“Men cannot improve a society by setting fire to it: they must seek out its old virtues, and bring them back into the light.” -Russell Kirk

Much of the commentary you’ll read in media outlets today is consumed with finger pointing and the airing of grievances to no end. Personally, one of the strongest temptations to disengage from contemporary issues comes from that empty feeling after you read the rhetoric. The fact is, our words either build or destroy. Even if we don’t realize it initially, they are oriented towards some end. 

What is the end that we seek?

As Christians, our end lies in restoration. Eschatologically, we know that Christ will return to bring upon us a new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). We know that our bodies, now corrupted, will soon become imperishable (1 Corinthians 15: 50). But what does this mean for us now?

It means we called to restore.

Not only does Christ renew believers through sanctification, he asks us to participate in his redemption here on this earth. We are ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Part of this task means determining what is broken, and then asking: what is good? What is beautiful? What is true? Until we can identify the things worth restoring, our task has hardly begun. 

Those who contributed to this edition might not agree about the nature of every problem, but our vision is the same. May our words lead to greater restoration.