Being All Things to All People?

[Paula]

I had a rather unusual situation come up that I think has relevance to Christian practice in general which is why I'm posting this here.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NASB) Paul writes:

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Now I don't think I have the same calling to evangelism that some Christians have but I love the Lord Jesus and so I do feel the need to be open about my faith.

Now here's the situation and how it pertains to the quoted passage above--there is someone I know who isn't a Christian but is basically a follower of what I guess you could call nature religions. Despite the hostility towards Christianity on their part I've tried to be a good friend and someone who they can discuss religion and spirituality with.

At any rate, out of the blue they had proposed to me an exchange of sorts--I'd come to one of their religious meetings and they'd come to church with me.

The relevance to the above passage pertains to being all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel but herein lies a dilemma: do I go to their religious meeting with them so that they will do what they would probably never do and step foot in a church or do I refuse since to do so would mean compromising my faith, if not in actuality, then in appearance.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this or similar stories where they were caught in a dilemma. Or perhaps this is a false dilemma and there is a right answer (or solution) to it but I just can't see it.

Do you try to be all things to all people so as to win some and what does that look like?

[NorrinRadd]

Jesus didn't worry about the "appearance" of being seen with "tax-gatherers and sinners."

[Obsidian]

I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with observing a pagan service. However, I also don't think there is anything very useful about dragging an unbeliever to church.

[Scrawly]

If you have already explained the gospel to her in a manner she understands, I would simply continue being her friend and leave things be. Perhaps this 'out of the blue' request to go to church with you on the condition you attend one of her meetings is an indication of interest - but you don't know, so just ask her. It might just be a "you have your path, I have mine, we can both share and appreciate one another and our choices". If that's what it is, then I'd just decline and continue the friendship as it were.

I wouldn't worry about appearing to compromise your faith by attending a pagan ritual. Who's watching? A weak brother or sister from behind the trees? If they do happen to see you in that context, simply explain what was going on. If you feel that you'll be adversely affected spiritually, or that starts to happen while you are there, simply leave.

Hope that helps.

[KingsGambit]

However, I also don't think there is anything very useful about dragging an unbeliever to church.

She isn't being "dragged" to church; she actually proposed going on her own.

Maybe this could be thought of like Paul carefully studying and observing the pagan idols at the Areopagus in preparation for his planned evangelism.

[Paula]

I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with observing a pagan service. However, I also don't think there is anything very useful about dragging an unbeliever to church.

If you have already explained the gospel to her in a manner she understands, I would simply continue being her friend and leave things be. Perhaps this 'out of the blue' request to go to church with you on the condition you attend one of her meetings is an indication of interest - but you don't know, so just ask her. It might just be a "you have your path, I have mine, we can both share and appreciate one another and our choices". If that's what it is, then I'd just decline and continue the friendship as it were.

I wouldn't worry about appearing to compromise your faith by attending a pagan ritual. Who's watching? A weak brother or sister from behind the trees? If they do happen to see you in that context, simply explain what was going on. If you feel that you'll be adversely affected spiritually, or that starts to happen while you are there, simply leave.

Hope that helps.

That was helpful, to both of you, so thank you. So neither of you sees anything, in and of itself, wrong with attending a pagan ceremony as an observer. I guess I am just trying to figure out where the line is drawn. I might be a weaker sister in Christ myself.

In her case, I am pretty certain she isn't personally interested in Christianity but rather this is an extension of what we currently have, which is a mutual exchange of religious ideas. I don't want to let an opportunity slide, but since the majority of a service is worship (singing and praying), aside from her seeing what a Christian service is like, I am a bit concerned on my part what useful evangelistic function it would serve. But then I could be wrong which is why I am mulling this over and trying to figure out what the best decision would be.

She isn't being "dragged" to church; she actually proposed going on her own.

Maybe this could be thought of like Paul carefully studying and observing the pagan idols at the Areopagus in preparation for his planned evangelism.

Aside from sharing my faith with them, it would probably be just me standing back and observing. I am not sure how much of a comparison to Paul's experience it was, since I am pretty sure Paul never went into any pagan temples but rather, my impression was that Paul was observing paganism being enacted in the open. Not sure if this is any meaningful difference through. Paul clearly knew enough about paganism to quote poetry, which meant he must have studied it at some point. To a degree it is important to know the real world religions people practice rather than the academic versions. You made a good point though.

[Truthseeker]

I am not sure how much of a comparison to Paul's experience it was, since I am pretty sure Paul never went into any pagan temples but rather, my impression was that Paul was observing paganism being enacted in the open. Not sure if this is any meaningful difference through. Paul clearly knew enough about paganism to quote poetry, which meant he must have studied it at some point.

Paul showed up in several pagan cities, Rome in particular. I doubt narrowing the venues to paganistic places would make a significant difference.