If a Girl Believes in God But doesnt go to church does she still count as a Christian?

Question

The Reason i ask is because i learned from my Minister (i am a christian) that a Christian should Only ever be involved in a relationship with an other Christian.

The reason being that If a Christian goes with a non Christian they always split up. But 2 Christians will always be together or "What God Brings together the Devil can't seperate" as said in the bible.

My Girlfriend Believes in God but has stopped going to Church for nearly a year now and i wonder if not being involved in church will change things between us or her. Its also said that only a Christian goes to heaven and the rest go down under (not Oz the other down under) so what happens if you believe but dont go to church?? Can anybody help

This is for Christians. I normally leave my questions freely for everyone to answer but all i get from the non believers when i speak about God are nasty selfish comments That don't even make sense.

Answer 1

This idea assumes that going to church somehow makes one a christian.

It does not. Some very hateful people go to church a lot.

Some very Christ like people would not ever set foot in a church because they are uncomfortable around these hateful people.

You know a christian by their actions, not by how often they attend church.

I don't think you should pay much attention to your ministers ideas about dating.

40 years ago next week I met a girl who for all intents and purposes could best be described as an agnostic.

We are spending the day today taking turns babysitting for one of our grandchildren.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

1. The name God, is not exclusively Christian. Other religions may use a different name, but the three main religions which believe in one God are Judaism, Christianity and Islam so obviously you can believe in God without being a Christian.
2. Your Minister sounds very un-Christian. Jesus taught us to love everyone.
3. He hasn't been paying too much attention to statistics recently if he says that 2 Christians will always be together.
4. I stopped going to Church because I found remarks such as those above did not reflect the true meaning of Christianity.
5. Whether I go to Hell or Heaven is not important. I try to live my life in a morally, ethically and non-discriminatory manner. Let God be my judge and not the Church.

Answer 3

If you read the New Testament, you will clearly see that Paul says over and over again that it is of vital importance to go to church. Not going to church doesn't make you a "non-believer", but it seriously damages your ability to discern, you have no "prayer covering" from a church etc. Think of a pile of burning coals. Together they can keep each other burning for a long long time. But just take one of them away and put it on its own - it will quickly lose its heat. That's exactly the way we are. We need each other to keep on believing.

You know, the Bible never says you are "once saved, always saved" - if you read the Bible in the original text you will see that it is written in a continuous tense - "...whoever goes on believing shall go on having eternal life..." (Jhn 3:16) and so forth.

There are lots of other reasons why believers should not marry a non-believer. Not necessarily because they won't split up. I'm sorry but you have the quote wrong from the Bible. Ministers usually say at a wedding "What God brings together let no man seperate".

Thing is, if God is first in your life, then your husband/wife is safe because you won't divorce him/her because it is against God's will, and no one can replace God. If your husband/wife however, is first in your life, then any other person can replace him/her.

I really hope this helps you, please feel free to e-mail me if you have further questions. A great minister in the UK is David Pawson - try to get hold of some of his teachings, it will clear up a lot of things for you.

Good luck and keep the faith!!

Answer 4

she will still go to heaven, and not going to church will make no difference, the rules, or the threats about not going are man made, because they want to control people so what better way than this rubbish, If you want to believe everything you read in the bible, then you have to do a couple of things first,. First read a copy of the bible in the original text, because that way you can read in a way that has not had man translating it, For example the Hebrew text has no mention of a Virgin Mary, it was written as Young woman, and only became Virgin Mary because they could not translate the words at the time, that should give you an idea of what I'm talking about, the truth is in the bible, but you really have to look for it.
So for get about going to church, just keep your faith in God, and not man, but keep your faith in each other and you will get on, make up your own minds, and don't listen to other people.

Answer 5

Others have mentioned some very good things. This is how I organized things before reading their answers. I hope it helps solidify your ideas:
First things first: If your girlfriend has at any time trusted Chrsit for her salvation, she is a Christian, PERIOD over and out.
Secondly, your pastor is quoting the Word when he says that Christians are not to marry non Christians--the principle of the unevenly yoked oxen.
Thirdly: If you and your girfriend practice first Jonh 1.9, confessing your sins directly to God every time you know you have sinned, you are both doing it the right way.
Fourthly: Yes, a fourth: If your Girlfriend is open to hearing new things from the bible, she is still humble before God and wanting to learn His word. If you stay together, you may become her teacher, both by example and in word.
So, my conclusion: I would stay with her, and one day if both of you come the the realization that God has put the both of you together, then you can look at marriage. What God joins together no person can put asunder. Of course the two of you can foul it up, but no one else can.
If you will love her as Christ loves the Church, and will die for her, then she may be your right woman. It again matters not if she attends church regularly or not at this point.
In case it matters I am Anglican (Church of England).
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"
P.S. All the best to both of you and...
A Wicked Happy Christmas to your and your girl, and everyone else who celebrates!
Peace and prosperity to all!

Answer 6

Hello Motor Mouth,

A christian is always a christian where ever they end up. Marriage between Christians can divide. Your minister may mean that their marriage is once and for all and divorce is not allowed (unless one partner commits adultery) Your girlfriend may be unhappy at that church. Why not just go along to another Church and see if she feels that she fits in better in another congregation. Once saved always saved. God doesn't go back and change his mind about salvation. You can't change your mind or kill an enlivened human spirit because it's eternal.

Answer 7

It is better because then you are on the same level regarding spiritual things and prayer and why fasting and bible reading is important.
She may still be a christian but the main question is whether her belief and faith in God has changed in any way. If you want to settle down with her then you have to think of whether you would like your kids to go to church with you every sunday and grow up learning about God, or stay at home and do what they want to do with mum.
I think its time both of you sat down and really discussed where you are in life and where you are both headed and most of all apart from love and feelings what you want and expect from your relationship.
God bless.

Answer 8

To be a Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ, the resurrection, and the word of the Lord, now isn't it? So therefore, if your girlfriend still holds these things in her heart and beleives, then she is a Christian. One cannot say that because she does not attend a church, then she cannot be a Christian. We cannot possibly know what her relationship with God is like when she is in her private time. She may be closer to God than many "So called Christians", who attend church every week, but then never pray or communicate with God outside the church walls!
I pray (as a Christian myself) that you will continue to see your girlfriend. Keep her in-touch with what is going on at your church. Gently encourage her. But mostly, and importantly, pray for her daily. You don't need me to tell you, you cannot underestimate the power of prayer.
As for going to hell if we do not attend church. In the bible at John chapter 3. verses 15-16 it states "Everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life". I recomend also that you continue reading until verse 21. here , God makes it plain that he wants us to understand this, and what it implys for us. He loves us, and wants us to be saved. Note though. Nowhere does it say "You will be saved not by your faith, but by attending church every week come hell or high water"
Hope this answer helps you!

Answer 9

i believe in God and consider myself a christian,and have not gone to church for many years, if you believe in your heart that you have a personal relationship with Jesus and live your day to day life accordingly...then church attendancr matters little...I stopped going when churches turned to be more like corporations than churches....3/4/ of the sermon was about how much money they need ,and only 10 minutes were spent on actual religion...so got really trned off by the church...but still consider myself a christian.

Answer 10

the definition of Christian is simple any one who believes that Christ had died on the cross and ross again. you don't have to go to any church to be a Christian. Jesus tells us in the bible when ever two or more are gathered and topic re voles around him, he is present. and there by you are holding church. a church and church is religion not Christian you can find a biblical fault in any church releigion. so dont force your girl freind to go to church but do study the bible together and learn and grow with each other. try to find a good bible study to go to together compaired to a church. I hope that helps Good Luck