Would appreciate some advice thanks.. This gal I am going to be dating attends a seeker based church. I did not see any feminist, liberal, or Word of Faith influences so that is good. However I did see a bit of influence from the purpose driven, and psychology movements. Would it be a good idea to date her? I dont see anything wrong with it, but I wish to try and persuade her in time. If she was at a church with liberal theology, WOF, or the feminist gospel I would not date her. A old girl-friend of mine had a church of God 7th day background and some of them in that problematic church teach another gospel. The rest are seriously wrong in their beliefs.
I ask because it is evident that this type of ministry is important to you and if she cannot come to enthusiastically support it having been in a seeker sensitive ministry (which is the opposite of The Way of the Master)- then there is probably little hope in the relationship succeeding.
I've got to agree with OldTimer.
If you're here looking for advice then you already know in your heart the answer.
You will not be happy with someone who does not agree with your beliefs 110%.
Why waste the time, effort, and money to date someone who you already know is on the opposite side of the fence....unless YOU are willing to change your church and your beliefs, don't do it.
Maybe I am just an old fuddy-duddy, but where in the heck did kids go for advice before the internet?? Has the world changed so much that people cannot go and talk to other real in-the-flesh people (family members, extended family, pastor, school friend, co-worker, etc.) for advice? They don't even need to be Christians- some of the best learning and advice that has shaped my life has come from people that most likely were not believers- after all they are "wiser in (the ways of) this world than the children of light." That does not mean we don't filter what they say through the Word of God, but it also does not mean we can ignore them either.
That is not to say that there are not some sharp individuals on the BB, nor that I personally have never come on here asking for advice, but I think most of us are better served talking to someone who knows us personally rather than to a bunch of internet strangers.
If I am wrong, at least that will only be for the third time in my life - :laugh:
I'm going to say you should give this girl a break and try extremely hard not to make litmus-test judgements before you get to know her, especially about which famous ministries she likes or doesn't like.
-Is she committed to knowing Christ and his word, and serving people, and building her life on the Gospel?
If so, give her a chance, cuz that in itself is rare.
-Does she have an evident joy in her walk with God?
Given that there are so many people on this board who have had trouble finding a good church...she likely chose the church she did because she wanted to go to a church that seemed to teach the bible and work to reach people and build up believers...whether they have a drum-set or a video ministry, or coffee in the narthex shouldn't really matter.
Look at the biblical desciptions of a godly woman from Prov. 31, Ephesians, and others, and if she fits these, but still doesn't really care for David Jeremiah, Way of the Master, or John MacArthur...I'd say you've still found a winner!
(you may want to have a conversation or two about your views of Election, however... I know a Calvinist who married a Nazarene...and they have a great, loving marraige that they use to minister to lots of people...but they had to talk though those issues soon after their wedding when it came to light...they have agreed to disagree...neither changed their minds, but they still get along...imagine that!)
I concur. I need real tact for this one, real tact…..
I was gonna buy her a book, but most people do not read books these days outside of self-help. Instead of a book, I am gonna burn her a CD of some podcasts. Not gonna overwhelm her so I picked two of my all time favs and they are SLAVE of Christ. These should open her up (spirit willing) to a better understanding of the scripture, and life is not about her dream job, and getting her desires met, but about her being a SLAVE OF CHRIST.
She is not an intellectual so she does not know what Lordship means or anything about the debate, so no assumptions as 99.999% of Christians do not know about the Lordship debate. I do not agree 100% with John MacArthur, but agree with the content of his most excellent book SLAVE OF CHRIST.
Again I need real TACT, real TACT on this one and LOTS OF PRAYER! Dont want to instantly turn her off by preaching against Osteen & Meyer, but in time show her the error of those types and their hedonistic doctrines. This would have been the approach of my all time favorite pastor (whom is deceased). He was big on discipleship and he never would openly preach against Osteen or Warren or whoever. He would in time build a friendship and show the scriptures and in time let the person come to his conclusions on the doctrines of Osteen Warren.
Why do you say "You are going to date her"?
Have you met her?
Do you know her?
Have you gone out already or are you planning to ask her out?
How do you know that you will be having a relationship in the future?
I don't understand the idea of "going to date her".