Living in a Fallen World -- 1

While establishing a framework for his excellent study of bioethics, David VanDrunen makes the observation that Christians today face the same challenges as the Israelites did in ancient Babylon. In fact, Revelation 17 - 18 positions the church in Babylon where: "Its promises of wealth, honor and security are deceptive and fleeting, and God warns believers to be on guard against its allures" [VanDrunen, 32].

To be on our guard VanDrunen identifies four non-negotiables for Christians living in a fallen world [VanDrunen, 32-33]. They are:

1. Live in purity (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
2. Be holy (1 Cor. 5)
3. Take thoughts captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-5)
4. Be transformed by the renewing of the mind. (Rom. 12:2)

As the Israelites and early Christians were confronted by attacks on their faith, we are assailed every day by the temptations of the world. As John warns us:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world (1 Jn. 2:15-15).

VanDrunen's suggestions provides believers with a framework for living out our faith in the midst of the enemy. In this series we will take a deeper dive into each of these critical strategies.

Works Cited
VanDrunen, David. Bioethics and the Christian Life. Wheaton, Il: Crossway Books, 2009.