25-0813, Engagement Project, Tour 1

The Engagement Project, as introduced in Tour 1 titled Creation, The Endgame, embarks on a profound exploration of God’s grand metanarrative, which unfolds across five distinct epochs: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Engagement, and Restoration. These epochs form the framework for understanding God’s overarching plan for humanity and the universe. Dr. Del Tackett, the project’s guide, emphasizes that to grasp the significance of the current epoch—Engagement—it is essential to revisit and reflect on the foundational epoch of Creation. This reflection sets the stage for understanding God’s purpose and the role believers are called to play in His divine plan.

Tour 1 invites participants to wrestle with a fundamental question: What is the “endgame” or ultimate purpose behind God’s creative act? Why did God create the universe? Beyond the awe-inspiring beauty of galaxies, ecosystems, and human life, Dr. Tackett frames this question as central to the tour, urging participants to move beyond superficial answers and dig into the heart of God’s intention. The tour reveals that Creation is not a random or merely aesthetic endeavor but a purposeful act rooted in God’s nature. At its core, Creation reflects what Dr. Tackett calls the “Crown Jewel” of God’s character—His desire to foster abundant, flourishing life. This flourishing life is not static but dynamic, involving humanity as active participants in God’s creative and redemptive work.

The introduction to Tour 1 establishes that God’s metanarrative is not a disjointed series of events but a cohesive story with a clear trajectory. Each epoch builds on the previous one, culminating in the ultimate restoration of all things. Creation, as the starting point, is where God’s intentions are first revealed. The epoch of Engagement, where believers currently reside, is deeply connected to Creation, as it calls Christians to embody God’s original design in a fallen world. By exploring Creation, Tour 1 lays the groundwork for understanding the responsibilities and privileges of living in the Engagement epoch, where believers are called to actively participate in God’s mission.

At the heart of Tour 1 is the exploration of God’s purpose in Creation, which Dr. Tackett articulates as fruitfulness and relationship. God’s command to humanity in Genesis 1:28 to “be fruitful and multiply” is a cornerstone of this teaching. While this command is often interpreted narrowly as a call to physical reproduction, Dr. Tackett expands its meaning to encompass all facets of life—spiritual, relational, and creative. Fruitfulness, in God’s design, is about producing life that reflects His glory, whether through nurturing families, cultivating communities, or stewarding the earth’s resources.

This call to fruitfulness is not a solitary endeavor but one that mirrors God’s triune nature—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a relational God, He designed Creation to function through interdependence and community. From the ecosystems of the natural world to the interconnectedness of human relationships, nothing in God’s design thrives in isolation. Plants rely on pollinators, animals depend on food chains, and humans flourish in the context of community. Similarly, within the Body of Christ, believers are called to live in communion with one another, bearing fruit through mutual support, encouragement, and love.

Dr. Tackett emphasizes that God could have chosen to sustain Creation single-handedly, perpetually renewing life without human involvement. Instead, He delegated a participatory role to His creatures, granting them the dignity and responsibility of co-creating with Him. This delegation reflects God’s relational nature, as He invites humanity to share in His creative work. For example, when God tasked Adam with naming the animals (Genesis 2:19-20), He was not merely assigning a task but inviting Adam into a partnership that reflected God’s own creativity. This partnership underscores the relational dynamic at the heart of Creation, where God’s creatures are not passive recipients but active agents in His plan.

The theme of fruitfulness extends beyond the physical to the spiritual realm. In the same way that a seed must be planted, nurtured, and connected to its environment to bear fruit, believers are called to cultivate spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit is not produced in isolation but through relationships with God and others. The relational aspect of fruitfulness is evident in the Trinity itself, where perfect love and unity exist between Father, Son, and Spirit. Humanity, created in God’s image, is designed to reflect this relational harmony by living in community and contributing to the flourishing of others.

Tour 1 transitions from God’s purpose in Creation to the specific role of the Church in His endgame. Dr. Tackett poses a provocative question: “Why did Jesus leave?” The answer lies in Jesus’ ascension and the subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). By ascending to heaven, Jesus empowered believers through the Holy Spirit to continue His mission on earth. This empowerment is not merely for personal sanctification but for a global impact. Jesus Himself promised that His followers would do “greater works” (John 14:12), not because they surpass His miracles in quality but because the Spirit enables the Church to extend His work across time and space, touching countless lives.

The Church, as the Body of Christ, is designed to be a living, growing organism that bears fruit through communal participation. Dr. Tackett stresses that God’s endgame is not limited to individual salvation or personal holiness, though these are vital. Instead, the ultimate goal is fruitfulness that glorifies God (John 15:8). This fruitfulness manifests in transformed lives, restored families, and renewed communities. The Church is called to be a beacon of God’s kingdom, demonstrating His love, justice, and mercy in tangible ways. Whether through acts of service, sharing the gospel, or fostering reconciliation, believers are tasked with cultivating abundant spiritual life that reflects God’s glory.

The role of the Church is inherently outward-focused. Dr. Tackett challenges the tendency toward “Meo-Christianity,” a self-centered faith that prioritizes personal comfort and spiritual experiences over God’s call to bless others. Drawing from Genesis 12:2-3, where God promises to bless Abraham so that he will be a blessing to all nations, Tour 1 underscores that the Church’s mission is to extend God’s blessings to the world. This mission requires active engagement, not passive existence. The Church is not a fortress to retreat into but a movement sent out to transform the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is central to this mission. Without the Spirit, the Church would lack the strength and wisdom to fulfill God’s call. The Spirit equips believers to live out their faith boldly, to love sacrificially, and to bear fruit that endures. This fruitfulness is not about achieving worldly success but about aligning with God’s desire for His people to reflect His character and advance His kingdom. As the Body of Christ, the Church is a living testimony to God’s redemptive plan, bridging the gap between the Fall and the ultimate Restoration.

A pivotal moment in Tour 1 is Dr. Tackett’s exposition of the parable of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-25), which serves as a powerful illustration of God’s expectation for fruitfulness. In this “acted parable,” Jesus curses a fig tree that, despite its lush appearance, bears no fruit. Dr. Tackett explains that the tree’s barrenness, even though it was not the season for figs, symbolizes a failure to fulfill its God-given purpose. The fig tree’s outward beauty was deceptive, masking its lack of productivity. This story serves as a sobering reminder that God’s creation, including believers, is designed to bear fruit, not merely to exist or “look good.”

The parable challenges believers to examine their own lives. While salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Christians are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10). These works are not a means of earning salvation but a natural outcome of a transformed life. Dr. Tackett emphasizes that God’s glory is revealed when His people live purposefully, producing fruit that blesses others and advances His kingdom. The barren fig tree serves as a warning against complacency and self-centered faith, urging believers to live outwardly and intentionally.

The parable also ties back to the broader theme of fruitfulness in Creation. Just as God commanded humanity to be fruitful and multiply, He expects His people to produce spiritual fruit that reflects His character. This fruitfulness is not optional but central to God’s design. Dr. Tackett critiques the “Meo-Christianity” mindset, where faith becomes inwardly focused and disconnected from God’s call to bless others. Instead, believers are called to embody the promise given to Abraham: to be blessed and to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2-3). The parable of the fig tree thus serves as a clarion call to live with purpose, bearing fruit that glorifies God and impacts the world.

Part 1 of Tour 1 of the Engagement Project sets a compelling foundation for understanding God’s metanarrative and the role of believers in His plan. By exploring Creation, Dr. Tackett reveals God’s purpose of fostering abundant, flourishing life through fruitfulness and relationship. The Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is called to extend this purpose by bearing fruit that transforms lives and communities. The parable of the fig tree underscores the urgency and seriousness of this call, challenging believers to move beyond self-centered faith and live as active participants in God’s endgame. As part 1 concludes, participants are left with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped to engage the world with the love, truth, and power of Christ.

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