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Antithesis: n. the opposition or contrast of ideas.
The word antithesis summarizes the Christian position in this present age. It echoes the words of Jesus, when he said, “He that is not with me is against me (Matt. 12:30). It is the principled stand of all the children of God who are against the world, the flesh and the devil.
But what does it exactly entail? Does it mean outright antagonism against anything non-Christian? As the definition shows, the concept is more adapted to the realm of ideas and concepts—it is not a covert way of encouraging physical violence, nor a subtle way of promoting verbal assaults. Rather, the biblical idea of the antithesis is to differentiate between the Christian approach to living and thinking in this world and the unbelieving approach to living and thinking. And it refers to all of life: theology, morals, politics, art, science and any other field of human endeavor.
This antithesis is rooted in the Word of God, the infallible, inerrant, God-breathed Bible. It is here that men, Christians in particular, learn about wickedness, evil and sin; it is here that the Gospel of free sovereign grace is found. It is here that Christians learn to think aright, to develop principles of living and to transform their minds (Roms. 12:1-3). Recognizing the depth of sinful depravity (Eph. 2:1-3), Christians know that unregenerate mankind does not wish to know God and flees from Him in their thoughts, actions and desires (Roms. 1: 18ff.). Recognizing the depth of God’s grace in Christ (Col. 2:3-8), Christians know that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ as he renews our minds, reforms our wills and repairs our emotions.
Since Christ is the source of all truth (Col. 2:3; John 14:16, etc.), and since man attempts to live in his own truth, it is clear that redemption in Christ involves more than merely attending Sunday School. Corrupt man twists everything in the world: atheism in theology, relativism in morals, pragmatism in politics, lewdness in art, and evolution in science. Obviously, every endeavor of man is inundated with sin. It is in opposition to Christ.
And Christ came to redeem man and his world (John 3:16).
That is why biblical antithesis is important: without it these fields of knowledge (science, art, etc.) will be ignored by Christians and conquered by the world, the flesh and the devil. Christians will be regulated to Sunday only while living and thinking like unbelievers the remainder of the week. That ought not be. How Christians think and live is in direct opposition to the world:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God
(Rom. 12:2).
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