I do not see any scriptural mandate to geographically separate from unbelievers today, generally speaking, although there are surely cases where it would be appropriate. But our lives should be so different, so set apart, that we WILL be separate in all the important ways. We should be as separated in our lives, as Israel was to be physically.

Light cannot coexist with darkness – the darkness is driven out. Christians are “the savour of death unto death” to those who are perishing. (2 Cor 2:15-16). Who’s going to stay around someone who smells like a rotting corpse?

That’s 100% purely self-christened personal opinion. Period. It sounds good and spiritual (especially to the choir to which Sproul so often preaches) but I beg to differ — as would Paul I believe: For example, Paul didn’t say, “Pagan Gods? I don’t know any of them! I could case less. I couldn’t name enough of them to fill even the smallest temple’s worship roster!” (echoes of Sproul there) Rather, Paul knew the culture in which he ministered: “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” He spoke to the culture they practiced, and spoke truth against it. When Paul said, “I see that?” it clearly shows he saw, knew and therefore understood fully what he was dealing with — he appraised their culture and condition accurately. It’s very difficult to minister directly to a culture we do not understand. I believe the more Biblical (and therefore more effective) way is to address the world’s nonsense with the Truth.

I’m always wary of dogmatic Christian separatism falsely premised on a rigid dichotomy that says “you’re either separate (e.g., cut off and clueless) or else you’re just a carnal worldly Christian and no-good evangelist!!!!” (or some smoother-tongued version to that effect). This distinction is neither Biblical nor logical, nor does it often come without the requisite spiritual superiority complex and finger wagging (red flag right there). Knowing about and understanding our culture (as did Jesus, Peter, et al.) does NOT make one “of the world.” Also, even a Christian can understand and appreciate the struggles, pains, joys, etc. that non-Christian writers, lyricists, photographers and others express in their works. This doesn’t mean we endorse or internalize their world view, no matter what contrary accusations would be leveled by our separatist brethren. Indeed I have looked up lyrics or even bought a CD to address what it says. Knowing the lyrics of the “real Slim Shady” (Eminem) and being able to ANSWER those lyrics with the hope of the Gospel doesn’t mean I’m “worldly” in my evangelism, any more than Paul was worldly for knowing that there was a temple to an “unknown god.”

I like Sproul’s theology (in most cases), but his sarcasm, tone and broad platitudes betray an underlying arrogance which so often taints his presentation.

I believe that a rigid dichotomy between Christ and the world, the elect and the reprobate, is thoroughly Biblical and fundamental to understanding how to function in the world.

I believe separation from the world – of our lives, not geographical – is also Biblical and is also supported by our history.

I found a link to a great little article on Dead Man Blogging. The article is written by R.C. Sproul Jr and deals with being set apart. I don?t know what shows are on TV, and I don?t know what songs are on the radio. I couldn?t name enough current…