Comments on: The Church in the World http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/ theology. church. culture. life. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Josh Kidwell http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2872 Josh Kidwell Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:58:51 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2872 The challenge that I've seen is that even those who regularly attend Sunday School or Church have a problem with relating to a community in that fashion. They have so many other things to do that resentment develops when the Church asks them to do thing that may seem unreasonable to them--things that require them to invest time and effort. Josh "...the word of God is not bound." --2 Timothy 2:9 The challenge that I’ve seen is that even those who regularly attend Sunday School or Church have a problem with relating to a community in that fashion. They have so many other things to do that resentment develops when the Church asks them to do thing that may seem unreasonable to them–things that require them to invest time and effort.

Josh
“…the word of God is not bound.”
–2 Timothy 2:9

]]> By: Joe Thorn http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2871 Joe Thorn Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:52:38 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2871 Exactly Perry. Real community is something the church has to offer as a component of the Kingdom and restored humanity. This is something the world, particularly in my suburban context, truly wants but often only experiences in small measure if at all. Exactly Perry. Real community is something the church has to offer as a component of the Kingdom and restored humanity. This is something the world, particularly in my suburban context, truly wants but often only experiences in small measure if at all.

]]> By: Perry McCall http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2870 Perry McCall Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:47:11 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2870 Joe, You said, "3. Western culture itself is now a fragmented community, encouraging retreat from the community as a whole among all sub-cultures including the church." I think this is a significant obstacle for the Church to overcome when we try to truly reach out. There will always be those who will put up legalistic barriers. However, we face a changed society where everyone is disconnected from people outside of their sud-group. It isn't just a Church problem. I think this provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the difference in being a follower of Christ. Joe,
You said, “3. Western culture itself is now a fragmented community, encouraging retreat from the community as a whole among all sub-cultures including the church.”

I think this is a significant obstacle for the Church to overcome when we try to truly reach out. There will always be those who will put up legalistic barriers. However, we face a changed society where everyone is disconnected from people outside of their sud-group. It isn’t just a Church problem. I think this provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the difference in being a follower of Christ.

]]> By: Joe Thorn http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2869 Joe Thorn Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:17:55 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2869 That's kind of my point Timmy. There isn't one answer. Of course THE line is sin, but other than that it looks different in each context. What we know is that Paul adapted his approach based on cultural contexts when it did not violate biblical principles. Those asking where the line is are often asking for law when God has given us principles. That’s kind of my point Timmy. There isn’t one answer. Of course THE line is sin, but other than that it looks different in each context. What we know is that Paul adapted his approach based on cultural contexts when it did not violate biblical principles. Those asking where the line is are often asking for law when God has given us principles.

]]> By: Timmy Brister http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2868 Timmy Brister Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:06:25 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2007/01/10/the-church-in-the-world/#comment-2868 Joe, Thanks for posting your thoughts brother. If I may, let me ask a question of practicality. The audience Paul was speaking to were "Corinthians," meaning they had indeed united with the world in its evil and sinful practices. Indeed it is not an easy or safe endeavor. Paul said that he did "all for the sake of the gospel" so that he might win the more. I take it to mean that everything he did was for the progress of the gospel, but that does mean that he did everything he could do. In our attempts to embrace the people God sends us with the love and message of Jesus Christ, where do we draw the line in delineating what is included in "becoming all things to all men?" I hope to continue the conversation with an upcoming post in the near future. Thanks for the conversation and wisdom you have shared. Joe,

Thanks for posting your thoughts brother. If I may, let me ask a question of practicality.

The audience Paul was speaking to were “Corinthians,” meaning they had indeed united with the world in its evil and sinful practices. Indeed it is not an easy or safe endeavor. Paul said that he did “all for the sake of the gospel” so that he might win the more. I take it to mean that everything he did was for the progress of the gospel, but that does mean that he did everything he could do. In our attempts to embrace the people God sends us with the love and message of Jesus Christ, where do we draw the line in delineating what is included in “becoming all things to all men?”

I hope to continue the conversation with an upcoming post in the near future. Thanks for the conversation and wisdom you have shared.

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