Can I Date Someone Of A Different Denomination

‘She’s a Lutheran but I’m a Pentecostal – are we allowed to date?’

‘I’m a Baptist but he’s a Catholic – is it OK if we go out?’

‘If my girlfriend and I go to different churches, will we be unequally yoked?’

You’ve got your eye on someone who seems friendly, fun and a potential spouse. But you both belong to different church denominations. What does the Bible say about this?

The most important issue is whether or not you are both saved. Have you each submitted to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Do you each have a deep, living relationship with Him? Is He the first priority in each of your lives?

If so, then you will not be unequally yoked.

The following passage refers only to Christians marrying non-Christians, or believers marrying unbelievers: ‘Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?’ (2 Cor 6:14) This passage does not refer to two Christians who may have some differing beliefs or practices.

If each of you knows Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, then there is no biblical reason why you shouldn’t date or ultimately marry.

However, there will be potential problems in your relationship. Your families may not agree with your decision to date someone from another denomination. Your respective churches may even advise against it. Be prepared that you may need to address these issues if they arise.

If you decide later to marry, then be aware that you will face – and have to resolve – even more issues. These include:

• Which church should you attend as a married couple – and later as a family? One of you at least will have to agree to attend a church that may be quite different to what you’re used to. If your denominations are radically different, you may decide it’s best to each leave your respective denominations and find a new one somewhere in middle ground. It may be difficult for you to leave your denomination and it will almost certainly be hard to leave your church family. You should at least discuss this issue, even if you don’t fully resolve it, before you enter into an engagement.
• If your respective denominations have differing views on how to raise children, how will you address this? Perhaps the greatest issue is to do with baptism. Will you baptise your children when they are babies, or leave it up to each child to decide for themselves later in life?

A Christian couple, although they may come from different backgrounds, must agree on the essentials required for a Christian relationship: mutual faith in Christ, love for one another, and the desire for a relationship that honours God.

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