Living in two worlds at the same time, each with its distinctive culture, is a real challenge for contemporary Christians. Hard choices are not optional, they are mandatory. The present world culture formed by human wisdom is exerting great pressure on Christian identity; the changes in Christianity identity are not necessarily the result of violent action as much as careless cultural assimilation.

The clear message interwoven throughout apostolic writings in the NT identifies two issues common to first- century Christians and which are becoming increasingly more relevant to Christians in the twenty-first century:

1. being persecuted for their distinctive Christian beliefs

2. being tempted to assimilate into the dominant current culture