Infiltration or Separation?
In and not of, or come out from among?
Salt, preserving and light illuminating?
Evangelicalism is steeped in mission work. This is the test of a 'true fellowship'. Somewhere on the other end of the spectrum is the Brethren position which teeters between being separate and reaching out to those in need.
Without a doubt, the dying world and the worldly church needs the influence of true Christians, but where does one say enough is enough: "Lest I get my garments soiled, I must stay myself from these swine. "
I suppose many illustrations could be made concerning circumstantial situations that either reaching out or not reaching out would seem to be the laissez faire. That reasoning in and of itself is wavering and postmodern. So which is it?
- Infiltration for the sake of reformation and change, or
- Separation to maintain purity and control.
Infiltration and the resultant conversion of the out-and-out worldly non-Christian-upbrought person adds all kinds of mixed up viewpoints and perspectives to the church. However, the introspection and self-concern of the Separatist and his offspring upbring ends in excessive control and thought domination. Legalism follows quickly and chokes any fresh thinking that may sprout.
How can we meld these two seemingly opposing views into a pragmatic, faith-building, community-preserving, group of believers? Believers that are filled and motivated by His Spirit to keep themselves unspotted from the world and and the same time be His hands to help the adulterous woman go and sin no more.
posted by Looking Upward @ 10/23/2006 09:08:00 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Sir,
Marvellous to hear from you again. I hope Princess is doing well.
This is an important question. Seems to me that the Great Commission should serve as the starting point. One gets the impression that when Jesus sent out his apostles, he was waging a wholly offensive campaign. The apostles' mission was clearly to bring the nations into submission to Christ's will.
It's understandable that the Doctrinal Treatise specifically denies the application of the Commission to the present age. It's very difficult to square with a separatist mindset.
On the other hand, the scriptures are very clear that the church must maintain her purity. This is one aspect of Brethren life that has always impressed me as an outsider.
Like you've said, there's a necessesary balance. We must aggressively pursue the nations to bring them into the church while at the same time taking diligent watch that we let permit no unclean thing to remain among her ranks. When sin enters, as it inevitably does, we must either wash it with the word or purge it from our midst.
Again, very glad to see you online.
Mr. Peppo,
Princess has been growing into a fine young cat. Thank you for your interest. I will inform her of your concern.
Thanks for your feedback. It is highly appreciated. There are parallels between what has been on my mind and your last three posts. I especially like the thought of boldly taking the gospel, unflaggingly preaching the gospel with the realization that the power is in the sovereignty and authority of Jesus Christ.
For the record, I am a proponent of outreach and taking the gospel into all the world. However, by virtue of my upbringing, I can sympathize with the concern about being acculturated and watered into the world. Personally, I believe the God, in his keeping power, is bigger than that problem. However, it happens to some and that only feeds the fire of separation and withdrawal.
God Bless your day!
Glad to see you are posting once again. I would comment here, but I spent my effort last night sending you an email on this very topic and it is much to long to use as a comment here so I hope you received it.
I would only echo what Brad said that the Great Commission commands us to go out into the world, while Rms 12:2 commands us not to be conformed to it. There is no reason why we can't obey both commands.
The problem is that most "christians" try to carry out the great commission while living a worldly lifestyle - which creates confusion in the mind of the lost. If we are not any different then the world then they don't see their need to change.
Matt
Matt:
I did get your email and am still digesting it.
You are right on with your concise comments and Scripture references. I love those two taken together.
Brother,
The mission of Christ clearly cries for the balance: "be in the world but not of it."
The Brethren (at two ends of the spectrum) have developed, an aversion to this directive. On the one hand, we have brought the world into the church under the guise that we will change the mind of the world -- but this has resulted in worldy-minded churches, some of which are dead in their trespasses and sins.
On the other extreme, some have preferred to be comparatively isolated from the world, also causing deadness because the spiritual muscles given to carry out a spiritual mission are not being exercised.
Both of those extremes are based in pragmatism. Because "God's ways are not man's ways", we should exercise caution when we appeal to a pragmatic solution. One must admit that God's method of eternal salvation does not appear to be pragmatic in the least, becuase it is "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."
Isn't the balance simply to preach toward the edification and building up of one another, equipping the saints in the church so that those in the church will preach the gospel wherever they find themselves in the world?
We'd all love to hear more from you!
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