Awhile back I commented on atheist Robert Jensen and his joining a Christian church. Now we have his pastor's viewpoint on why he was allowed to join.
I'll grant both Robert and Pastor Jim Rigby one thing....at least a non-Christian is hanging out somewhere that the gospel just might be heard. However, full-membership? Sounds sorta like Florida having a player who always shoots baskets for the other team (UCLA coulda won!). The player might be a nice guy, and finally learn to shoot the right way, but membership on the team isn't an option.
We want non-Christians hanging out, seeing us in action. But membership designates something else altogether. It says "I'm with you, I'm in agreement totally with you". Paul stated:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
We're so used to hearing the first part with reference to marrying. But the whole context points to just this situation. However, this is a mainline church. A denomination that is losing members. The churches that are gaining members are the ones who actually listen to passages like Paul's above.
-Colonel Steve
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