Chris Harmon asked a good question. He wrote: “So I’m wondering since it was a little unclear when I read this - do you think we *should* be part of Christian academies (schools), godtube, christian bookstores, christian music, etc.?”
I thought perhaps my last post was a bit unclear, so let me clarify one aspect. I don’t think we are called as believers to create “separate but equal” institutions. One of Jesus’ prayers, recorded in John 17, clearly states (in my opinion) that we are to be in the world:
“11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctifythem by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
What this says to me is that we are not to hide ourselves in these “safe” “Christian” institutions, but that we are to be in and among the world. Jesus prayed for Father not to take us out of the world, but to protect us as we are in it.
To me, being of or after the world means adopting and adapting the systems of the world; internalizing those systems, and living out of those systems. The way I see it, that is exactly what we are doing when we take the things of this world and “Christianize” them: Godtube, Dayspring, Christian skating sessions, you name it. When we mimic things in the world, we are of or after the world.
Of: used as a function word to indicate origin or derivation <a man of noble birth>
After: in the characteristic manner of : in imitation of <writing after the manner of Hemingway>
March 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I agree that we aren’t to create separate but equal institutions. It drives me crazy…even though I used to be a beneficiary of such institutions, something always felt “wrong” about it to me. “Christian” radio…ugh.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
ugh, indeed, Erin. My experience is similar to yours. I used to listen exclusively to Christian radio, shop at Christian bookstores, etc. Can’t hardly stand it now.