A Review - Worldliness - Chapter 1 by C.J. Mahaney

I recently received an advanced copy of Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World, edited by C.J. Mahaney with chapter contributions from C.J., Bob Kauflin, John Piper, Dave Harvey, Jeff Purswell and Craig Cabaniss. I was humbled to be asked to review this book for my blog and look forward to interacting with it. Today's post will focus on chapter one by C.J. Mahaney entitled, “Is This Verse In Your Bible?”

Mahaney starts the chapter by pointing out that all of us have verses in the Bible that we don't like to read. We are tempted to pick and choose that which is most comfortable for us. He states that 1 John 2:15, "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", is probably one of those verses that many of us like to avoid. Why? Because it’s rather black and white and has implications that most of us find uncomfortable. He goes on to say that worldliness for most of us is not something we consciously decide to engage in, but rather is a state of being that we slowly drift into. A lifestyle of worldliness doesn't happen overnight.

I appreciated C.J.’s admition that this issue of worldliness frequently raises the question of legalism. I can relate to this objection. Oftentimes for me, when the topic is raised my first thought association is people who think playing cards equates to being in league with the devil and those that say using drums in church is “using the world’s music”. C.J. reminds us that baggage or no baggage with this verse, 1 John 2:15 is simply God’s word, thus, as Christians; we have to come to terms with it. God is not out to spoil our fun but wants to meet our greatest need, which is to know Him and his ways. Are we going to let God set the terms based on His Word, or are we going to seek to be autonomous from Him by being a law unto ourselves? C.J. reminds us that 1 John 2:15 is not “legalistic restrictions from an irritated God who doesn’t want us to enjoy ourselves.” But rather, “warnings are expressions of God’s mercy and wisdom. They’re given for our good, to protect us from sin and its consequences.”

C.J. states, “The greatest challenge facing American evangelicals is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world.” He then gives this helpful test, “…is your lifestyle obviously different from that of the non-Christian?” That is a great question to think through. If someone opened your checkbook (a great indicator of your values) would they see a difference between how you spend your money and that of a non-Christian?

In his discussion of worldliness I was eager to read his definition of what that looks like and he states it here: “Worldliness, then is a love for this fallen world. It's loving the values and pursuits of the world that stand opposed to God. More specifically, it is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God.”

He then asks, "Does that description sound familiar? Does it describe you?" He provides a list of questions to think through to help you discern one’s heart. "What dominates your mind and stirs your heart? Is it discontentment with your life? Longing for earthly pleasures? Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness? Or is your prayer life characterized by heartfelt supplications for God's will to be done and his kingdom to come? Do you covet the esteem and crave the approval of those around you? Do you go to great lengths to avoid looking foolish or being rejected for your Christian faith? Do you consider present and material results more important than eternal reward? Have you departed from God and adopted idols instead? Are you at war with God? These are tough questions, I know; but they are necessary if you’re to discover whether you have been infected with the disease of worldliness."

These questions caused me to pause and left me feeling a bit uneasy. Haven’t we all been “infected”? As I used this chapter to diagnosis my own level of worldliness, I found myself not sure how to answer because the answer that came back as I contemplated all these questions was, "I am not as unworldly AS I SHOULD BE."

For example, with the question that I quoted above, "Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness?" My answer is sadly, sometimes yes, but also sometimes no. Does any Christian (unless you are one who believes in total sanctification in this life) answer that question with a resounding, "Yes! I have been purged of my sinful pull towards outward prosperity."

I fully know that C.J. whole-heartedly believes in progressive sanctification. But I left this chapter feeling a bit like worldliness in the life of a Christian is a black and white issue. Either you are worldly or you are not. I wish there would have been a statement about the fact that one will never arrive in the fight against worldliness. But keep on fighting! Fight to the death! You will always be a work in progress and when asked how "worldly" are you, you will always have to answer, "Sadly, not as unworldly AS I SHOULD BE." This line of thinking was implied near the end of the chapter where C.J. writes, “…it’s a lifelong battle. We must resist its influence until our dying breath.” But if I didn’t know C.J. and his theological views as well as I do, I might be confused because in the preceding sentence he says, “…hard heart-work will be needed to cut it (worldliness) out.” Is it a life-long battle, or will we be able to completely cut worldliness out of our lives at some point? I wish this was a bit more clear and that he would have stated his views on progressive sanctification a bit more explicitly throughout the whole of the chapter. Perhaps this issue will be fleshed out in the rest of the book. This is perhaps the downside of doing a book review one chapter at a time. I am open to correction as I read the rest of this book.

He closes the chapter by drawing our attention to Jesus and his life and work. The reality of my need for a savior based on my sometimes love for the world draws me to the cross in thanksgiving and praise as I cling to the One who was completely free from worldliness for me. C.J. does a marvelous job drawing our attention to this great Savior who is the remedy for despair for those who are entrenched in worldliness and for those who pridefully think they have it licked. The fight against sin is not a matter of bearing down and forcing ourselves to stop doing certain things, but rather of replacing the folly of our sin with a vision of the glory of the Jesus, His cross and the empty tomb. Therein lies the power to defeat sin and this Jesus is certainly our only hope in our fight against worldliness.