‘Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World’ (Crossway, 2008) a collection of essays by Pastors and leaders of various Congregations of Sovereign Grace Ministry churches under the editorship of C.J. Mahaney. It is a short, punchy read: 171 pages in an 18cm by 13cm hardback.
Mahaney’s introductory essay asks if the verse 1 John 2:15 is found in our Bibles. 1 John 2:15 tells us: ‘Do not love the world or the things in the world.’ The reason is that love for the world or the things of the world is the heresy to which most Christians succumb. They don’t shipwreck their faith by embracing erronious teaching, they walk away from the faith to pursue other priorities. In an age and culture where material comforts and concerns are promoted as being prized above all, this is a timely book.
Craig Cabaniss explores ‘God, My Heart, and Media’. The difference between legalism and discernment is clarified, and much discerment is called for. The Christian commitment to respond to the Bible’s command for purity in thought and action in Ephesians is spelled out. Questions are posed that touch on what media we expose ourselves to, along with the amount of time and money we invest in gaining that exposure. (Disclosure: my desire for a suitable lcd tv is still present, but now moderated.)
Bob Kauflin, a veteran musician and leader of music in a Sovereign Grace Church offers a life-time of thought on the subject of ‘God, My Heart, and Music’. A lot of ground that Kauflin covers in much more depth in ‘Worship Matters’ is briefly surveyed. Discerment about lyrics, consideration of the power of different types of music and the overall effect with music has on emotions and thoughts is clarified. Music can either be a means of celebrating God’s creative power and His love or it can become a god. Choices need to made.
Dave Harvey helps us work through the issues of ‘God, My Heart, and Stuff’. Harvey opens up a consideration of various ways in which possessions can fill the role in our lives which God alone can legitimately fill. Whether possessions give us a sense of happiness; importance; security; or wealth they are fleeting experiences at best and often demand greater aquisitiveness to stave off feelings of insecurity and unhappiness. The best strategy for a committed Christian to fight off selfishness is generosity.
God, My Heart, and Clothes is dealt with C.J. Mahaney, who draws on his experience as a husband, father and biblical scholar to deal with modesty, particularly as it relates to the way in which young women dress and behave and the consideration they should nurture toward the spiritual struggles of male Christians with lust. You won’t have read too many chapters like this one, particularly ones that are so gracious and humble. The books two appendices deal with practical exploratoins of these issues.
The final chapter, ‘How to Love the World’ by Jeff Purswell, steps back and seeks to address the notion that the whole thrust of the theme of the book is negative in tone. This is not meant to be a book of ‘Thou shalt nots’. Purswell develops a brief Christian world view, starting with a biblical theological outline following the: Creation; Fall; Redemption; and Consummation. As Christians anticipate eternity in a recreated creation there are certain implications that can be developed and applied to life now. Three tasks are identified: Enjoy the World; Engage the World; and Evangelise the World. It is the cross that defines our self-image; our view of the world and our attitude to the world and our task of sharing the Gospel.
This is not an exercise in trying to gain a sense of God’s favour based on ethical behaviour. ‘Worldliness’ seeks to express the fact that the Christian’s attitude to life expressed by our response to God’s love for us in the atoning death and resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read it for your own Christian growth and then give it to a young person you know and love.
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