The teachings on the lusts and temptations of the world are easily exaggerated into a strategy of separation from the world, as in monasticism and asceticism. In some dire situations this strategy is appropriate, but in general escaping the world may ignore the Scriptural teachings that the world was created by God and is loved by God. It also could disobey Christ's commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Christians are called to separate from the fallen, sinful world cultures, but not to attempt to separate from mankind itself, which is unrealistic and not compassionate. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Christ called his disciples the light of the world. We should not hide our light under a bushel. Engagement means to resist evil, to oppose it, not try to escape it. Would we leave the world in darkness without hope?
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