Socializing with pagans

Christian ethics and theology with an Anabaptist perspective
MaxPC
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by MaxPC »

Personally, since I have dealt with non believers on a daily basis without it changing my own walk, I would go. BUT I would also take some Christian singers with me. Music invites others to the Gospel with a spoonful of honey in such recreational settings. (Is the Oasis Chorale available?). Definitely go with one or two from your fellowship: 3-fold cord principle. Safety in numbers.

If the behaviors turn to unacceptable norms for you and your party, I would also have no problem excusing ourselves and leaving.

If you are susceptible to pagan rationalizations, I'd stay home.
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Sudsy
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by Sudsy »

KingdomBuilder wrote:I realize that Jesus did associate (perhaps closely) with such folks. However, I also realize that we still possess a humanness that Jesus did not have.
I cannot do all that Christ did in fullness (see "walking on water" for more details).
I'm not saying I cannot socialize with pagans- I do all the time- but I am saying that I'm aware of the dangers such exposure may pose to my faith. I have to be deliberate and conscious to strive for a Spirit-given holiness in conduct, company, appearance, and thought.

We're called to be strangers, separate, and holy. For me, this would imply not partaking in the revelry or entertaining of this wicked generation.
What about this verse - "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin." Seems to me this says Jesus did possess a humanness like ours. He also was fully God and could perform miracles.

I agree with the those who don't run and hide from evil but avoid participating in the evil we live in this world. Jesus main mission here was to seek and to save those who are lost. To follow Him is to do likewise, right ? And that is the job He has given us - to make disciples to follow Him.

And on the supernatural side Jesus said - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Seems to me this says we too possess the gifts to do even 'greater things' than what Jesus did. Some say this means leading people to Him as those 'greater things' speak more of how we are involved in expanding His Kingdom. So, it would seem that His main mission was in bringing the Kingdom way of life to earth and now we are sent to continue expanding His Kingdom.

I agree that holiness is important and believe it is a natural fruit of a growing, close relationship with God where we don't participate in sinful activities. But I think some have focused on separation as more of an isolation and are more concerned with their own sanctification than they are the souls Jesus came to save. We can hide in our little closed holy clubs while the world outside our communities are going to a Christless grave and as some believe, an eternity of endless torment.

If one of two main commandments is to love our neighbours as ourselves then what kind of love is it that does not strive to implore the unsaved to turn to Christ ? If our local churches are not reaching the unchurched and seeing a flow of new converts, then my guess is that we are living in wilful disobedience.

When Christianity is about us and how we appear to be Christ like and yet we are not alike Christ in His main purpose of rescuing the perishing, then I think we have missed what the Gospel is about.

We need both and just as it is concerning to some that evangelicals focus on saving souls and too often not their own sanctification, we Anabaptists also raise questions if we are focused on sanctification and have little focus on saving souls. For myself, I want to be part of a group that is reaching some of these lost souls rather than finding a group that is primarily navel focused.

Well, back to my gardening, it's getting dark outside.
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by KingdomBuilder »

He was not of our nature in the sense many claim. He was the second Adam- I believe he possessed the humanness we all had before the fall. He was fully human in the form of the original, untainted humanity.
We becomes partakers of the transformation into his likeness, but it's clear that we are not fully transformed yet. It's ongoing.
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Josh
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by Josh »

If Christian people never socialised with pagans / heathens / unsaved people, or around people who use coarse language, there is no way I would be a believer now.

Perhaps we should step this up a bit:

Should a Christian socialise with someone who believes in a false gospel, such as someone who does not practice nonresistance, or someone who is Catholic?

See how ridiculous this can get?
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by KingdomBuilder »

I just have a line between socializing with pagans and getting too close with their ways.
I carpool with a pagan 3 times a week, and I eat with pagans on lunch break every day. They invited me to one of their birthday parties this past week, and I kindly declined (I assumed they'd be drinking). No hard feelings, and my conscience remains clear.
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Josh
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by Josh »

KingdomBuilder wrote:I just have a line between socializing with pagans and getting too close with their ways.
I carpool with a pagan 3 times a week, and I eat with pagans on lunch break every day. They invited me to one of their birthday parties this past week, and I kindly declined (I assumed they'd be drinking). No hard feelings, and my conscience remains clear.
I, too, declined once to go to a birthday party / anniversary celebration, partly due to the amount of drinking that could be involved. Of course, most the people there were Catholic, so I'm not sure if they are "pagan" or not.
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JimFoxvog
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by JimFoxvog »

Josh wrote:
KingdomBuilder wrote:I just have a line between socializing with pagans and getting too close with their ways.
I carpool with a pagan 3 times a week, and I eat with pagans on lunch break every day. They invited me to one of their birthday parties this past week, and I kindly declined (I assumed they'd be drinking). No hard feelings, and my conscience remains clear.
I, too, declined once to go to a birthday party / anniversary celebration, partly due to the amount of drinking that could be involved. Of course, most the people there were Catholic, so I'm not sure if they are "pagan" or not.
But didn't Jesus hang out with people who were drinking so much that some called him a drunkard? How is following our God's example an appearance of ungodliness?
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KingdomBuilder
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by KingdomBuilder »

Jim, Sudsy asked the same thing and I believe I responded to that above.
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silentreader
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by silentreader »

JimFoxvog wrote:
Josh wrote:
KingdomBuilder wrote:I just have a line between socializing with pagans and getting too close with their ways.
I carpool with a pagan 3 times a week, and I eat with pagans on lunch break every day. They invited me to one of their birthday parties this past week, and I kindly declined (I assumed they'd be drinking). No hard feelings, and my conscience remains clear.
I, too, declined once to go to a birthday party / anniversary celebration, partly due to the amount of drinking that could be involved. Of course, most the people there were Catholic, so I'm not sure if they are "pagan" or not.
But didn't Jesus hang out with people who were drinking so much that some called him a drunkard? How is following our God's example an appearance of ungodliness?
But let's not forget in all this:
Hebrews 4:15English Standard Version (ESV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
In any of these scenarios, there is still a profound difference between Him and us.
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JimFoxvog
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Re: Socializing with pagans

Post by JimFoxvog »

silentreader wrote:
In any of these scenarios, there is still a profound difference between Him and us.
Very much so. But we are still called to follow his example, aren't we? We will fail many times, but we can be forgiven!
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