Question from a reader:

One of the pastors of my church insists that you—and I, since I agree with your view of a restoration of the present earth as opposed to its total and complete annihilation and re-creation—are "cultural transformationists.” He says that I believe it is the role of believers to transform the world into the New Earth through social reform. Could you clarify for me what you believe in regard to this topic?

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

He is confusing two completely different beliefs. There is no connection between them. I make clear that it is Christ who returns to set up his kingdom and ultimately to refashion the New Earth from the ashes of the old. This has nothing to do with Christians influencing the world, though I certainly think we should! Needless to say (or perhaps not) believers can no more fashion the biblical New Earth than we can fashion our resurrection bodies. That's all the work of God, not man.