nebula Posted June 30, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.76 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.95 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Share Posted June 30, 2005 What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world? How does it affect the way we live - or how should it? To begin the discussion, I would like to share a poem: ****************************************************************** The Ins and Outs of It John Fischer "In it, not of it," the statement was made As Christian One faced the world, much afraid. "In it, not of it," the call was made clear, But Christian One got something stuck in his ear. "Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard. And knowing the world was painfully absurd, He welcomed the safety of pious retreat, And went to the potluck for something to eat. Now Christian Two, he knew what to do, He'd show those fundies a thing or two! How will the world ever give Christ a try If we don't get in there and identify? So "In it, and of it," he said in his car, As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar. "I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able To get myself out from under this table." Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus, In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces. His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune About how the Lord is coming back soon. "Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grill. Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet, He can have the world without having to face it. While way up in heaven they lament these conditions That come from changing a few prepositions. "Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought. But who in the world will know that he's not? "In it, and of it," thought Christian Two. But who in the world will know that he knew? "Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three. But who in the world watches Christian TV? And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head. "'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?" ****************************************************************** So, what is it that you understand "In it, not of it" to mean? Let's share! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apothanein kerdos Posted June 30, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 331 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 8,713 Content Per Day: 1.21 Reputation: 21 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/28/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted June 30, 2005 We are to be in the world, amongst the people, living in the ontological world, but not of the world, the ethical world, we are not to partake in the morals of this world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebula Posted June 30, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.76 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.95 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Author Share Posted June 30, 2005 We are to be in the world, amongst the people, living in the ontological world, but not of the world, the ethical world, we are not to partake in the morals of this world. You can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apothanein kerdos Posted June 30, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 331 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 8,713 Content Per Day: 1.21 Reputation: 21 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/28/2004 Status: Offline Share Posted June 30, 2005 We are to be in the world, amongst the people, living in the ontological world, but not of the world, the ethical world, we are not to partake in the morals of this world. You can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe@actsii Posted July 1, 2005 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 193 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 2 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/02/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/11/1973 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Think of it like being in a room of alcoholics that are drinking, and being sober and not drinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletprayers Posted July 1, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 135 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 7,537 Content Per Day: 1.08 Reputation: 157 Days Won: 2 Joined: 04/06/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/29/1956 Share Posted July 1, 2005 We are to be in the world, amongst the people, living in the ontological world, but not of the world, the ethical world, we are not to partake in the morals of this world. You can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerioke Posted July 1, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 97 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 5,850 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 128 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/19/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/11/1911 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Think of it like being in a room of alcoholics that are drinking, and being sober and not drinking. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's great as long as you're not being a prude amongst all those drunks. I was a bartender at the local legion for a couple of years and one of the most frequent comments I got was how I managed to dal with all those drunks. It was simple . They were like little kids misbehaving and I repremanded them like a parent when they got out of hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe@actsii Posted July 1, 2005 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 193 Content Per Day: 0.03 Reputation: 2 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/02/2005 Status: Offline Birthday: 09/11/1973 Share Posted July 1, 2005 Think of it like being in a room of alcoholics that are drinking, and being sober and not drinking. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's great as long as you're not being a prude amongst all those drunks. I was a bartender at the local legion for a couple of years and one of the most frequent comments I got was how I managed to dal with all those drunks. It was simple . They were like little kids misbehaving and I repremanded them like a parent when they got out of hand <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nope, just trying to give an analogy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebula Posted July 1, 2005 Group: Royal Member Followers: 10 Topic Count: 5,823 Topics Per Day: 0.76 Content Count: 45,870 Content Per Day: 5.95 Reputation: 1,897 Days Won: 83 Joined: 03/22/2003 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/19/1970 Author Share Posted July 1, 2005 You can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shiloh357 Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 We can be relevant to the culture around us, but we have to remember that we are called to be separate. I regularly deal with people in the world, and while we are all on good terms, I am not invited to the "after work" parties. People at my job watch their language around me. They don't come to me with dirty jokes. While I can eat with them, and talk about baseball, fishing, and computers with them, they know where the boundary lines are, and don't cross them. We are not to be snobs to unbelievers, but we must draw a line and set up boundaries for their interaction with us. WE are the ones who should be making a difference. I have worldly friends who know me and like me, but I do not seek their advice. If I have a life question, I go to Christians. My inner circle of friends are believers. I go to trusted men and women of God for advice and counsel. I will not take counsel from those who are not in touch with the heart of the Father. Being in the world but not of the world means that we do not live in a bubble on the one hand, but at the same time we guard our hearts, our minds and our interactions, so that we are the ones making the difference, instead of the world enticing us to try their ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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