While there certainly were ancient Roman philosophers that wrote about a “higher moral standard” within a Roman pagan culture. Musonius Rufus urged men to refrain from adultery, drunkenness, and other vices. Other philosophers wrote about various forms of sexual immorality like sex with prostitutes and infanticide (infant exposure). However, the difference between the philosophers of the day and the Christian movement was that their writings were not intended to transform a society. Indeed, they were more concerned with the transformation of a philosophical school of thought than in changing a pagan Roman culture.
Whether it was through the writings of Paul, apologists like Justin Martyr or the early church fathers, the intent of early Christianity and the church was to equip believers to be able to live within a pagan Roman context. The church (community of believers) was distinct from its surrounding world. In the context of the Kingdom, the church is to transform believers using doctrinal truths provided by the partial revelation of God’s Kingdom in the coming of Jesus Christ.
What I see in the western church today for the most part is a body that has conformed to the world and is no longer distinctive. As the church has become further removed from the Christ event and the apostolic ministry, it has evolved into a “worldly church” from a “biblical church.” There are many reasons for this and that is the purpose of this page and the future podcast. However, steps need to be taken to change the church into body of believers that are distinct from the world that surrounds them.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2a, ESV).
