “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [17] “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil."
So, on one hand, since the kosmos was created by God and God's children, it is still capable of revealing God to those children. God's Light can still be glimpsed in the kosmos and shared in the kosmos:
Romans 1.20 Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.
John 1.9–10 [9] The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
John 17.18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
John 8.12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 5.14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
Mark 16.15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation."
However, the kosmos has fallen with humanity, and is now a place of great darkness. It is under control of evil powers that pull creation away from the abundant life God has designed for it. This has created "cultures of death" operative in the world. These cosmic cultures of death are flatly opposed to God's values of life and love, and thus influence God's children to act against their own health and flourishing, and lead them toward self-destruction. As such, the world is under condemnation from God, and is fundamentally alienated from God even as God upholds its very being:
John 15.18–19 [18] “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 18.36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
John 14.17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
1Corinthians 1.27–29 [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, [29] so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
Ephesians 2.1–3 [1] You were dead through the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. [3] All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.
James 4.4 Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Because of the beloved and yet alienated nature of the kosmos, God wants to heal and restore the kosmos. This is similar to the Jewish concept of "Tikkun Olam": The repair of the world. God wants to repair the kosmos and all the cultural elements operative in it:
2Corinthians 5.19 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
1John 4.9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
1 Corinthians 1.21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe...
Matthew 13.37–40 [37] He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; [38] the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, [39] and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. [40] Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
Yet, this ambiguous "loving condemnation" of the world will be resolved at the culmination of History. Christ will become King of the kosmos, and those who follow Christ will help him in the world of judging and liberating the kosmos from everything that has plagued it with death and suffering.
Christ will rule over the nations: Rev 1:5; Ps 2:7-9; Da 7:13-14; Mt 19:28; 25:31-32; Ro 15:12; 1Co 15:25; Php 2:9-10; Rev 12:5; 17:14; 19:11-16
Christ will be king forever: Rev 11:15; Isa 9:7; Lk 1:33; Heb 1:8; Ps 45:6
The judgment of Christ will be assisted by those who are members of Christ's Body: The Church will be active with Christ in "judging" and liberating the world. Jude 1.22-23; Mat 19.28; 1Co 6.2-3; Dan 7.27; Rev 20.4.
John 16.33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
1Corinthians 6.2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
1John 2.2 Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 5.4–5 [4] for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. [5] Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Revelation 11.15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”
Cultures, Tribes, Tongues, Ages, and Unity in Christ
Culture is typically defined in a number of overlapping ways that include the customs, arts, social institutions, languages, assumptions, attitudes, norms, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. It is genealogically related to the Latin roots "Cultus" which refers to the rituals and words used in worshiping divine beings, as well as "Cultura" which refers to agricultural actions of tilling, tending, and cultivating land. As such, it refers to a community's way of life oriented around their ultimate values (in the sense of cultus), and the ways they cultivate those values in institutions, policies, norms, attitudes, arts, language, stories, and all the other artifacts of community life (in the sense of cultura). As Joseph Biden summed up in his 2020 inaugural address: "Many centuries ago, Saint Augustine, a saint in my church, wrote that a people was a multitude defined by the common objects of their love, defined by the common objects of their love."
The concept of "culture" as we use it is not found in Scripture. But overlapping ideas are common. In particular we find that it is God's desire to unite all peoples from diverse tribes, tongues, lands, nations, and peoples together in Divine Love. For instance:
All peoples will be blessed through Abraham: Ge 12:3; Ge 18:18; 22:18; Gal 3:8-9
All nations will bow before God: Ps 22:27-28; Ps 86:9; Da 7:14; Am 9:11-12
All people will be enlightened: Isa 49:6; Isa 9:1-2; 42:6; 60:1-3; Lk 2:30-32
The Messiah will bring justice to the peoples: Mt 12:18-21; Isa 42:1-4
All Peoples will become God’s people: Ro 9:22-25; Hos 2:23; 1Pe 2:10
The Peoples will praise God: Ro 15:9-12; Dt 32:43; 2Sa 22:50; Ps 18:49; Isa 11:10
Ultimately, the people of God transcend all national boundaries: 1Pe 2:9-10; Eph 2:19; Mt 8:11; Mt 28:19; Ac 11:18, 20-21; Rev 5:9; 7:9; 14:6; Gal 3:26-29; Ro 9:6-8; Eph 2:11-13
Genesis 12.1–3 [1] Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. [2] I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Isaiah 66.18–19 [18] For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory, [19] and I will set a sign among them. From them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud—which draw the bow—to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
Revelation 7:9-10 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
God uses the artifacts and insights of diverse cultures to draw people to Godself. Anytime culture does good by helping humans flourish, they are participating implicitly in the life of God which contains and upholds their very existence:
Acts 10:34-35 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him..."
Acts 14.16–17[16] In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; [17] yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.
Acts 17.26–28 [26] Paul said: "From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, [27] so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. [28] For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’"
In addition a number of specific cultures are listed in Scripture as objects of God's Love and saving intentions. These cultures are illustrative of the fact that God desires to save and heal all cultures, and fulfill what is good and true and beautiful in them:
Psalm 87.1–7 [1] On the holy mount stands the city he founded; [2] the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. [3] Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [4] Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia— “This one was born there,” they say. [5] And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in it”; for the Most High himself will establish it. [6] The LORD records, as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” [7] Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Galatians 3:28 Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.
Colossians 3:11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Very close to the modern concept of "culture" is the Biblical concept of "age" (Hebrew Olam, Greek Aion). An age is a certain period in history when a group of people live in similar ways, with similar assumptions and norms and challenges. World history is filled with overlapping and distinct "ages", and each "age" has a certain "powers or dominions or rulers or authorities" that both control its trajectory and emanate from it. In the end, Christ will unite all "ages" into himself, and will be the King and Master for all their powers and authorities.
History is made up of "Ages of Ages". Multiple successive ages in the unfolding Story of God: Is. 45.17; Dan. 7.18; Gal. 1.5; Phil. 4.20; 1 Tim. 1.17; 2 Tim. 4.18; Heb. 13.21; 1 Pet. 4.11; Rev. 1.6, 18; 4.9–10; 5.13; 7.12; 10.6; 11.15; 14.11; 15.7; 19.3; 20.10; 22.5
Ages before Jesus Christ was revealed: Eph 3:9; Ro 16:25-26; 1Co 10:11; Col 1:26; Heb 1:1-2
The present evil age: Gal 1:4; 1Co 1:20; 2:6-8; 2Co 4:4; Eph 2:2; Tit 2:12
The end of this age: Mt 13:49; Mt 13:39-40; 24:3-10
The age to come: Mt 19:28-29; Mk 10:30; Lk 18:30; Lk 20:34-36; Eph 2:7; 1Ti 6:19
Blessings in the present age: Heb 6:5; Mt 28:20; Mk 1:15; Eph 1:21; Heb 9:26
Galatians 1.4 Christ gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 12.2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Corinthians 2.6–8 [6] Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. [7] But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
2Corinthians 4.4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of the unfaithful, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Ephesians 1.20–21 [20] God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
Ephesians 2.1–2 [1] You were dead through the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.
Ephesians 2.6–7 [6] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3.9–10 [9] and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; [10] so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by Christ all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether powers or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 2.15 Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
Hebrews 11.3 By faith we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
1Timothy 1.17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
After our consideration of God's relationship with the "world" and the "ages" of world History, this leads to perhaps the most powerful vision of the nature of culture: We are ultimately a social body, and our head is Jesus Christ. The goal of all creation and all culture is that we are unified, as a diversity of members, into one organic unity. This is the "Body of Christ", which forms the way we can understand our culture as a "social body" or "body politic". Rom. 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 6:15–17; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 1 Cor. 11:29; 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 1:22–23; Eph. 4:9-16; Col. 1:24-27; 2.17-19.
Romans 12.4–5 [4] For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, [5] so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12.24–27 [24] But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, [25] that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. [26] If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Ephesians 1.22–23 [22] And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Christ and the cultivation of Culture
Christ as the Vine into which the branches of persons and cultures are grafted into and grow from: Jn 15:1-6. This is rooted in the Hebrew idea that the Messiah is the Branch: Jer 23:5; Isa 4:2; 11:1-5; Jer 33:15-16; Zec 3:8; 6:12-13
John 15.1–8 [1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. [2] He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. [3] You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. [6] Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
The symbolic use of branches as references to being parts of an organic unity larger than self: Ro 11:11-24; Jer 1:11-12; Isa 9:14-15; 19:13-15; Ge 40:9-13; Zec 4:1-14; Job 29:19; Ge 49:22; Job 15:32-35; 18:5-16.
Romans 11.11–24 [11] So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. [12] Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! [13] Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry [14] in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. [15] For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! [16] If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy. [17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, [18] do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. [19] You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” [20] That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. [23] And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. [24] For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.
As cultures and as individuals, we were made to bear the fruit of Divine Love and Life and Light:
John 15.4–8 [4] Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing... [8] My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
God expects his people to bear spiritual and moral fruit of love and light and life, so all may flourish and live into all the fullness of who God made them to be: Gal 5.22-23; Jn 15.1-8, 15:16; Isa 5:1-4; Mt 7:16-20; Lk 6:43-44; Rom 7:4
Galatians 5.22–23 [22] By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Matthew 7.18–20 [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will know them by their fruits.
Luke 6.43–45 [43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; [44] for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. [45] The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
The Good Fruit of culture and individual life consists in all that brings about full human flourishing, especially in bringing about health, hope, peace, and harmony: Ps 92:12; Pr 11:30; Isa 32:17; Jer 11:16; Eze 19:10; Eph 5:9; Col 1:10; Jas 3:17
Psalm 92.12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Proverbs 11.30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.
Isaiah 32.17 The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Ezekiel 19.10 Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard transplanted by the water, fruitful and full of branches from abundant water.
Ephesians 5.9 For the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
Sirach 11.22 God’s blessing is the lot of the righteous, and in due time their hope bears fruit.
1 Corinthians 9.10 Whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop.
Colossians 1.10 So that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.
1 Timothy 2.1–2 [1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
Cultures and individuals that are "unfruitful", and no longer effectively produce love and life and light for the full flourishing of others, will be cut off and cut down and replaced with something that has the possibility of bearing good fruit: John 15.1-8; Isa 5:1-7; Mt 3:8-10; Lk 3:9; Mt 7:19. Thus, unfruitfulness is a moral or spiritual condition to avoid, both as individuals and as cultures: Mt 21:19; Mk 11:14; Job 15:32-33; Eze 17:9; 19:10-12; Mt 21:43; Heb 6:7-8
Jeremiah 18.5–10 [5] Then the word of the LORD came to me: [6] Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. [7] At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, [8] but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. [9] And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, [10] but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it.
Luke 13.6–9 [6] Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. [7] So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ [8] He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. [9] If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Mark 11.11–15, 20–23, 28-30 [11] Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. [12] On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. [13] Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. [14] He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. [15] Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves... [20] In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. [21] Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” [22] Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. [23] Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you... [28] “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. [29] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. [30] Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
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