Holding Center: The Theocentric Unity of Truth in the Postmodern World -- By: Timothy R. Nichols

Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 11:1 (Spring 2005)
Article: Holding Center: The Theocentric Unity of Truth in the Postmodern World
Author: Timothy R. Nichols


Holding Center: The Theocentric Unity of Truth
in the Postmodern World

Timothy R. Nichols

Timothy R. Nichols received his most significant biblical education from his father, Rev. Edd Nichols. He went on to spend three years at Florida Bible College, and completed his B.S. at Southeastern Bible College in 1997. After a brief interlude, Tim continued his education at Chafer Theological Seminary, graduating with a Th.M. in 2004. Tim presently ministers at Tekna Bible Church in Hemet, CA, and is an instructor at Chafer Theological Seminary in Orange, CA. His email address is [email protected].

Most of the articles in the CTS Journal explain a controversial point of doctrine or elucidate an oft misunderstood passage of Scripture. This article will do neither. The doctrines at issue here are so basic to the Christian life that it would be difficult to disagree with them, and the passages of Scripture that inform this article are generally understood. However, Christians often do not understand certain applications of these doctrines and Scriptures to life in the modern world.

The basic doctrine at hand will be the biblical teaching on the Christian’s enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Specifically, this article will focus on one particular way the world opposes the Christian life. A key passage for the discussion will be 1 John 2:15–17:

Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

Scripture uses the term world (κοσμος) in different ways,1 but here it refers to all that is temporary: the things of this life and our desires (of sight, body, and ego) for those things. The sense of the command is quite plain: believers are not to love the things of this world because this world is temporary, and believers must value the eternal above the temporal.2

The negative connotations associated with the term world become clearer further into the book:

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.3

And this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you ...

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