Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries, Student Workbook, SW16

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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

2. Strength: recognizes the legitimacy of secular authority in the midst of the world, and the Church’s unique role as representing Christ and his Kingdom, 2 Cor. 5.20

3. Problem: can easily accept any action that the state takes as God’s will, Acts 5.28-29

D. The Church is a prophetic witness in and toward the world: the Church is to be both locus and agent of the Kingdom of God in the world.

1. Biblical argument: the Church as a representative of the Kingdom of God is in the world but does not in any way belong to it; it confronts the world with its kingdom righteousness and gospel proclamation.

a. John 17.14-17

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b. Ps. 121.7

c. Matt. 6.13

d. Gal. 1.4

e. 2 Thess. 3.3

f. 1 John 5.18