Comments on: beer, bible & theology

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:53:29 +0000

I feel some people are missing the point here. Christianity is not about what you can “get away” with, but rather the humbling of ourselves in reverence to Christ and His example, so as to glorify God. This is about sacrafice as much as freedom. I think there are way to many christians hanging their hats on this “freedom” pole. My point, is freedom is great, however sacrafice and glorifying God is far greater. Jesus could have whooped Satan in His temptation a zillion times over, BUT, he knew He had a far greater and deeper meaning and ultimately God would be glorified beyond if He did’nt whoop Satan there but rather on the cross.

The PostDispatch article is nothing really more than another media outlet trying to fling dust in a dreadful hope of gaining readership. Pitiful. I personally don’t have an issue with a beer, but if what I’m doing would cause my brother to fall….even if I have the freedom to do so within Christ, then sacrafice is greater and will glorify God more…that is the goal. Period.

By: The Hosh

The Hosh — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:35:39 +0000

Great reply. Thanks for your blog!

By: b-matt

b-matt — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:42:00 +0000

I agree with you on that rags … I really do.

But I also know some “stronger brothers” who like to use that argument to strong-arm others into falling into their idea of what it means to be a Christian. I think we both agree it’s not a “this or that” issue and it takes some senstivitiy and understandning on everyone’s part.

I just would love to see us change the order of our thinking. For too long we have equated changed behavior with changed lives … instead of the opposite. I’d much rather see us encourage changed lives that will undoubtedly lead to some changed behaviors rather than harping on changing behaviors as if that will somehow lead to a changed life.

By: rags

rags — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:38:24 +0000

I agree that this issue has fallen off the radar for many. I also agree that it is cultural, but I return to Paul’s argument in 1 Cor. 8. There are times when cultural issues do in fact dictate our praxis. If drinking alcohol is unacceptable in my community for cultural reasons, then I must be humble enough to not flaunt my freedom (or knowledge) in that community. For me it would in fact be immoral to drink alcohol because of the authority that I have submitted myself to and because of my position within my community.

By: A.B. Dada

A.B. Dada — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:06:27 +0000

Good thinking, Ben.

My biggest problem with the beer issue is when a 350lb pastor tells me that consuming alcohol is sinful — the beam and speck verse comes to mind here. I had it happen to me outside of a conservative church when I was smoking (in my car) — a very VERY large woman was criticizing me for smoking. The hypocrisy is rampant in legalist churches.

Also, on the occasions when I have been drunk, I have realized that it was ungodly — so I didn’t do it again, at least not often. Why was it ungodly? Because I wasn’t doing something that I could show as beneficial to the rest of the world and admire God for giving me the talents to do those beneficial actions.

I think Old Testament law is pretty straightforward. I think that pre-Tribulation New Testament actions are pretty understandable — an early church waiting for Christ’s return. As a preterist, though, I don’t see how alcohol or cigarettes or any of the rest really has much to do with the Bible or what God has blessed us with — namely the end of the penalty of sin. Again, though, this is where I differ greatly from the x-millenialists, and I can understand why they have so many differing opinions on the issue.