Unbelievers: Church or not?

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AslanII

Guest
#1
#1
Hello everyone :D

I am married, my husband is an atheist. Things work out very well for us as the kind of lifestyle that we like are the same, and we respect the fact that we believe differently. I don't like going to Church alone, and my husband has no problem going with me. One Sunday our pastor preached on a difficult subject, and when we left, my husband told me that what the pastor preached on was one of the reasons he turned his back on Christianity. It was something that was even difficult for me as a Christian.

Afterwards, one of the pastor's wife and I had a good chat. I always thought that Church was where unbelievers can go to get saved. But she reasoned that church is actually for believers, as unbelievers may be offended by the message (the same as what happened in our case). Believers are supposed to live the life outside of church, get people saved and then bring them to church. It kind of makes sense to me.

The problem is, he is at least ok with going with me to church. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. How will he believe if he never hears? He is not going to listen to me as I am too close to him and at this stage I am focussing on living the Christian life before him.

So, in your opinion, should unbelievers go to church or not?
 
A

Animus

Guest
#2
#2
I think it could be good in the sense that it might get a conversation going. For example, the thing he found difficult at church could have been talked about on the way home, had you been at ease with it. However, I think it would be much better to get him to read Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis, because it can be read by the non believer as it starts out without the assumption that God exists. If he is hesitant to read it, then I would recommend that you read it first. I know this advice is probably more specific than you were looking for. I'm curious, what was the topic you found difficult?
 
damombomb

damombomb

Senior Member
#3
Feb 27, 2011
3,801
68
48
#3
Luke 5:32

…31And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

But it is our job to invite them so they can hear the word and become converted. Then they invite and so on.
We are the body of Christ working for his kingdom. If the pastor is condemning p, people to hell, mabe look for
another church, JMO
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#4
Sep 4, 2013
30,930
7,011
113
#4
damombomb said:
Luke 5:32

…31And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

But it is our job to invite them so they can hear the word and become converted. Then they invite and so on.
We are the body of Christ working for his kingdom. If the pastor is condemning p, people to hell, mabe look for
another church, JMO
Click to expand...
Before we "invite" them.............should we not have "witnessed" to them of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Just wondering here.

Does a Pastor condemn people to hell IF HE simply preaches the Word of God? Again, just wondering here.

John 3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 .) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 .) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 .) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 .) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 .) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 .) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21 .) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

This is what Jesus preached..........if a Pastor preaches this, is he NOT preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And, if he is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how is that wrong?

Now, I suppose this preaching could cause an unbeliever some discomfort, but UNLESS the Holy Spirit brings them under CONVICTION, makes them AWARE of their sinful life, how will they EVER be led to repentance?

If sinners (or believers for that matter) don't want to feel "disturbed" by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, goodness knows there are a plethora of "feel good" preachers out there they can choose to go to..........Prosperity preaching/motivational speaking may make the listener "feel comfortable," but are they not having anything MORE than their "ears tickled?"

:)
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#5
#5
Yes, church is supposed to be a time for believers to come together for teaching, fellowship and encouragement. To escape the pressures of the world and to be supported. We are to be taught how to go out into the world, preach and bring others to God. Modern church concepts are backwards in that they teach you how to get people to church, thereby bringing more of the world into the church, keeping the messages watered down and shallow and not giving people the break and fellowship they need.
 
S

seed_time_harvest

Senior Member
#6
Dec 9, 2011
14,324
1,861
113
#6
He may not be an athiest the way some athiest see themselves.

I have heard some athiest say that they have gotten so insensitive to the word that they don't let anything they hear change their thinking.
The bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD.
 
P

paulsfam4

Guest
#7
#7
You are the best example for him! you can lead him to Christ, keep on praying and try reading the bible with him..
 
A

AslanII

Guest
#8
#8
Animus said:
I think it could be good in the sense that it might get a conversation going. For example, the thing he found difficult at church could have been talked about on the way home, had you been at ease with it. However, I think it would be much better to get him to read Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis, because it can be read by the non believer as it starts out without the assumption that God exists. If he is hesitant to read it, then I would recommend that you read it first. I know this advice is probably more specific than you were looking for. I'm curious, what was the topic you found difficult?
Click to expand...
Hi Animus :) He won't read it. He got upset just by watching a small part of the "God's not dead" movie with me, although he said he will go and watch it with me. The guy preached on the sovereignity of God. A tricky subject even for me, and something I am studying up about now.
 
A

AslanII

Guest
#9
#9
paulsfam4 said:
You are the best example for him! you can lead him to Christ, keep on praying and try reading the bible with him..
Click to expand...
Hey there. Yup I will keep on praying for him, he will not read the Bible with me though...he is an atheist. They don't do that.
 
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