Should a Christian …………….?

[Carbon]

I have been asked a few questions throughout the years and am wondering how you all would react or answer them.

Here are a couple.


Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?
And,
Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

Then the best part of it is the question some ask when these topics come up: “Would Jesus attend?”

It seems to me, to ask if Jesus would attend, hasn’t been thought out.
I’d have to ask, would we act and react as Jesus would, also?
I think we would wear out our welcome quite fast and be asked to leave if we did.

I mean, would you attend one of theses places to proclaim the gospel?

 

[Deleted member 6]

No & No. We live in the world but are no longer of the world.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.[James 1:27]

 

[Carbon]

No & No. We live in the world but are no longer of the world.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.[James 1:27]

Personally I wouldn’t attend.

 

[Deleted member 5]

I have been asked a few questions throughout the years and am wondering how you all would react or answer them.

Here are a couple.


Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?

No, I would not attend. They want affirmation, and that is what it would say to them.

And,
Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

I don't have a problem going to places that serve alcohol. One time a pastor and I and some deacons went to Buffalo Wild Wings. Some of the church got vocal and said "They serve alcohol!" I told them that so does Applebees, the place they go after church.

Then the best part of it is the question some ask when these topics come up: “Would Jesus attend?”

It seems to me, to ask if Jesus would attend, hasn’t been thought out.
I’d have to ask, would we act and react as Jesus would, also?
I think we would wear out our welcome quite fast and be asked to leave if we did.

Andy Stanley would attend. That tells me that I don't believe Christ would.

I mean, would you attend one of theses places to proclaim the gospel?

To proclaim the Gospel? Now, that's a differing issue.

 

[atpollard]

Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?

I would not (and did not). It is hard to deliberately hurt someone that you care about, but to attend signifies an approval that I cannot give.

Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

It would depend on the reason one was attending.
Applebee's is a bar/tavern and I have sat at the Bar with my wife and daughter and enjoyed half-priced appetizers with my Dr. Pepper.

I don't drink ... at all. I am not OPPOSED to drinking (the Bible does not forbid it), but my wife had an alcoholic Father, so I 100% abstain as a way to honor her. One thing she need never fear. However, I like music and would have no problem taking my wife out to listen to a band. We are Christian, not Amish.

 

[Carbon]

It would depend on the reason one was attending.
Applebee's is a bar/tavern and I have sat at the Bar with my wife and daughter and enjoyed half-priced appetizers with my Dr. Pepper.

I don't drink ... at all. I am not OPPOSED to drinking (the Bible does not forbid it), but my wife had an alcoholic Father, so I 100% abstain as a way to honor her. One thing she need never fear.

I can understand that.

However, I like music and would have no problem taking my wife out to listen to a band. We are Christian, not Amish.

Amen!

I really meant a bar, nightclub as in the bar scene so to say. Not like an Applebees.

 

[David1701]

I have been asked a few questions throughout the years and am wondering how you all would react or answer them.

Here are a couple.


Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?
And,
Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

Then the best part of it is the question some ask when these topics come up: “Would Jesus attend?”

It seems to me, to ask if Jesus would attend, hasn’t been thought out.
I’d have to ask, would we act and react as Jesus would, also?
I think we would wear out our welcome quite fast and be asked to leave if we did.

I mean, would you attend one of theses places to proclaim the gospel?

If a Christian attended a homosexual "wedding", then surely it would be to try to stop them going through with it, by telling them what the Bible says about marriage (one man and one woman) and about homosexuality (an abomination in God's sight). You would need to be led by the Lord to do this...

When I was a very new Christian (I was 21 and had very recently been saved), I was persuaded to go along to a nightclub, with some Christian friends.

I hated every minute of it. The atmosphere was about as worldly as it's possible to get and the music was so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. I couldn't wait to get out and witnessing was out of the question.

 

[Carbon]

If a Christian attended a homosexual "wedding", then surely it would be to try to stop them going through with it, by telling them what the Bible says about marriage (one man and one woman) and about homosexuality (an abomination in God's sight). You would need to be led by the Lord to do this...

Amen to that! I agree 100%

When I was a very new Christian (I was 21 and had very recently been saved), I was persuaded to go along to a nightclub, with some Christian friends.

I hated every minute of it. The atmosphere was about as worldly as it's possible to get and the music was so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. I couldn't wait to get out and witnessing was out of the question.

This is exactly what I meant, as far as the type of environment.

Personally, in that setting I do not think anyone would want to hear the gospel.

 

[Deleted member 5]

If a Christian attended a homosexual "wedding", then surely it would be to try to stop them going through with it, by telling them what the Bible says about marriage (one man and one woman) and about homosexuality (an abomination in God's sight). You would need to be led by the Lord to do this...

Yes, I agree one would definitely have God's leadership in that situation.

When I was a very new Christian (I was 21 and had very recently been saved), I was persuaded to go along to a nightclub, with some Christian friends.

I hated every minute of it. The atmosphere was about as worldly as it's possible to get and the music was so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. I couldn't wait to get out and witnessing was out of the question.

Yes, that is misery. I've been in situations like that where the world is doing its thing, and you're the only one that is a believer (at least openly) and they can try and make you feel uncomfortable on top of the dark feelings.

 

[makesends]

The Bible teaches against excess. There are MANY believers that enjoy wine and beer, and I am one of them. But I don't enjoy excess. I have a long-time friend I pray (and am expecting, for several reasons) will be in Heaven when I go. He considers me his brother, but makes no bones about not being a believer. We drink together, and he knows where I stand. Alcohol may be a ditch to die in, but it isn't a hill to die on.

But now, the Homosexual mess! I am friends with two such couples —one 'married'— and they know where I stand. But I do consider them my friends, and both claim to be Christians. God will judge me too. But, yeah, it is an abomination, and no question about that!

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

I have been asked a few questions throughout the years and am wondering how you all would react or answer them.[/qoute]

Cool...I'll bite.

Here are a couple.

/cracks knuckles. /stretches /falls over

Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?

No such critter. Unless you are separating "wedding" from "marriage". Then you can call it a wedding, a fusion, a bacchanalia...anything you like and attend as your conscience takes you.

And,

Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

What do you mean by "attend"? We're told not to abuse alcohol. That doesn't mean avoid it entirely. Timothy was instructed to have a little for his stomach. Now if you *personally* are convicted that drinking is a sin then by all means hold off. Or if you are an alcoholic then you should probably avoid it. But to insist that others do so based on your conscience is legalism.

Then the best part of it is the question some ask when these topics come up: “Would Jesus attend?”

Sure he would.

It seems to me, to ask if Jesus would attend, hasn’t been thought out.
I’d have to ask, would we act and react as Jesus would, also?

Well of course we couldn't. We aren't Jesus. But we can ask how would Jesus expect us to act in said circumstance.

I think we would wear out our welcome quite fast and be asked to leave if we did.

I mean, would you attend one of theses places to proclaim the gospel?

Done it. Not conducive...way too loud. Depending on the crowd it can get pugilistic real fast. Strangely enough not because of the Gospel though. Just people being drunk people.

 

[David1701]

The Bible teaches against excess. There are MANY believers that enjoy wine and beer, and I am one of them. But I don't enjoy excess. I have a long-time friend I pray (and am expecting, for several reasons) will be in Heaven when I go. He considers me his brother, but makes no bones about not being a believer. We drink together, and he knows where I stand. Alcohol may be a ditch to die in, but it isn't a hill to die on.

But now, the Homosexual mess! I am friends with two such couples —one 'married'— and they know where I stand. But I do consider them my friends, and both claim to be Christians. God will judge me too. But, yeah, it is an abomination, and no question about that!

1 Cor. 5:9-13 (KJV)
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

If anyone is a practising sodomite, or lesbian, and a professing Christian, then we are commanded not to keep company with such people.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

If anyone is a practicing sodomite, or lesbian, and a professing Christian, then we are commanded not to keep company with such people.

This type of person is a Christian in profession alone.

 

[David1701]

This type of person is a Christian in profession alone.

Yes, exactly; and, they bring disgrace on the name of Christ.

 

[makesends]

1 Cor. 5:9-13 (KJV)
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

If anyone is a practising sodomite, or lesbian, and a professing Christian, then we are commanded not to keep company with such people.

Point taken, and a good reminder.

For whatever way it may be useful to mention, there is a definite distance between us. And these don't trot it out in public. I never suspected even lesbianism until one of them told me they "married", and that, for convenience sake, concerning an inheritance. I'm not likely, having been friends with them, to diminish our friendship as though I'm better than them.

Notice, for perspective, what other sins are likewise spoken of in the same way, in the often quoted condemnations of 1 Corinthians 6 and Revelation 21.

But there is another principle also at work: When I was a young man, and we had a family reunion, my father told a cousin she was not welcome there, with her live-in boyfriend. I told him that it seemed a bit hypocritical to condemn them in this way, when we all have our 'little private sins'. He said something like, "It is not a private sin when they bring it here like this. To accept them in this way would too easily be taken to dismiss or even to condone their sin." In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, I'm seeing this principle.

 

[David1701]

Point taken, and a good reminder.

For whatever way it may be useful to mention, there is a definite distance between us. And these don't trot it out in public. I never suspected even lesbianism until one of them told me they "married", and that, for convenience sake, concerning an inheritance. I'm not likely, having been friends with them, to diminish our friendship as though I'm better than them.

Notice, for perspective, what other sins are likewise spoken of in the same way, in the often quoted condemnations of 1 Corinthians 6 and Revelation 21.

But there is another principle also at work: When I was a young man, and we had a family reunion, my father told a cousin she was not welcome there, with her live-in boyfriend. I told him that it seemed a bit hypocritical to condemn them in this way, when we all have our 'little private sins'. He said something like, "It is not a private sin when they bring it here like this. To accept them in this way would too easily be taken to dismiss or even to condone their sin." In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, I'm seeing this principle.

Friendship with the world (and practising homosexuals are definitely the world) is enmity with God. It's nothing to do with thinking that you are better than them. It is to do with you, if you are born again, being in the Kingdom of God, and them being in the kingdom of darkness. Friendship, in this situation, is an unequal yoke (they pull in one direction and you in another). Witnessing to them and helping them is one thing, but friendship is quite another.

 

[makesends]

Friendship with the world (and practising homosexuals are definitely the world) is enmity with God. It's nothing to do with thinking that you are better than them. It is to do with you, if you are born again, being in the Kingdom of God, and them being in the kingdom of darkness. Friendship, in this situation, is an unequal yoke (they pull in one direction and you in another). Witnessing to them and helping them is one thing, but friendship is quite another.

I will bear it in mind, and I appreciate the reprimand.

But ask yourself, then, is that your take with all the others on the lists of those to avoid, and to stay away from, and who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven? Furthermore, ask yourself, do you yourself deserve the grace of God?

Not to say that the warning of falling into their direction isn't appropriate, and yes, I do keep it in mind, BUT. I do not reject these people. I reject their sin. And they know it very well, I think.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to disagree and separate yourself from what is abominable to you? That does not make you therefore Godly.
Concerning them, I do not do what I do lightly, and I keep watch. Do you do the same with those with whom you have entangled yourself? Or are you blind to their lies, their —whatever —read the lists for yourself. Are not some who consider themselves separate and dedicated to the kingdom of Heaven actually liars? Are they revilers, are they fearful, are they thieves, are they covetous, are they drunkards? Are they liars? God have mercy on us all. I don't know of anyone who is without deceptions.

But yes, Thank you for the reminder.

 

[David1701]

I will bear it in mind, and I appreciate the reprimand.

But ask yourself, then, is that your take with all the others on the lists of those to avoid, and to stay away from, and who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven? Furthermore, ask yourself, do you yourself deserve the grace of God?

Not to say that the warning of falling into their direction isn't appropriate, and yes, I do keep it in mind, BUT. I do not reject these people. I reject their sin. And they know it very well, I think.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to disagree and separate yourself from what is abominable to you? That does not make you therefore Godly.
Concerning them, I do not do what I do lightly, and I keep watch. Do you do the same with those with whom you have entangled yourself? Or are you blind to their lies, their —whatever —read the lists for yourself. Are not some who consider themselves separate and dedicated to the kingdom of Heaven actually liars? Are they revilers, are they fearful, are they thieves, are they covetous, are they drunkards? Are they liars? God have mercy on us all. I don't know of anyone who is without deceptions.

But yes, Thank you for the reminder.

I remember a professing Christian acquaintance who was well known to be an habitual liar. He had an otherwise pleasant personality, so many other Christians made light of his endless lies. I rebuked him openly for it.

I repeat: this is nothing to do with thinking that you are somehow better than others; it is about obeying what God says in his word. Leave the results to him.

 

[makesends]

I remember a professing Christian acquaintance who was well known to be an habitual liar. He had an otherwise pleasant personality, so many other Christians made light of his endless lies. I rebuked him openly for it.

I repeat: this is nothing to do with thinking that you are somehow better than others; it is about obeying what God says in his word. Leave the results to him.

Maybe I should be more blunt, like you. But when I say that someone's own judgement of another will be used to judge him, I judge myself with that. So..... oh, well. You get my point. In the end, I must answer to what I take to be the right thing to do, and trust in God's mercy.

But yes, you are right, what he says trumps everything else —even conscience.

 

[Blue Heron]

Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?
And,
Should a Christian attend a bar/tavern/nightclub?

These are questions about which Christians disagree, so I would apply Romans 14 here. If you believe these things to be a sin, then do not do them. If you believe that neither of these things is a sin, then live by your convictions. But act with care and humility towards your brother or sister who disagrees with you, and do not tempt them into an act that would be sin for them. For example, if you know that your Baptist brother believes alcohol to be a sin, do not offer him a beer.