UTOPIA

The word "utopia" was coined for the title of a book:

Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

n 1: a book by Sir Thomas More (1516) describing the perfect society on an imaginary island [syn: Utopia, New Latin Utopia] 2: an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal [syn: Utopia, Zion] 3: ideally perfect state; especially in its social and political and moral aspects [ant: dystopia]

Some people believe as a matter of presupposition that such a place — with perfect laws and perfect people — can never exist. These people derive the English word "utopia" from the Greek words ou meaning "not," and topos, meaning "land" or "place." This would literally mean "no place," or "not a place that exists." These people derisively call those who are working for a better society "utopians" (usually preceded by "you," as in "You utopian!" or "You're just a utopian").

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
u·to·pi·a   (y-tp-) n.
  1. An impractical, idealistic scheme for social and political reform.
[New Latin topia, imaginary island in Utopia by Sir Thomas More  : Greek ou, not, no; see aiw- in Indo-European Roots + Greek topos, place.]

But if such a place can exist, the word "utopia" is better derived from the Greek eu meaning "good" + topos, place: a good place. A very good place.

The Bible holds out just such a utopia as a place that really will exist. We call it the Vine & Fig Tree society.

Many "Christian Reconstructionists" speak disdainfully of "utopia." Their writings usually precede the word "utopia" with "socialist." [Examples]  The founder of the Christian Reconstruction movement, however, has admitted a different way of looking at "utopia":

This is what John Adams, later second President of the U.S., wrote in his diary on February 22, 1756:

Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry, to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love and reverence towards Almighty God. What a Utopia, what a Paradise would this region be.

Like others of his day, Adams was a theonomist!

The Vine & Fig Tree society is a theonomic utopia.

Other Resources

Utopianism