Welcome to my sociology blog. We will be discussing how Christians should react/act toward the issues of our social world. How can we be salt in a world such as ours? We hear that phrase “salt of the world” alot these days. What does it mean? So often, as Christians, we have a coded language that only we know the meaning of special words. This is one of those pat phases we use all the time. Pretend you have never heard the phase “salt of the world.” How would you describe what that means without using those words? For me, that means being real, acting out the love of God that was shown to me. Mostly, I need to act out that love to those who do not know His love. So I must engage in this society in which I live. It is not just words (giving out tracks!) but rather physical action. Not that there is anything wrong with giving out tracks – I sure have done alot of that myself – but true salt is those actions that have a lifechanging (savor-changing) effect on those around me. I can’t do that if I surround myself with those like me so I have to move into circles where I am different. This is why I love sociology. It allows me to be engaged in a world that is very unsavory. Some find that distasteful but I find it invigorating.
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36 responses so far ↓
Susan Warner // January 12, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Yikes – I meant “pat” phases!
michael schoonover // January 15, 2007 at 10:05 pm
with taking the literal meaning of salt, salt add flavor and preserves food, so in a around-about way of making a connection. As Christians we need to reach society in a way that makes society better in the same way that salt does for food. We need to address the problems of society and to correct these problems as much as we can which is mostly just sharing the Gospel and trying to change the moral person to change society.
Daniel Cho // January 15, 2007 at 11:42 pm
‘Being and acting as a salt ‘ is different from
living a “sweet” life. Sometimes it is hard to
speak out the truth and rightousness of God.
As young and passionate Christians we have to
build in not only the spiritual worldview but
also a courage to make the true voices to the
world.
Angela Horning // January 16, 2007 at 2:26 am
I think that to be the “salt of the world” means that we need to talk the talk and walk the walk of a Christian. We need to do what the Bible says consistently… and show the world that we, as Christians, have something that they need/want.
David Reke // January 16, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I think there always has to be a balancing act with hanging around with people who need Christ. It is good to witness them, but you must not let people have a bad influence on yourself. My church had a study in Sunday school on homosexuality in the Church and many people just did not understand that.
Kristen Doles // January 17, 2007 at 12:06 am
I like how you said that our world is “unsavory” and that many Christians find interacting with it distasteful. The point of being the “flavor” (or salt) in our world isn’t just to make it a more tasteful place to live. Salt has the effect of making a person hungry/ thirsty for more. As the salt, we aren’t adding flavor just for the sake of the flavor. We’re adding flavor so that people seek more of it… and find the “Living Water” as the satisfaction of that thirst.
Emily Broersma // January 17, 2007 at 12:22 am
I think the way that you described being “salt” in the “unsavory” world. So often I think that we Christians think that this means just preaching Christ to the world. While that is so important and so necessary, if we don’t know how to reach people who are different than us, what good will that do? Or if we’re trying to reach people who are starving, and we tell them that God will provide for their needs but do absolutely nothing for them, how are we helping? I think we forget that in order to truly make a difference in this world for Christ, we have to be able to meet social needs as well.
Kelsey Freed // January 17, 2007 at 1:44 am
I believe that being the “salt of the earth” essentially means practicing in your daily life what you claim to believe. It has become apparent to me that just knowing a lot about what the Bible says is not enough if we are to have a big impact on others around us. We need to apply biblical truths to our lives. My youth pastor once challenged my youth group by saying, “If the people in your life attempted to convict you of being a Christian, would they be able to find enough evidence to back up the accusation?” Having a head full of knowledge alone is not enough. As Christians I believe we are called to reflect Christ through our actions as well.
Justine Ross // January 17, 2007 at 4:13 am
I’m not sure engaging in the world is the right phrase. When talking about being a christian, standing out (in a sense) and being the salt of the world, I don’t think engaging in the world is what we are supposed to do. Understand the world? yes. Go to the places Christ would go and preach and act in the way that Christ would? yes. Stay in our own little areas with our own little Christian friends? certainly not. But engage in the world? I’m not so sure. To me that sounds like you are saying that you want to engage in the world and its activities and attitudes and that is exactly what we are NOT supposed to do.
Susan Warner // January 17, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Justine, what an interesting comment you have posted! It would help if we define engaging. Look at what the dictionary says about this word: http://www.mw.com/dictionary/engage.
Based on this definition, I can see why would would engage the culture we live in. Anyone else want to make a comment about engaging????
trenton simon // January 18, 2007 at 4:35 am
In reading Mark Cahill’s book One Thing You can’t do in Heaven, I have had my eyes opened to the plethora of opportunities to be salty. Mark is seen at many places that Christians wouldn’t normally go to evangelize such as bars, pride fairs, skate parks, as well as malls and sporting events. It has challenged me to look for an opportunity to relate to others and initiate conversation in some of the most unorthodox ways. To sum up his book, if we don’t approach them with the truth who will?
Christopher Travis // January 18, 2007 at 5:46 am
As Christians in an environment like that of Cedarville, we are being fed daily with the amazing knowlegde of God, and He is constantly equipping us to carry out His will by being salt and light in this world, but I feel that so many times that gift is wasted. I think that as individuals we focus too much on taking the truths and principles that God reveals to us and soaking them up for our own personal gain: And if not for that, than to build up other belivers around us, when instead we should be using our lives as instruments to share the love of Christ with those who don’t already know.
Caleb Barton // January 18, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Christopher I understand what you mean when it feels like we don’t have an opportunity in Cedarville to be salt and light to a world in need. However, I would not consider using the truths and principles that we learn for ourselves and to build up other believers as a waste. How else are we to grow in our faith if we do not apply truths that we have learned to our own lives? It is through this sharing of what God reveals to us that helps us become the best salt and light that we can be.
Ruthie Plasterer // January 18, 2007 at 8:08 pm
There are so many people that need to be reached, even in Ohio, and Cedarville presents many opportunities for us to be the “salt of the world”. I’m looking forward to being more prepared to minister to our world (which we are undeniably in but not of, as Christians) in this sociology class.
Jihoi Hwang // January 20, 2007 at 4:53 am
I think that “salt of the world” means strong man with influential power in this world. Influential power doesn’t mean richness or higher social status concerning worldly power in this earth. It talks about ‘noble perspective’ fitting for Kingdom of Heaven. We must become ‘leading person’ for this world, but sometimes it might not go with wealth. Christians are living in this world, but not belong to this worldly thought. I think that we are beyond this world.
Jesus Christ teaches us that we must be the salt and light of this world. Salt never loses it saltiness, so salt must be always salty. In the same way, God already has given high potential/purpose in my life. I think that “salt” means potential/ purpose gotten from God in my life.
Jihoi Hwang // January 20, 2007 at 5:01 am
I think that “salt of the world” means strong man with influential power in this world. Influential power doesn’t mean richness or higher social status concerning worldly power in this earth. It talks about ‘noble perspective’ fitting for Kingdom of Heaven. We must become ‘leading person’ for this world, but sometimes it might not go with wealth. Christians are living in this world, but not belong to this worldly thought. I think that we are beyond this world.
Jesus Christ teaches us that we must be the salt and light of this world. Salt never loses it saltiness, so salt must be always salty. In the same way, God already has given high potential/purpose in my life. I think that “salt” means potential/ purpose gotten from God in my life.
Amanda Beesley // January 20, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Growing up, I have heard this phrase many times, but I never really fully grasped what it meant. One way to look at this phrase is to go back to that basic meaning of salt and what it does when you put it in or on food. Basically, it enhances food and brings out its hidden flavor. When we are being the “salt of the world”, we are living by example and spreading the turth of the Gospel to people to enhance them. We are bringing out their hidden need for God and spiritual things.
Randi Raimer // January 20, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Back to the comment about engaging. We are told to be seperate from the world but not seperated. Meaning we should not hide in the corner of our churches excluded from unbelievers but we are to go out and love them and befriend them but not to the point where you are participating in the same activities. Yes we still need to surrond ourselves with other believers for that support but not to seclude ourselves from anyone else.
Ashley Gleichauf // January 20, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I agree with Randi. We should be out there spreading the Gospel and showing the love of Christ to those that are lost – not only through our words but through our actions and lifestyle. We are commanded to go out and make disciples as Dr. Brown has reitterated to us so many times. Remember who told you about Jesus and showed you the abundant life you could have through Him?
Katie McGee // January 20, 2007 at 8:58 pm
In John 6 Jesus tells the crowd that they are following Him around not because He had just fed 5000 people but because He was the giver of TRUE life. Everybody is searching for that life that only God gives, whether they are aware of it or not. Because we know Christ, we have His life in us, and it cannot help but be noticed by other people when we are around them. The key point seems to be that we have to be around them, we have to be out there, with the people.
Stacie Peden // January 21, 2007 at 6:39 pm
When explaining what it means to be “salt of the world”, I think it’s like trying to add favor to the world and the people. As Christians that favor would be the word of Jesus. Being able to add favor to people’s life who do not know of Jesus and the greatness He brings. Stepping out of the box as Christians and exploring new areas of the world and experiencing new culture and people, we can as Christians use ourselves like salt and tell about Jesus, to really help them taste the word as much as we love it.
Amanda Sutton // January 21, 2007 at 6:46 pm
The Bible makes the point that salt that has lost its saltiness is no longer good. Christians who have no witness for Christ may find that they are of little use in sharing His light to the outside world. Of course, one can lose saltiness by living a lifestyle displeasing to God, and thus not having a transformed life to present as an example to a world in need of transformation. However, it’s not only “fallen” Christians who lose opportunities to be salt for the Lord, it is those of us who know that we have the truth to share, and simply don’t share it. We may be learning about society, but the only way our knowledge is of any real use is when we apply it.
Sarah Bresson // January 21, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I agree with many of the blogs that talk about being the “salt of the world”. I think we need to act out our faith and people should be able to tell that we are Christians. We shouldn’t “engage ourselves” as Justine said but let people know there is something different about us so they might wonder what we have that they don’t. Being an example of Christ is something people should see in our lives.
Ryan Hyde // January 21, 2007 at 7:47 pm
That particular phrase reminds me of Philippians 12-18 which says we are to be lights in the world. We as Chrisitans should shine even when we are in the darkest places, for it is in those times that we shine the brightest.
Emily Santmyer // January 21, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I believe that being salt and light, means that we need to be a light in the darkness of the world that we live in. I think a lot of times as Christians, we tend to avoid those who have views different from ours. Like those who drink and party, although i completely agree that that is wrong and that we shouldn’t do those things; sometimes I feel we forget that God loves them the same amount He loves us. As Christians, God calls us to walk the walk but also to walk it everywhere not just in our Christian circles. Even in the darkest of places, with Christ we will shine.
Caitlin Allen // January 21, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I definitely agree with the last two comments. As oversimplified and obvious as it sounds, the thing that I realized as I read through everyone’s comments was that salt can only be “savor-changing” if it falls on something that’s unsavory – and light can only be light when there is darkness. It just feels like many Christians go out of their way to avoid the world, instead of getting out there with those who don’t know Christ but who, like Emily commented, are just as loved by God as we are.
Eric Smith // January 21, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I think a lot of people have already said this, but being the salt of the world, like being the salt of corn on the cob, makes it better. We should be adding flavor to the world and people should notice it.
I think we should engage the study of sociology for sure. Many of the aspects of sociology are not just a secular subject. God created people and society, and we should learn more about that in order to learn more about him.
Charissa Rowe // January 21, 2007 at 11:03 pm
When people think of salt, they most likely think of the functions that salt performs. In the past, salt provided a way to preserve food. In more recent times, salt has been used to provide flavor for food and to melt ice on roads. When we apply these functions that salt performs to the phrase “the salt of the earth,” several implications exist.
First of all, as salt, we should help preserve the world around us. In the context of this verse, we are to preserve holiness and Christ-likeness in the world. As Christians, we are given the Holy Spirit to help us conquer sin—an ability that nonbelievers do not possess. Therefore, we are to preserve (or continue to live) righteous lives.
Secondly, we should provide flavor for the world around us. People should be around us and “taste” something different about us. We should be like a breath of fresh air in our love, moral standards, and walk with Christ. It should be evident to all that we taste like Christ.
Finally, we should help melt the “ice” in our world. We should try to witness to people to lead them to Christ. We should be ambassadors for Christ and melt away the sin and depravity in our world by teaching people the way to conquer sin and death.
Gena Bravick // January 21, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I think that being salt of the world implies that we, as Christians, are to make a difference in the world. When salt is used, there are various purposes for its use, like Charissa said. It can preserve food or make it taste better. In both instances, it makes a difference. Christians are also to make a difference in this world because we know Christ and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. In order to be salt, we need to go where it is “unsavory,” as previously mentioned. We just need to make sure that in engaging the unsavory we don’t become unsavory ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we can lose our salvation, but rather that we should stand out more than we blend in. Ultimately, we should look to the example of Jesus and how He lived His life on earth. He is the ultimate example of how to be “salt.”
Sarah Hamilton // January 21, 2007 at 11:32 pm
To me, the phrase “salt of the earth” means that we are to make the world a better place. Yes, for us, but more importantly, for those around us. If you think about it, salt makes things taste better, right? In the same way, we should live the life that Christ calls us to so that we can make a difference in this unsavory world.
Dani-Rae Morgan // January 22, 2007 at 1:00 am
I found it very refreshing when you said “It allows me to be engaged in a world that is very unsavory. Some find that distasteful but I find it invigorating.”
Not very many people take this way of thinking personally. What I mean by that is, they see a situation or a people that seem ‘unsavory’ and they avoid it. Growing up in Africa, I encountered people who did not know about the love of Christ, but believed in evil spirits and witch doctors. What if everyone saw Africa as unsavory and avoided it? Where would those people be? This topic reminds me of Galatians 2:20 which says that Christ lives in us, and that we should live by faith of the Son of God. If we have this amazing gift, why would we avoid the ‘unsavory’? There are so many people that ignore the whole ’salt of the world’ responsibility that we have.
Caitlin Hull // January 22, 2007 at 1:44 am
I agree with what you said about being the “salt of the world,” especially the part about the tracts. For example, I’ve heard waitresses talk negatively about Christians because they leave tracts instead of tips at restaurants. Part of being the salt of the world involves setting an example to non-Christians, and I think that while tracts can be effective, sometimes they can do just the opposite.
Being the salt of the world also involves personally sharing our faith and demonstrating unconditional love. While I agree with those of you who said that sharing our faith is difficult to work on while attending Cedarville, we can still work on the second part. There’s always someone in Chuck’s, in your hall, or in one of your classes who is shunned by others (including Christians) or just annoys you. Everyday we have the opportunity to be the salt of the earth to these people.
samantha coffill // January 22, 2007 at 4:23 am
I find your statements so true. I love how you said that you need to be around people that are different than you are in order to stand out. I didn’t realize the controversy of being a “christian” sociologyist were. I love your explaination on why you love sociology so much. To me being salt in light means that we must shine for Jesus in this world. We cannot hide in the dark with our faith. We must be bold for chirst as he was bold for us.
Laura Cover // January 22, 2007 at 4:36 am
As Christians, we are bestowed with an incredible responsibiity to standout, witness, and lead others to Christ. Although we know that our Savior is the one who work in unbelievers hearts and actually “saves” them, we are often the tools through which he works through to reach them. One of our duties while we are still on this earth is obviously to grow in our walk with the Lord, becoming more like Him everyday as well as discipling other believers for the same purpose, but this is all so we can be more equipped to share the gospel with others and have an outstanding testimony. We are to be set apart, but only in order to bring others to Christ. This is our primary duty on earth, or else Christ would have taken us to heaven as soon as we became his child. Being the salt of the earth means making it a better and more valuable place by shining Christs light on this otherwisae worthless and wreched place through our fruitful Christian lives.
Brad Muschott // January 22, 2007 at 5:39 am
I think that we as Christians at a Christian College have a great opportunity to learn God’s word and grow deeper into a relationship with our Lord. Though this is a blessing and an amazing chance, I think that we are almost too confortable at Cedarville with our society and hardly ever get the chance to be “the salt of the world” in an environment when basically everybody is already a Christian. I guess we are on our way to becoming prepared for the world outside of Cedarville when we graduate, which is great I think, but sometimes I wonder how better or worse my faith would be if I went to a secular College. I would hope that I would still be able to keep my testimony and be a light towards those that need Him the most.
Nesbitt // January 22, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Salt of the Earth is a fine example because the humand body does need salt to servive. However like all examples it is not perfect. To much salt can be toxic to the human body. The phrase “salt of the earth” but is you salt the earth you will destroy it. The Romans used to salt the ground of and around a city that rebelled or was very tough to capture to make the land barren and un useable for ever after. So like everything in life this is not a perfect.