Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!wuarchive!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!christian From: joseph@cs.albany.edu (Jody Richardson) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Should Christians date Non-Christians Message-ID: Date: 16 Jan 91 09:06:15 GMT Sender: hedrick@aramis.rutgers.edu Lines: 37 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu So far the discussion has basically followed the format of previous discussions on this topic that I have participated in. That is, detractors of dating non-Christians cite examples of failed relationships (either pre or post-marriage failures) AND scripture. Advocates cite examples of successful relationships. Get the point? In case you don't... God is the ultimate transmogrifyer. He can change anything for good. In this case, relationships that begin with incompatible world views. I have no doubt that occassionally Christian/non-Christian combinations are successful (in the sense that the non-Christian spouse becomes a Christian or more liberally, that there is no divorce). But you should be very, very, VERY careful. My impression is that there are MANY more Christians who drift away from the Lord because of these relationships than there are non-Christians who become saved. Of all the mixed relationship examples that I've heard, Tim Roeder's personal example (from an earlier posting) is, IMO, the closest to the appropriate way to approach a potentially permanent relationship with a non-Christian (or another Christian for that matter). Mainly in the way that he prayed so much beforehand. Many (most) of the examples I hear do not include this. Mostly it's just two people "in love" and the Christian is not truly willing to consider God's point of view because they just want the other person SO MUCH. So praying about it or considering the counsel of other Christians is all but forgotten. Bottom line,... It's just too dangerous. Paul knew what he was talking about. So, unless you think you're a prophet extrodinaire like Hosea, don't even think about parking there. Jody Richardson | "If you don't get a goodnight kiss, you joseph@cs.albany.edu | get Kafka dreams." -- Hobbes