The context for the writing of the New Testament was the ancient Roman Empire. Seen through a Christian lens, it was a rough, immoral place. Ongoing conquest and subjugation of peoples, gladiators and the glorification of violence, sexual immorality, little value attached to human life, political intrigue … it had it all. There has been much written comparing ancient Rome with the modern day western world, and America in particular. The parallels are real.
And yet, if one scans the New Testament, there is not much said about the evils in the world outside the church. In fact, much of the New Testament was written in response to sins in the church. Of course, many of these sins were the result of the church embracing the “world” but nonetheless, the focus was on the sins in the church and not the outside world.
I think this is instructive for us. 1 Peter 4:17 speaks of judgment beginning at the house of God and then progressing from there to those who do not obey the gospel of God. Continue reading “Out There or In Here?”