Is America Part of the "World"?

[Dedicated Mind]

James 4:4

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

4 Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.



Is america part of the world system that christians are supposed to hate or is america different, special, unique and ordained?

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

James 4:4

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

4 Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Is america part of the world system that christians are supposed to hate or is america different, special, unique and ordained?

It's not about America, it's about the world system. The carnal ungodly world system knows no boundaries and the focus shouldn't be about hating a country, the focus should be to reject the carnal, ungodly world system. Ungodliness can be found in every country throughout the world.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by seekerman

It's not about America, it's about the world system. The carnal ungodly world system knows no boundaries and the focus shouldn't be about hating a country, the focus should be to reject the carnal, ungodly world system. Ungodliness can be found in every country throughout the world.

i agree that the world system is fallen, but how do you define world system? would you include the policies of the american government as part of the world system?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

Is america part of the world system that christians are supposed to hate or is america different, special, unique and ordained?

I used to believe #2...we are pretty much all raised into this view, yes?

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

I used to believe #2...we are pretty much all raised into this view, yes?

i agree that exceptional is the common myth, but is that a biblical view?

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

i agree that the world system is fallen, but how do you define world system? would you include the policies of the american government as part of the world system?

I would include any policies of any nation which aren't scripturally based to be part of the world system. America, China, Iran, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, ect. But again, it's not about nations, it's about systems.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

i agree that exceptional is the common myth, but is that a biblical view?

If you think American exceptionalism is a myth, you are more deluded than I thought. Actually, the more Marxist thing to do would be to say that our exceptionalism is "unfair" because other countries don't have what we have.

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by seekerman

I would include any policies of any nation which aren't scripturally based to be part of the world system. America, China, Iran, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, ect. But again, it's not about nations, it's about systems.

what are some scripturally based policies? isn't capitalism, nationalism, militarism the main policies of the world system?

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

what are some scripturally based policies? isn't capitalism, nationalism, militarism the main policies of the world system?

The mail policies of the world system has little to do with God, such as love, grace, mercy, longsuffering, prayer, ect. The lack of those is manifested in many ways.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

what are some scripturally based policies? isn't capitalism, nationalism, militarism the main policies of the world system?

Yup. But you are essentially asking people who have (more recently) taken up the mantle of "Christianity" to nullify the indoctrination of years? This amounts to (truthful) statements such as "You are a citizen of a country, or an ambassador of a kingdom; but you cannot be both," with all that that implies; a very difficult sell, in my experience. If you preach this, you will be very lonely, trust me

Believe it, though; and do it, amen.