Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World [Hardcover]

C. J. Mahaney (Editor), John Piper (Foreword), Dave Harvey (Contributor), Bob Kauflin (Contributor), Jeff Purswell (Contributor), Craig Cabaniss (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2008

This resource uncovers the presence of worldliness and helps believers learn to relate to the world while resisting its influence in their lives.

People today are saturated in technology and prosperity. They are bombarded with endless luxuries: clothes to wear, cars to buy, vacations to take, entertainment to enjoy. Yet this world, which offers so many pleasures, is actively opposed to God and the truth of His Word. How, then, is the believer to relate to the world in which he or she lives?

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World uncovers the presence of worldliness-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has or does. Worldliness then reveals how Christians are to engage a fallen world and boldly preach the gospel, yet not be conformed and ultimately seduced by the system of this world.

As readers learn to identify the presence of worldliness in the areas of media, modesty, music, and material possessions, they can begin to resist its influence in their lives and instead pursue eternal godliness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

C. J. Mahaney and friends-men I trust-have written an excellent treatment of a vital and recently neglected subject. The difference between the world and the church is eroding at an alarming rate, and we need help with holiness. This book is biblically grounded and Christ-centered, full of grace and truth. Every chapter raises the bar of Christian living without falling into legalism. One of the most timely and much-needed books I've read in years. I highly recommend it. Randy Alcorn, author, If God is Good and Heaven Around this book there should be wrapped a warning label: In Case of Drifting: Open Immediately. You could be in serious trouble and not even realize it. C.J. Mahaney and his team of contributors expertly address the issues that prompt that subtle, insidious, silent slide away from God that each of us is prone to take. Pay attention to this thought-provoking work and protect your heart for God. James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Chicagoland Area; radio teacher, Walk in the Word This book is biblical, practical, pastoral, and wise. It is honest about the authors' own temptations, and it is so specific it will be controversial! But such a book is greatly needed as a challenge today-for all of us. Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary, Phoenix, Arizona In this broken world, it is not easy to promote holiness without succumbing to mere moralism; it is not easy to fight worldliness without giving in to a life that is constrained by mere rules. In these pages you find a valiant attempt at promoting holiness and combating worldliness without falling into these traps. Most of the focus is on the subtlety of individual temptations and sins rather than on the equally subtle temptations to large-scale social evils. But the strength of the work is that the authors try very hard not to let you forget the sheer God-centeredness of the gospel, the glory of the cross of Christ. We will best combat worldliness when we are most drawn to Christ. But that spectacularly wonderful truth does not mean there are no wise barriers to erect and no judgment calls to be made, such that we find ourselves pursuing excellence and refusing to be satisfied with mediocrity. If this book promotes such serious and joyful living, it will have accomplished its goal. --D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

"C. J. Mahaney and friends-men I trust-have written an excellent treatment of a vital and recently neglected subject. The difference between the world and the church is eroding at an alarming rate, and we need help with holiness. This book is biblically grounded and Christ-centered, full of grace and truth. Every chapter raises the bar of Christian living without falling into legalism. One of the most timely and much-needed books I've read in years. I highly recommend it."
—Randy Alcorn, founder and director, Eternal Perspective Ministries; author, If God Is Good and Heaven

"Around this book there should be wrapped a warning label: 'In Case of Drifting: Open Immediately. You could be in serious trouble and not even realize it.' C.J. Mahaney and his team of contributors expertly address the issues that prompt that subtle, insidious, silent slide away from God that each of us is prone to take. Pay attention to this thought-provoking work and protect your heart for God."
—James MacDonald, Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel; author, Vertical Church

"This book is biblical, practical, pastoral, and wise. It is honest about the authors' own temptations, and it is so specific it will be controversial! But such a book is greatly needed as a challenge today-for all of us."
—Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary

"In this broken world, it is not easy to promote holiness without succumbing to mere moralism; it is not easy to fight worldliness without giving in to a life that is constrained by mere rules. In these pages you find a valiant attempt at promoting holiness and combating worldliness without falling into these traps. Most of the focus is on the subtlety of individual temptations and sins rather than on the equally subtle temptations to large-scale social evils. But the strength of the work is that the authors try very hard not to let you forget the sheer God-centeredness of the gospel, the glory of the cross of Christ. We will best combat worldliness when we are most drawn to Christ. But that spectacularly wonderful truth does not mean there are no wise barriers to erect and no judgment calls to be made, such that we find ourselves pursuing excellence and refusing to be satisfied with mediocrity. If this book promotes such serious and joyful living, it will have accomplished its goal."
—D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"In the word worldliness is contained one of the great problems of evangelical Christianity in our time. Here in the West, in the English-speaking world, churches and Christians have been seriously compromised by worldliness. This danger and diagnosis is critical for us to understand. In worldliness, our mind, will and affections, our thinking, living and desiring become captive to a lesser joy than the real and true joy that is only found in treasuring God and His glory in Jesus Christ. Worldliness is thus soul-destroying and joy-robbing because it tricks our hearts into seeking satisfaction in what can never satisfy and thus slowly strangles us of the experience of being fully alive to God. That's why John Newton (who knew this from experience) wrote in one of his great hymns: 'Fading is the worldling's pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know.' Because this spiritual malady is one of epic proportions, because it is destroying churches and Christians on every side, because it stalks me and my own congregation, I am deeply grateful that my dear friend C.J. Mahaney (along with Dave Harvey, Bob Kauflin, Jeff Purswell and Craig Cabaniss) has tackled this vital pastoral issue. These wise shepherds have a way of getting to your heart in this book (I know this because in reading it, they got to mine). And in Christianity, as J.C. Ryle liked to say, 'The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.' These skillful soul-surgeons are brilliant at diagnosis and treatment, and will help you see yourself, see your sin and see your Savior. I now know that first book I am going to reach for when a Christian is wrestling with worldliness, or isn't but should be! The questions they offer for self-examination are, in and of themselves, of strategic value in our fight of faith for joy. This is a book I will make use of, by God's grace, again and again."
—J. Ligon Duncan, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

"Worldliness is normally invisible to us, like water to a fish. That's one of the reasons why it's so dangerous to us. In this book, C. J. Mahaney and friends cause it to appear! Now we are able to discern and resist and contend. Praise God for this little tool-specific enough to be helpful, grace-filled enough to be really helpful!"
—Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC; President, 9Marks

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Crossway; First Edition edition (September 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433502801
• ISBN-13: 978-1433502804
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Up to Mahaney's Usual Standards October 27, 2008

By Tim Challies TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Any book on worldliness faces a difficult challenge. The author who takes too firm a stand on issues may slip into legalism while the author who takes too lax a stand may slip into the worldliness he seeks to avoid. The discerning author will need to tread the line, being careful to say no more than Scripture does while still dealing effectively with issues of contemporary importance. Because such a book is long overdue I was pleased to see that Worldliness would be coming from C.J. Mahaney and those whom John Piper affectionately refers to as "his gang."

Mahaney handles the introductions in this book, beginning with a reflection called "Is This Verse in Your Bible?" He biblically defines worldliness saying that this world we're not supposed to love is "the organized system of human civilization that is actively hostile to God and alienated from God." Worldliness is a love for this fallen world and, specifically, "to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God." Mahaney is careful to point out that worldliness is not extrinsic to us but intrinsic, inhabiting our fallen hearts. Worldliness does not consist of outward actions (though such actions can certainly be evidence of worldliness) but instead is a heart attitude that rebels against God. The antidote to worldliness is the cross of Christ. "Only through the power of the cross of Christ can we successfully resist the seduction of the fallen world." Worldliness dulls our affections for Christ and distracts our hearts from him. Hence it is so serious "because Christ is so glorious." While resisting worldliness is the theme of the book, its aim is to exalt Christ.

Each of the subsequent chapters is meant to build on this foundation. In "God, My Heart, and Media," Craig Cabaniss discusses issues related to the pervasiveness of media in our society. Cabaniss grounds the discussion in grace, saying "any discussion of biblical obedience, including entertainment guidelines, must spring from a robust understanding of grace." He offers the fair warning that we must guard our hearts as the conscience is prone to become dull over time. As we relax our standards and as we engage in ungodly media habits, our hearts may slowly become dulled to the things of Christ. He warns against the temptation to see anyone with stricter standards as us as legalistic while seeing anyone with more lenient standards as worldly. He encourages us to view proactively, to view accountably and to view gratefully.

In "God, My Heart, and Music," Bob Kauflin takes on the subject of music, beginning with the fact that music was God's idea long before it crossed the mind of any human. He states that "listening to music without discernment and godly intent reveals a heart willing to flirt with the world." Saying that music itself is amoral (there are no holy or unholy harmonies or melodies) he warns that music does convey three things: content, context and culture. The Christian will need to discern what is being communicated through the music he listens to in order to ensure that he is not, perhaps inadvertently, absorbing messages that would conflict with his Christian faith. Kauflin closes with some good thoughts on using music for the glory of God.

To this point I felt the book was excellent. Though in a work of this nature each of the chapters could be little more than a cursory introduction to what might have been a book-length project, I felt the authors did a great job of teaching, exhorting and illustrating while avoiding those perilous extremes of worldliness and legalism. Unfortunately I felt that Worldliness soon stalled out badly. And this is where the job of a book reviewer gets tough. What do you do when you like an author (or a group of authors) but just don't like the book they've produced?

The fourth chapter, entitled "God, My Heart, and Stuff" was authored by Dave Harvey. While I haven't ever met Dave (at least to my recollection) I have benefited from reading his book When Sinners Say 'I Do'. From my experience in reading that book I had high hopes for his contribution to this one. I was disappointed. While he addressed the heart so well in his book on marriage, in this case I found little of real depth. The next chapter, from the pen of C.J. Mahaney is titled "God, My Heart, and Clothes" and discusses the issue of modesty. It had very little application to men beyond stating that this is an issue for pastors and fathers to consider. Ultimately he provided a lot of quotes and a few good thoughts on modesty and encouraged women to dress properly. Both of the book's appendices carried on the theme, with "A Modesty Heart Check" and "Considering Modesty on Your Wedding Day." But this was a superficial look at modesty and one that offered little that we haven't heard C.J. and others say before. It did not take the issue of modesty to men (where modesty of heart and intention comes into play) but instead serves as just another encouragement to girls to check their neckline and test their hemline. Jeff Purswell concludes with a chapter titled "How to Love the World" in which he reminds the reader "To impart biblical discernment in areas that increasingly escape the scrutiny of the evangelical world so intent on 'relating to the culture.'" He offers a summary of redemptive history in the grid of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation and gives the reader a three-part charge: to enjoy the world, to engage the world and to evangelize the world. These last three chapters and the appendices were uniformly disappointing to me. I couldn't help but feel that they represented somewhat passionless efforts. Missing was the depth and intensity I'd expect from a book authored (or edited) by Mahaney.

Had I been hoping that this book might be another Humility or The Cross Centered Life, Worldliness would have been quite a disappointment. Though it got off to a strong start, it quickly tapered out. In the end it just seemed shallow--a work of far less depth and offering far less application than I'm accustomed to seeing from a book with Mahaney's name on the cover. It came across as a cobbled-together collection of essays of unequal value. I almost feel I should apologize when I say, it just isn't that good of a book.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better December 2, 2008

By Erik Raymond

Format:Hardcover

Worldliness is a book edited by C.J. Mahaney of Sovereign Grace Ministries. The authors are contributions from the Sovereign Grace family. The subtitle asserts the ambitious goal of the book: "Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World".

As with any book by this title there is a danger right out of the gate to make your points from the reservoir of legalism rather than gospel. Many times this comes from an unbiblical definition of worldliness. Mahaney aims to plug this hole right up front as he quotes 1 John 2.15 but then points out that verses 16-17 (1 John 2.16-17) help define what this is.

Mahaney writes, "Worldliness, then, is a love for this fallen world. It's loving the values and pursuits of this world that stand opposed to God. More specifically, it is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God." (p.27)

From this discussion on worldliness in general the authors move into more specifics. And frankly this is where things get a little disjointed. I felt in reading the book straight through that I was reading 6 different books rather than one book with 6 chapters. Overall the book seemed to lack the unity of thought that leads to logical progression.

Bob Kauflin wrote a chapter on music. Kauflin is always helpful in thinking about music. However, I would have liked to see him talk about "Christian Music" that is not particularly edifying and how believers should not just be buying a label or an artist but exercise discernment. I'm convinced that the theological teaching in many Christian albums do more damage than Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band and Jay-Z (whom Kauflin cites as unhelpful to a Christian's growth).

Mahaney wrote a chapter on modesty, specifically how we dress. Or better, how women dress. In this chapter Mahaney helps ladies to see how their attire can have a desanctifying effect upon their brothers in Christ. No doubt what Mahaney writes is helpful to ladies who may have never thought about this before. I think it would have been helpful to talk about what men do and do not wear as well. It is not just a female problem. Men should be dressing in a way that brings honor to Christ and does not distract or harm others.

I want to pick on one chapter in particular because I think it highlights what was good and bad in this book. The chapter I am reffering to is Craig Cabaniss's piece on God, My Heart, and Media. His goal was to take a look at the effect of media upon our sanctification. Cabaniss spent most of his time with television and movie viewing. Let me first give you the positives.

Cabiniss demonstrates the danger of thoughtless and immune watching. By this he means that we are not mentally and spiritually engaged when we watched and therefore we become dulled and desensitized to what we are seeing. This is a good and much needed warning. Further, the author points out that the `true' enemy is not "out there" but rather he is closer. "He's not lurking behind the curtain in the movie theater. He's much closer. He's us. Our battle is with the flesh." Amen. I was pleased to read this helpful warning.

Cabiniss then raises the `legalism' card. He notes that standards for evaluation of what we should and should not watch are not bad but rather it is our motivation for such standards. "The solution is not necessarily lowering our standards. It is necessarily raising our understanding of and response to the glorious grace of God."

If the chapter would have ended there I would have been more comfortable. But in coming pages we are given nearly two and a half pages of `discernment' questions to evaluate if we should or should not be watching something. I truly believe that the author was trying to be helpful. However, when you give me a list, I want to obey it and I want to obey it for merit. This becomes a problem.

It probably would have been more helpful to help us think redemptively about our time, thoughts and ambitions rather than give me an extrabiblical list of questions to evaluate how godly I am being.

Remember this is to help me discern if I should watch something:

"Is sinful self-sufficiency honored? Are the heroic characters concerned for others or merely for themselves?"

"Does the program or film portray materialism as `the good life'"?

"What's the view of man's nature?"

"What's the view of sin?"

"What is the view of God-ordained authority figures?"

"What is humorous in this work?" How are people made fun of? What is mocked?"

If we rush to answer these questions that we are provided I am fairly certain that we won't ever be able to watch another movie again (this includes most of the so called "Christian movies" since their theology is as jacked up as most secular movies).

Finally, Cabiniss urges us to pursue accountability with others in effort to stem off sin. Accountability is often quite helpful. However, many times folks end up fearing their `accountability partner' while remaining numbly void of a healthy fear of God. This does not kill the root of sin, but unwittingly increases a fear of man (idolatry).

Giving me lists and things to do to tend to create a sort of law that I measure my morality (sanctification) by. I like how the authors talk often about grace, gospel and cross, however, they do not saturate the book with the gospel in such a way that obscures the view of Sinai. I am not saying the book is a handbook on legalism (because it is not) however, I think it could have been much more clear, gospel-dripping, and therefore practical.

I have loved the other books by CJ Mahaney, however, I just can't get behind this one as passionately and wholeheartedly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Presented a Challenge May 6, 2010

By A. Davis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Others think of me as worldly. I don't usually play along with what a lot of Christians are doing to avoid the label of "worldly." For starters, I haven't made the switch to only listen to the Christian radio station. In fact, I never listen to the Christian radio station so I'm always at a loss when people want to talk to me about whatever new album Toby Mac has released. When I was a teenager, I was told of the evils of "secular" music and taught to only listen to Christian music. I did. I learned a lot about the Christian music industry and learned that it was a lot more industry than Christian.

I also don't shun every TV show that AFA doesn't like. I'm not a fan of the American Family Association, so there's that.

I'm a political cynic, so I have yet to buy into the idea that the Republican Party loves Jesus more than the Democratic Party. I think they both love money and power more.

So I don't fit in with Christians a lot. These opinions come up and I get this look from people. It's a look that makes me feel like I have the Ebola virus. My worldliness is exposed. I don't live up to the rules. My only hope is that grace abounds enough to keep talking to me.

So, when I'm standing in line at T4G and the first free book comes my way, I was a little apprehensive when I saw that the title was "Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World." It was edited by C.J. Mahaney. Over the next few days, I learned who he is. (I realize that other T4G attendees think I have just committed heresy so here it is: I was drug to the conference by friends. I didn't know anything about it before I went, but its ok, I enjoyed it. I'm learning as fast as I can, ok?) He struck me as a funny, thoughtful, gracious, compassionate, deeply passionate kind of guy, so I figured I'd give it a read.

Here is what I didn't want: rules. I can find the faults in your rules. I really can. I'm really good at pointing out inconsistencies. Its my judgmental way of dealing with judgmental people (' Look! An inconsistency!), so I'm not impressed with your rules. This book covers worldliness as it pertains to media, music, stuff, and clothing. I expected rules.

I was pleasantly surprised. There were no rules. There were no lists of satanic rock stars. There were no shocking stories of what's on TV. But that doesn't mean its easy to read.

Mahaney and his Sovereign Grace pals do a great job of explaining that worldliness (and holiness for that matter) is not an issue of rules, but an issue of the heart. But, fellow rule-haters, that doesn't let us off the hook so easily. The question I began to ask as I read about the heart issue of worldliness, is what is in my heart when I hate the rules? Granted, no one is anymore holy because they do the right thing for the wrong reason, but its not better doing the wrong thing for the right reason, is it?

The struggle I have is that I know this book is pointing in the right direction. I realize that I am making choices everyday that compromise my faith; that expose my heart for loving something other than Christ.
Applying the rules will not help. I know that. I have long since realized that living according to rules has very little to do with Christ. I just can't stop there. Now I have to look deeper to my heart.

This book is a challenge. If you are like me and you hate the rules, hate the legalism, and hate the judgmental attitude that is so often associated with Christianity, I recommend you read this book. The challenge to be on the right path is before us, even though we have dismissed wrong paths in the past.