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 Yahweh’s, with its fullness;

the world, and those who dwell in it.

2 For he has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the floods.(Psalms 24:1,2)

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

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

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

19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.(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 Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.(1 John 2:15,16)

17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains 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 You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.(James 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 you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:15-18)

18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose 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 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.(Romans 12:2)

27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.(James 1:27)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;(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 "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. (Matthew 5:13,14)

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation. (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 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 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 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.(1 John 5:4)

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you than he who 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 Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elemental spirits of the world, and not after Christ.(Colossians 2:8)

12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12)