European Journal of Science and Theology, February 2013, Vol.9, Supplement 1, 29-37 _______________________________________________________________________ CHRISTIAN EXISTENCE BETWEEN GOD’S CALLING AND WORLD’S LUSTS ACCORDING TO THE FIRST EPISTLE OF SAINT PETER Daniel Mihoc * ‘Lucian Blaga’ University, no.10, Victoriei BLVD, 55002, Sibiu, Romania (Received 16 November 2012, revised 10 January 2013) Abstract The aim of this paper is to give an overview of how Saint Peter interprets theologically the situation that his addressees are going through. Fresh converts, these find themselves in an irreducible conflict with the pagan world to which they formerly belonged. This conflict is mainly the result of a clash of values and of a mutual estrangement, as Christians move into the sphere of power of God, and pagans, of Satan. The epistle points out that the cornerstone of the conflict lies with lust ( ἐπιθυμţα): for pagans normality means living according to their desires, whereas for Christians lust and a godly life are mutually exclusive. Keywords: suffering, lust, desire, happiness, salvation 1. The conflictual situation and the role of lusts The addressees of 1 Peter are mainly former pagans (I Peter 1.3, 18-19, 22-23; 2.2; 4.4) converted to Christianity. They are facing persecution, and this is posing a challenge to their faith. The abandonment of the former way of life for the Christian one, created the premises of an irreducible conflict with the society in which they live. Some of its defining features are no longer theirs, and this places them at odds with their fellow citizens, who cannot understand and accept the radical change in their lives, and therefore submit them to all kinds of tribulations, ranging from small taunts to physical abuse. Christians are “defamed as evildoers” (καταλαλεῖςθε, 3.16), reproached (εἰὀνειδţζεςθε, 4.14), abused (ȜȠȚįȠȡȓα, γέ9), accused of various penal crimes (4.15) and even beaten (țȠȜαijȚȗȩȝİȞȠȚ, βέ20). The gravity of the situation is amplified by the fact that most of those Christians have not yet reached the spiritual maturity that would enable them to react adequately to the hostility of their surrounding milieu. Therefore they are grieved (ȜȣπȘșȑȞIJİȢ, 1έζ), suffering (βέ1ι) and scared (γέζ, 14; 5.7). * E-mail: dmihoc@gmail.com