The Church and the World: their Antinomianism in the Biblical and Theological Understanding

Abstract

The issues of relationship between Church and the world cannot be properly considered outside the biblical and especially evangelical context. The secularization approach does not provide for any single strictly established external authority. This role can be claimed by science or ideology, an "objective" historical process or the demands of progress, and many more. On the contrary, the religious approach provides for a strictly defined hierarchy of its values, spiritual practices, and their implementation. Christianity is based on the Revelation of God, and through His Church, God reveals to Christians a correct understanding of what is happening around them in its spiritual aspects, in spiritual patterns, and in his unshakable institutions. Through such basic religious concepts, Christians can lead their spiritual life, build relationships with the world around them, determine their roles in it, assess what is happening, and choose the necessary course of action. This article examines the concepts of "Church" and "world", their antinomianism, their biblical and theological content, and the necessary ascetic principles in their relationship. In addition, the authors investigate the problem of Christian renunciation of the external world and the need to achieve the inner, God's world, for this purpose. In the Orthodox understanding, such a path of constant external renunciation accompanied by constant inner spiritual search is defined as an active search by a Christian for the God’s will for the sake of its implementation in their lives.