“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers”: Challenges for Christians and the church amidst unbelievers in a post-modern context

Authors

  • PM Theron
  • GA Lotter

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17570/ngtt.2008.v49n3.a24

Keywords:

authentic Christian lifestyle, believers’ responsibility, Church ministry, Missional church, Missionêre kerk, postmodern context

Abstract

Although Christians have the biblical instruction not to be associated too closely with unbelievers, they have the commission of Jesus Christ to be salt and light in the world. It is a huge challenge for believers to find the balance between “assimilation” on the one hand and “distinction” on the other hand. In this article, essential traits necessary for Christians in order to fulfil their calling to be a blessing in the world and to make society a better place, will be identified. Not only Christians individually, but also Christians collectively (the church), have an immense responsibility to be Jesus Christ’s representatives in this post-modern context and to respond to the renewed interest and quest for spirituality which is currently evident. Contemporary society also poses specific challenges for the church in order to have a positive impact. Certain guidelines to which she needs to adhere to will be proposed in the article.
“Moenie in dieselfde juk trek as die ongelowige nie” Uitdagings vir Christene en die kerk tussen ongelowiges in ’n postmoderne konteks
Alhoewel Christene die bybelse opdrag het om nie hulself te intiem met ongelowiges te vereenselwig nie, het hulle tog die opdrag van Jesus Christus om sout en lig vir die wêreld te wees. In hierdie artikel sal daar gepoog word om essensiële kenmerke te identifiseer waaraan Christene behoort te voldoen ten einde hul in staat te stel om hul roeping uit te leef, naamlik om ’n seën vir die wêreld te wees en om die samelewing ’n beter plek te maak. Dis nie net individuele Christene wat ’n groot verantwoordelikheid het om Jesus Christus se verteenwoordigers in hierdie postmoderne konteks te wees en te reageer op die hernude belangstelling en soeke na spiritualiteit nie, maar ook die liggaam van Christus, die kerk. Die huidige gemeenskap stel ook spesifieke uitdagings aan die kerk. Indien sy begeer om ’n positiewe impak te maak, behoort sy aan sekere riglyne te voldoen wat voorgestel sal word in hierdie artikel.

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Published

2008-12-31

How to Cite

Theron, P., & Lotter, G. (2008). “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers”: Challenges for Christians and the church amidst unbelievers in a post-modern context. NGTT | Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 49(3&4). https://doi.org/10.17570/ngtt.2008.v49n3.a24

Issue

Section

Articles | Artikels