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    Koers

    versión On-line ISSN 2304-8557
    versión impresa ISSN 0023-270X

    Koers (Online) vol.74 no.3 Pretoria  2009

     

    The necessity of an integral Christian worldview: Reconnoitring the challenges for influencing the unbelieving world

     

    Die noodsaaklikheid van 'n integrale Christelike wêreldbeskouing: Verkenning van die uitdagings vir beïnvloeding van die ongelowige wêreld

     

     

    P.M. Theron; G.A. Lotter

    School of Ecclesiastical Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom E-mail: ptvila@gmail.com, george.lotter@nwu.ac.za

     

     


    ABSTRACT

    Christians often conclude from the apostle Paul's warning: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14), that he condemns all contact with non-Christians and advocates total withdrawal from the world. However, Christians are called to "influence the world". They need to find the fine balance between an exclusive and an accommodating Christianity. Being continously aware of and grounded in the Christian worldview will guide Christians to realise their calling to be "reformers" in all spheres of life. Christians are called to contribute to society's transformation by means of a comprehensive view of full-time service to God in every area of life. Christianity can only influence the world effectively if it is grounded in an integral Christian worldview and continually addresses the economy, politics, society, culture, religion, education and society as a whole. Flowing from the discussion, proposed guidelines for influencing the unbelieving world will be given at the end of the article.

    Key concepts: Christians; unbelievers


    OPSOMMING

    Christene dink dikwels dat die apostel Paulus met sy waar-skuwing: "Moenie met ongelowiges in dieselfde juk trek nie" (2 Kor. 6:14), alle kontak met nie-Christene veroordeel en dat hy totale onttrekking aan die wêreld voorstaan. Christene word egter geroep om die "wereld te beïnvloed". Hulle moet die fyn balans tussen 'n eksklusiewe en 'n akkommoderende Christenskap vind. 'n Voortdurende bewuswees van en gegrondwees in die Christelike lewensbeskouing, sal Christene laat besef dat hulle 'n roeping het om "hervormers" op alle terreine van die lewe te wees. Christene is geroep tot transformasie van die gemeenskap deur middel van 'n omvattende beeld van voltydse diens aan God op elke terrein van die lewe. Die Christendom kan alleen die wêreld effektief beïnvloed indien dit in 'n integrale Christelike wêreldbeskouing gegrond is en voortdurend betrokke is by die eise van die ekonomie, politiek, gemeenskap, kultuur, godsdiens, opvoedkunde en die gemeenskap in sy totaliteit. Voortspruitende uit die artikel, word ten slotte riglyne voorgestel vir die beïnvloeding van die ongelowige wêreld.

    Kernbegrippe: Christene; ongelowiges


     

     

    Full text available only in PDF format.

     

     

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