Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

132 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

justice and righteousness of the Kingdom wherever and whenever we can.

a. We are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth, Matt. 5.13-16.

b. We are to be in the world but not of it, John 17.14-19.

c. We are to do good to all people, especially those of the household of faith, Gal. 6.10.

d. We are to be ready to give an answer of the hope that indwells us, 1 Pet. 3.15.

e. We are called to declare the excellencies of him who called us from darkness into the light, 1 Pet. 2.8-9.

f. We are ambassadors of Christ, citizens of the heavenly Kingdom, called to represent its interests with faithfulness and honor, 2 Cor. 5.20; Phil. 3.20-21; 1 Cor. 4.1-2.

III. Embodying and Displaying the Story of the Christ: Embracing a Lived Theology of Christus Victor through the Church Year

[Gustaf Aulen’s interpretation of Irenaeus’ view of the Christ event in the world]. The Resurrection is for him first of all the manifestation of the decisive victory over the powers of evil, which was won on the cross; it is also the starting-point for the new dispensation, for the gift of the Spirit, for the continuation of the work of God in the souls of men [sic] “for the unity and communion of God and man.” “The passion of Christ brought us courage and power. The Lord through His passion ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, and gave power to them that believe in Him to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy – that is, the prince of the apostasy. The Lord through His passion destroyed death, brought error to an end, abolished corruption, banished ignorance, manifested life, declared truth, and bestowed incorruption.”

~ Gustaf Aulen. Christus Victor . Trans. A. G. Hebert. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2003, p. 32.