by Watchman Nee (CLC)
Preface
The greater part of this book derives from a series of addresses on the subject
of "the world" given by Mr. Watchman Nee (Nee To-sheng) of Foochow to Christian
believers in Shanghai city in the early period of the Sino-Japanese War. They
are thus colored a little by the economic pressures of those days. To them have
been added other talks on the same general theme given at various places and
times during the period 1938-41. For example, Chapter Three is based on a sermon
preached at a baptismal service in May 8 1939. I am indebted to several friends
for the notes which have supplied the book's source material.
The author sees the kosmos as a spiritual entity behind the things seen, a force
always to be reckoned with. He deals with its impact upon the Christian and his
impact upon it, with the conflicting claims upon him of separation and
involvement, and with the destiny of the man in Christ to "have dominion." As
always, Mr. Nee's studies display original thinking and he is not afraid to be
provocative, stirring both heart and mind to a response. It is my prayer that,
despite the inevitably piecemeal construction of the book, its theme will prove
to have coherence as a picture of the man of God in the world, and further, that
it may challenge us all who name the name of Christ to move more courageously
and positively through this earthly scene, with thought always for our role here
in God's eternal purpose concerning his beloved Son.
Angus I. Kinnear, London, 1968