The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Arrowsmith Mottos

In his Armilla Catechetica: a Chain of Principles John Arrowsmith (1602-1659) wrote

Wherefore bethink thyself at length, O deluded world, and write

  • over all thy school doors, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom;
  • over all thy court gates, Let not the mighty man glory in his might;
  • over all thy exchanges and banks, Let not the rich man glory in his riches.
  • Write upon thy looking-glasses that of Bathsheba, favour is deceitful and beauty is vain;
  • upon thy mews and artillery-yards that of the Psalmist, God delighteth not in the strength of a horse, he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man;
  • upon thy taverns, inns, and ale-houses, that of Solomon, wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not Wise;
  • upon thy magazines and wardrobes, that of our Saviour, lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
  • Write upon thy counting houses that of Habakkuk, wo to him that increaseth that which is not his, how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay.
  • Thy play-houses that of Paul, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God
  • Thy banqueting houses, that of the same holy apostle, Meats for the belly and the belly for meat, but God will destroy them both and it
  • Yea upon all thine Accommodations that of the Preacher, All is Vanity and Vexation of spirit.

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