Would it not be better for Christians to withdraw from secular society. . .

But if I never saw another athiest or cultist again in my life, I would feel blessed.

That sounds alot like some white supremacist ideology. 

Originally posted by Susan
. . .and form a life of their own?

I personally am coming to the belief that living in this evil world of desire is something that God will punish us all for, and that we as Christians should withdraw from society and form societies of our own which are governed by the laws of God.

Maybe I'm wrong. But if I never saw another athiest or cultist again in my life, I would feel blessed.

 

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Umm. Yes you are wrong.

Even if you put all christians aside there will still be sin. We are all sinners.

Really now you can't go around abandoning atheists or sinners. You are to show God's love for them. You can't just tell atheists to 'go to hell' because they don't accept Jesus. If they choose not to, fine. You're not forcing them. Then again, you're not supposed to abandon them to hell because you don't like the way they think.

Come now Susan. You've shown your faith but you're not putting that to work. Either that or something is really troubling you. The susan i knew when i first came on did not want to think this way. She was a caring person who showed alot of kindness. Care to share?

I personally am coming to the belief that living in this evil world of desire is something that God will punish us all for, and that we as Christians should withdraw from society and form societies of our own which are governed by the laws of God.

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Well, I don't think God is going to punish us all for living in the "secular world".  This Idea reminds me of the Essenes (Authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls) who were a very religious sect who decided to live lives of seperation from the world.  They were slaughtered by the Romans...

Anyways, I believe, to remove ourselves from the world would be breaking Jesus' commandment to go into the world and proclaim His Gospel.  We have a responsibility when we hear the word, to preach that word to the world. 

We also would not be able to love our enemies (even though we don't like that verse). 

 

Maybe I'm wrong. But if I never saw another athiest or cultist again in my life, I would feel blessed.

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There are some so called "Christians" that I could do without seeing as well.   

 

No. We should never even consider living apart from society. Its one of our calls to be witnesses for Jesus. That witness is just as much (if not more so) by acts rather than preaching.

The reference above about the Essenes is so very on point. They did excatly what you are considering. If you don't know about them, it would be worth the research to learn.

Very good post by Leviathan.................

NO! Don't pull out of society! *gasp*

Like some of the others here have said, it's the place where our ministry is to take place. If we're going to pull out of any culture, I'd say pull out of the Christian "subculture". We need to get out of our "holy huddles", as it were, & get out there with the athiests & all those stinkin' heathens. lol

The subculture lately has really begun to wear me down. It's full of false teachers & lazy Christians who are only out for themselves. I miss how it was when I first became a Christian, it was a place where I could find instruction & "spiritual food", but now it seems only a means to make money off the name of Christ. *grumble, grumble* I'm not saying that all aspects of the subculture are horribly bad, I just don't think that we should fall for every book that's written, or every so-called spokesman that comes along preaching some new doctrine. The bible should be our main guide.

We should have a place in ALL cultures of this world, because that is our calling.

But, anyway, look at the people Jesus hung out with, they weren't exactly saints, now were they? lol We need to do what He did, get down in the mud w/ those people.

*sigh* Okay, I'm done rambling now.

>There are some so called "Christians" that I could do without seeing as well.   

Good point.

We must stay here and proclaim the gospel and convert those people.

Originally posted by thrive
If we're going to pull out of any culture, I'd say pull out of the Christian "subculture". We need to get out of our "holy huddles"....look at the people Jesus hung out with, they weren't exactly saints, now were they?

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well said, thrive.

as mandy says in a walk to remember "without suffering there would be no compassion". if we had a perfect life without the secular stuff nothing would be a challenge and we'd never grow. of course it would be awesome if there was no secular society life wouldnt be as screwed upo as it is. but the world is screwed up and it is secondary and we have to take whatever comes are way.

MATTHEW 9:10-13
"And it came to pass, as He sat at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the publicans and the sinners?" But when He heard it He said, "They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick do. But go and learn what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners"


We as Christians have a call to go out in THIS SINFUL WORD and reach the lost (sick). God is with us and will sustain us through this time.



Your Brother In Christ
Ken

Originally posted by Susan
. . .and form a life of their own?

I personally am coming to the belief that living in this evil world of desire is something that God will punish us all for, and that we as Christians should withdraw from society and form societies of our own which are governed by the laws of God.

Maybe I'm wrong. But if I never saw another athiest or cultist again in my life, I would feel blessed.

 

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I can understand why you would be feeling this way.  Living with the constant nagging evils of the world can be quiet difficult to deal with. 

Nevertheless, everyone here is right. We cannot selfishly hord the Good News, and that is what we would be doing if we withdrew from society. Even when people seemingly regect what it is we have to say, the Lord may use those words slowly to break apart the wall around their heart. 

Through the struggles of the mind, doubts, and temptation rejoice!  For God is pruning you to produce much fruit, and to be all that you are meant to be.  Don't lose hope.  We as believers are all going through the same thing.  So stand tall.

Autumn

 

It would certainly be easier if we could all build a wall and live together praising and worshipping without outside dissenters getting us down. That is what our reward will be: HEAVEN!

Our mission while in this ugly world is to live in it. However, we are to be separated IN the world. Not doing what the secular world does, but being a light in the darkess around us. When the world gets you down, retreat to a quiet place and pray and re-charge with the Lord. That is what Christ Himself did.

But oh, what a wonderful time it will be in heaven, living in peace and worship face-to-face with our Lord!!!

susan,
Your avatar says it well, just as the answer that Jesus gave in Matt 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.

if a christian didn't approach my mother, i wouldn't have been born into a part christian family, and i wouldn't have known God..... and as a result, i wouldn't be here now.

God bless.

Think of it this way Susan. If we as Christians cut ourselves off completely from those who aren't. Then who would be left to share Gods Word with those who needed it?