Date

12-19-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Benjamin P. Laird

Keywords

In But Not Of, Kosmos, World, John, Separation, Mimesis, Mission

Disciplines

Practical Theology | Religion

Abstract

John’s theology of separation from the world is an underdeveloped aspect of the perennial question of the believer’s relationship to the world. John’s view of separation leads believers to prioritize living a holy life that is influenced by an inherent distrust in the world. This perspective argues against a common assumed neutrality of the culture of the world. While the root idea of the κόσμος is “order,” John expresses that idea of order by describing the world as the kingdom of Satan. This kingdom is composed of people and their values as a unified entity that is in opposition to God. The essence of separation from the world is the imitation of God’s holiness. This call to imitate God’s holiness in separation from the world is best summarized as being “in but not of the world.” This phrase constitutes a mimetic call to live in accordance with one’s position in Christ. Being “of the world” is best understood as being characterized by the world. Being “in the world” is best summarized as simply living and ministering as Jesus did. Aside from this summary statement, John also gives commands in his later writings that speak directly to the church-world relationship and further support the call to holiness and an inherent distrust in the world. Two important elements of a holy life are verbal proclamation of the gospel and social action. As the church considers the balance of verbal proclamation of the gospel to the world as well as social action for the world, the example of Jesus demonstrates that social action should serve to provide a context in which the gospel message can be proclaimed. The call to imitate God’s holiness serves as the foundation for two aspects of the church’s witness to the world–unity and brotherly love. The call to unity and to brotherly love are both predicated upon living a holy life. Thus, biblical separation from the world does not hinder the church’s witness to the world, but rather enhances the church’s witness to the world.

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