peculiar people

"For the Christians are distinguished from other people neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. . .they dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. . .They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. . .To sum up all in one word - what the soul is in the body, that are Christians in the world. The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world" *

One of the great marks of the early church was its distinctiveness. In part because of their newfound status, they were the buzz of the Roman Empire. When one reads back through the ancient documents that discuss this novel community it becomes evident that the whole world was watching these devoted followers. As Mathetes demonstrates, the manner of living displayed by these folks was unique and often contrary to the rest of society.

Yet they were part of society, fully engaging their culture as participants. Often 1 Peter 2:11 gets thrown around when discussing the role of Christians in the world. This passage is used to point out the fact that believers are aliens and strangers in the world and thus do not belong here at all. I disagree with that interpretation. A clearer reading of this verse in its proper context refers to those whose citizenship is ultimately found in another place although they presently find themselves here. In fact, Peter points out that we were formerly part of the very community that now regards us as foreigners. We have not immediately left this world.

I believe that this debunks the oversimplistic notion that "we are just a-passin' through" because such a thought inevitably leads to a disconnect with this world that never makes a positive impact for the Kingdom. It does, however, bunk up (?) the idea that we have a job to do, and that our present reality is surrounded by this world. We have changed our citizenship, but remain here to do a very important work. We are surrounded by darkness. . .as a city on a hill.

At the same time we need to remain distinct. All the while we participate in the things of this world (we are not called to be separatists) we do keep in mind that the foundation of our lives is found on a higher plane.

People should talk. Not because we're insensitive-illogical-extremist-hypocritical-kooks, but because we are peculiar people.

We are peculiar people. We are peculiar people.
There is more to who we are than meets the eye.
We are peculiar people. We are peculiar people.
We will shed our human skin and learn to fly.
Yeeah-oh-oh-oh-oh.
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.**


[quotes]
* The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, ca. A.D. 130

**MUTEMATH, "Peculiar People" on Reset - EP