Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Mentor's Guide, MG16

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D O I N G J U S T I C E A N D L O V I N G M E R C Y : C O M P A S S I O N M I N I S T R I E S

III. The Church in the World: Different Ways of Understanding our Discipleship on the Journey

A. The Church is to withdraw from the world and its affairs : the Church in opposition to the world

1. Biblical argument: the world is evil and contact with it should be avoided at all costs.

a. 1 John 2.15-17

b. 2 Cor. 6.14-18

2. Strength: takes seriously the ability of the world to wrongly influence the Church, and believes that moral evil can rub off on the Church

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a. 1 Cor. 15.33

b. 1 Cor. 5.6

3. Problem: can ignore the Church’s responsibility to be salt and light in the midst of an evil generation, Phil. 2.14-16

B. The Church is to transform the world : the Church is to rule over the world and its affairs.

1. Biblical argument: Christ has won the victory over the world, and the Church has gained the victory in him.