Mundo: os três sentidos da palavra na Bíblia

Os três sentidos da palavra mundo na Bíblia

Na Bíblia, a palavra "mundo" tem três sentidos principais: a criação física de Deus, a humanidade e o sistema corrompido pelo pecado que opera contra o Criador. Compreender essa distinção resolve a aparente contradição entre Deus amar o mundo e ordenar que o cristão não ame o mundo.

Primeiro, o mundo é o universo físico criado por Deus e sustentado por Ele:

1 The earth [is] the LORD-Yehōvah’s [Messiah Pre-Incarnate], and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.(Tehillim - Psalms 24:1,2)

Segundo, o mundo representa as pessoas — a humanidade caída e frágil, que Deus ama e deseja resgatar:

16 For God-The Father so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(John 3:16)

Terceiro, o mundo refere-se à ordem moral rebelde contra Deus, governada pelo pecado e sob influência maligna:

19 [And] we know that we are of God-The Father, and the whole world lies in wickedness.(1 John 5:19)

Por que a Bíblia adverte contra o amor ao mundo

Quando o apóstolo João adverte contra o amor ao mundo, o texto bíblico não condena a criação nem o amor ao próximo. O alerta combate a submissão aos valores de um sistema independente de Deus, caracterizado pela cobiça e pela soberba:

15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.(1 John 2:15,16)

17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God-The Father abides forever.(1 John 2:17)

Tiago usa uma linguagem igualmente firme para lembrar que adotar as prioridades desse sistema hostil coloca a pessoa em rota de colisão com a vontade divina:

4 You2f adulterers and adulteresses, know you2f not that the friendship of the world is hatred (being an enemy) with God-The Father? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God-The Father.(Jacob 4:4)

No mundo, mas sem ser do mundo

Jesus não pediu a Deus que retirasse os Seus discípulos da convivência na sociedade, mas que os guardasse do mal. A fé bíblica não promove o isolamento da cultura, e sim a lealdade a Deus em meio às pressões diárias:

15 I pray not that youi should take them out of the world, but that youi should keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify (make holy; set apart for God’s use) them through youri truth: youri word is truth.

18 As youi have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.(John 17:15-18)

18 If the world hate you, you2f know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

19 If you2f were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you2f are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.(John 15:18,19)

O apóstolo Paulo mostra o caminho prático para essa caminhada: não se moldar aos padrões do presente século, buscando uma mente renovada para reconhecer e viver a vontade de Deus:

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be you2f transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you2f may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God-The Father.(Romans 12:2)

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God-The Father and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.(Jacob 1:27)

11 For the grace of God-The Father that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;(Titus 2:11,12)

Sal da terra e luz do mundo

Em vez de fugir do convívio ou assimilar os vícios do ambiente, o cristão é chamado a agir com integridade, influenciando positivamente as pessoas e anunciando as boas-novas:

13 At that time Yeshua [God is Salvation] said to his disciples: "You are salt in the world. If the salt is neutralized in regard to its taste with what will it be salted? It is fit for nothing but to be cast outside to be trampled underfoot".

14 "You are light in the world. A city built upon a hill cannot be hidden".(Gosel 5:13,14)

15 And he said unto them, Go you2f into all the world, and preach the Gospel (joyful message) to every creature.(Mark 16:15)

Jesus confronta a ambição humana ao lembrar que a conquista de todas as vantagens terrenas perde o valor se a integridade da alma for abandonada:

26 "What profit is there for a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his soul forever; what good exchange does a man make if, for present things that are spoiled, he should give his soul to the judgment of Gei-Hinnom [hell, valley of evil counsel]?"(Gosel 16:26)

A vitória sobre o sistema do mundo

A Bíblia não promete imunidade a conflitos e pressões externas. A segurança de quem crê repousa na vitória consumada por Jesus Cristo sobre todas as forças de oposição:

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you2f might have peace. In the world you2f shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.(John 16:33)

4 For whatsoever is born of God-The Father overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, [even] our faith.(1 John 5:4)

4 You2f are of God-The Father, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.(1 John 4:4)

A resposta contra as ideologias vazias e os enganos do mundo depende do discernimento e das defesas espirituais que Deus concede:

8 Beware lest any man spoil (plunder; prey; booty) you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Moshiach [Messiah].(Colossians 2:8)

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities (rulers or their territory), against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high [places].(Ephesians 6:12)