An even larger sphere than the church is the world. By the world, we can refer to all human beings in general, including both Christians and non-Christians, or of non-Christians in particular. Sometimes we may be referring to a circle that is outside of the church, but might include both Christians and non-Christians, such as the school, the office, or the government.

The Bible draws a clear line separating the church and the world. It tells us to remain in the world but not to be contaminated by it. Reacting against hermitism, many believers throw themselves into the world, participating in almost all that it has to offer. As a result, they have ended up on the other extreme, that of befriending the world, and using as an excuse the claim that they are embracing God's creation and functioning as salt and light to the world. If this is what they are really doing, then the world would either change, or vomit them back out. But the world is comfortable with them because they are the world. Let us not deceive ourselves. The Bible says that we must remain in the world so that we may preach to it, to be a witness against it, to lead people out of its darkness, but not so that we may play with it.

The Bible is sufficient to address all people, even hostile unbelievers, scoffers, and apostates. It supplies sufficient materials for a full system of apologetics, and a complete method and message for evangelism. But as we are speaking of all things outside the church, the Bible is not only good for apologetics and evangelism, but it defines and rules over all aspects of all people. This means that it is the defining standard for art, science, commerce, and even government.

(to be continued)

Posted in Theology, Expositions, Spirituality, Ministry | Permanent Link