The concept of Old world in Christianity
The Old World, according to various religious perspectives, signifies a state of existence characterized by sin, sorrow, and judgment, contrasting sharply with the promised new life through faith. In Christianity, it represents a time of ancient lawgivers and precepts believed to be divinely inspired, as well as a world before significant catastrophic events, like the flood. This notion captures the ethical and spiritual transformation believers undergo when they detach from their old selves, emphasizing a stark division between the sinful past and the anticipated righteousness of the new world.
Synonyms: Antiquity, Bygone era, Historical period, Ancient, Traditional, Venerable, Historical, Medieval
In Dutch: Oude wereld; In Swedish: Gamla världen; In Malay: Dunia lama; In German: Alte Welt; In Spanish: Viejo mundo; In Finnish: Vanha maailma; In French: Ancien Monde
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Old world'
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This represents the societal norms and attitudes, highlighting the prejudices of race and gender, and the barriers that Jesus overcame to reach all people.[1] (2) This refers to the ancient world, which was characterized by social divisions, and the text contrasts it with the unifying power of the Christian faith, which brought people together.[2] (3) This refers to the past, and the text uses the example of Abraham's prayers to shame our languid petitions and encourage us to pray with holy boldness and persistence.[3] (4) This term is used to refer to a time when other lawgivers existed who professed to formulate their precepts by divine inspiration, but their voices have fallen silent.[4] (5) If we truly trust in His sacrifice there will operate upon us motives which separate and detach us from our old selves and the old world, and a fundamental, ethical, and spiritual change is effected on us through faith, and we were dead in sin, we are dead to sin.[5]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The opinion that the old world was acquainted with astronomy is chiefly founded on the ages of Seth and his descendants, offering an insight into their understanding of the cosmos.[6] (2) Whatever knowledge was possessed by this place was doubtless transmitted to the new by Noah and his sons, who had considerable knowledge of agriculture.[7] (3) The old world is mentioned as being separated from the new world by the mountain, which was once the stepping-stone.[8] (4) Beans are cultivated across a vast geographical area, extending from northern Europe to southern India, with cultivation occurring during colder periods in the latter location.[9] (5) This term refers to the world before the flood, and the text references it in relation to the inscribed pillars, and the extended lifespans of the people who lived during that time.[10]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This phrase describes the heraldings, as described in the text.[11] (2) This phrase refers to the time before the introduction of the new god and is used to highlight the contrast between the new god and the previously existing beliefs.[12] (3) The historical context of prior civilizations that faced destruction.[13]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) The old world was choked with water, and swept away by God, indicating the severity of his judgment when warnings are ignored.[14] (2) This is the world where wickedness did reside, and it is in contrast to the new world where righteousness will dwell.[15]
Gnostic concept of 'Old world'
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) The Old World is where all religion consisted in the deification of the great visible Powers of the Universe, and consequently, all the blessings they could confer were limited to this life.[16]