The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum To Associate or Not:(Split off Feminism thread)

doulos,

So, if I understand what you are saying, you would advocate being "chummy" with, have close associations with, fraternize with, every non-professing Christian around you, even if they are gross idolaters, drug dealers, prostitutes, child molesters, etc.... do you see the problem here?

The texts say we are to "admonish" those in the church as a brother; i.e., to speak to such a one with a genuine concern for their soul. YET..... Paul also says that of such we are to "turn away from them" and to "have no company with them". What do you think that means? Also, I would appreciate it if you would address my previous question concerning excommunication. More specifically, how are believers to treat those who have been excommunicated from their assembly? Do you continue to play golf with the person, continue your Friday night family barbecue gatherings with them, etc.? And since those who are excommunicated are to be seen as non-believers, again, aren't the injunctions in regard to their treatment assuming that the reader is familiar with how an unchurched, unbeliever is looked upon and treated in distinction from those who are faithful members of their congregation?

What I would like you to consider a little deeper is the seriousness of Paul's regulations for the treatment of those individuals he is warning about and how this relates to those who are outside the church.

In His grace,