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We see this in Moses' confrontation of Pharaoh, Jesus' assault on the lordship of Caesar, and anno domini as well. University of Salisbury Professor Timothy Miller writes concerning the church's voice on behalf of lepers in the Middle Ages [4]:

"Greek Christian writers and preachers had apparently succeeded in convincing Greco-Roman communities of the Eastern Mediterranean to modify their initial response to isolate lepers. In Latin society of the twelfth century, however, lepers did suffer exclusion in some areas, but the concepts motivating this reaction derived from Germanic customs, not from Christian doctrine. The Christian leprosaria, branded by Watts, Risse, Moore, Brody, and Ells as places of exile, never served as prisons, but as havens of physical and spiritual support in an often hostile secular world."

Throughout history, scores of Christians have prophetically engaged their cultures by asking deeper questions and calling for more complex, more loving responses to pressing social issues. Others have failed and been co-opted by the culture Jesus wants to transform. As time pushes us forward, what will the church that's just as broken as the world by Peak Oil have to offer?

Here are a few thoughts:

(1) Life in Community

A recent study called "Social Isolation in America" concluded that most Americans today have only two close friends, marking a measurable decline since the study's 1985 antecedent [5]. In a future marked by even more turmoil and uncertainty, people and families who are "doing life" on their own will likely find it difficult to carry on day-to-day without the close support of a missional community of friends. In this fellowship, we can help individuals construct a meaningful, dignified identity through community, not consumerism.

(2) Creation Care

Understanding care for the environment as a worshipful act imbues profound meaning into ecological stewardship. In this framework, our sacrifices for the environment become opportunities to glorify God. We can then teach others about a creation that groans for the restoration and renewal to come, and provide opportunities to participate in this process today.

(3) Simplicity

The coming age of less means a reduction in creature comforts that we know and love. We can consider the impact of our present choices upon the next seven generations, or we can act without concern for the world our children will inherit. Throughout the history of the church, monks and mendicant orders such as the Benedictines and Franciscans have disciplined themselves to be content in plenty or in want. We must resurrect this virtue and begin teaching it. As Mother Theresa put it, "it is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

(4) Re-localization

Luther and Calvin encouraged Christians to select a church by proximity, implying that followers of King Jesus should be able to be Christians with any community of Christians. But 17th-century Puritans didn't bring this idea to the New World. Perhaps we can redeem ourselves by embracing it today. As we learn to "be human" with the people who are near us, we can teach our culture to do the same by example. What might our cities look like if we began to befriend our neighbors? Community that can thrive without affinity is strong indeed.

What "deep questions" will you ask? And more importantly, what will you find?

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[4] Miller, Timothy S and Smith-Savage, Rebecca. "Medieval Leprosy Reconsidered." International Social Science Review, Spring - Summer 2006. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IMR/is_1-2_81/ai_n16701818/print>

[5] McPherson, Miller, Smith-Lovin, Lynn, and Brashears, Matthew. "Social Isolation in America: Changes in Core Discussion Network over Two Decades." American Sociological Review, Vol 71. June, 2006: 353-375. <http://www.asanet.org/galleries/default-file/June06ASRFeature.pdf>