Church Membership Attendance

[SoliDeoGloriaa]

Should I be concerned about my dad? He's very knowledgeable about the bible, specifically false teachers he's good at knowing but he's one of those people who thinks he can worship anywhere. Which that's understandable you can, Jesus made that possible but the fact is ive mentioned "do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together as some do" and as well as mentioned why even have epistles to churches, also mentioned the body of Christ and how each person is a part of the body and should share their spiritual gifts in a corporate gathering. Any thoughts on this? I can't help but feel I have dishonored him or caused alot of strife over it. He always says "you don't go to hell for not going to church" and of course i can't say you will because I know that's not true.. just needing some help on what to do or if I should just leave it alone.

 

[Polanus1561]

How would he answer Heb. 13:17 when the LORD calls him to give account?

 

[Ye_Olde_Heidelberger]

He's very knowledgeable about the bible, specifically false teachers

This part of your post stands out to me. If the majority of your father's devotional life is spent "heresy hunting" and obsessing over false teachers online, I hardly imagine he is actually growing in his own walk with the Lord and is likely remaining blind to his own sin in the process.

"you don't go to hell for not going to church"

Refusing to attend public worship is a sin against the fourth commandment, which sadly sends many souls to hell. Does your father claim to be Reformed? If so, what does he make of the duties ammended to the fourth commandment, which are clearly laid out in our confessional standards?

 

[SoliDeoGloriaa]

This part of your post stands out to me. If the majority of your father's devotional life is spent "heresy hunting" and obsessing over false teachers online, I hardly imagine he is actually growing in his own walk with the Lord and is likely remaining blind to his own sin in the process.

He also was living with a girl not married, which i confronted when the time i felt was right. So indeed he is living in sin, i just don't understand how he knows alot of stuff and doesn't live it out. He also smokes weed, and i know that is a red flag as soon as you'll see it soo..

Refusing to attend public worship is a sin against the fourth commandment, which sadly sends many souls to hell. Does your father claim to be Reformed? If so, what does he make of the duties ammended to the fourth commandment, which are clearly laid out in our confessional standards?

He does not claim to be reformed but he does like some okay youtubers, persay Justin peters.

 

[Ploutos]

He doesn't sound like a believer. Pray for him, and find ways to strike up conversation and build relationship with him. Rather than direct head-on assaults against his clearly entrenched lifestyle habits, talk to him about your beliefs and your spiritual journey - not in a forceful way but organically, growing out of your own love for Scripture and for God (and if it's not coming organically, then you need to work on that as a prelude to being an effective witness!). Let your life and your conversation be your witness to him.

 

[The Layman Theologian]

He also was living with a girl not married, which i confronted when the time i felt was right. So indeed he is living in sin, i just don't understand how he knows alot of stuff and doesn't live it out. He also smokes weed, and i know that is a red flag as soon as you'll see it soo..


He does not claim to be reformed but he does like some okay youtubers, persay Justin peters.

It sounds like he is either unregenerate or in serious sin that needs addressing. I wouldn't be surprised if part of his desire not to attend is knowing that he is guilty of these issues and doesn't want to be confronted about them. It's easier to live in sin when it goes unconfronted. I would call out his sins lovingly whenever possible. That is indeed part of you loving him as your father, desiring that he doesn't continue in his sin and comes to repentance.

 

[B.L.]

So indeed he is living in sin, i just don't understand how he knows alot of stuff and doesn't live it out.

For starters I feel for you and the difficult situation you find yourself in with your father. That is a lot for a son to bear and I'm sorry you are having to deal with this right now. I can relate to how you feel, as my mother similarly professes to be a believer but seldom attends corporate worship and has a low view of the sin in her life.

As for your words above...this is more common than you think. Just because the knowledge is in the head doesn't mean it has pierced the heart. Continue to pray for your father...for the wisdom and courage to be the Lord's instrument to speak truth into his life...and that the Spirit will be at work.

 

[Andres]

Should I be concerned about my dad?

Yes, very much so.

 

[JvMill]

My step-father in-law and Mother in-law were in the same boat, but especially the step father. He is a smart cookie, but was devoted more toward conspiracies and politics than the faith, yet they both claimed to be Christians. They were also living together unmarried and didn’t attend church for years.

My wife and I decided to do a few things. Pray for them, speak truth when we had the opportunity, visit them when we could, put up with the political and conspiracy talk, and help them with whatever we could while there (projects and that sort of thing). Also important is we lived out our Christian lives in front of them and were vocal about certain convictions.

Now they are married, attend church together, and are reading the Bible and taking in other Christian material. God has been so good in working in their hearts.

Just some encouragement for you: it’s possible for him to change. My wife and I were afraid for her parents’ souls for some time. And then one day her mom called her up and said they were visiting various churches to pick one to go to. Just don’t shun him. Pray for him with earnest.