Alcohol is one of those very touchy issues in the faith of Christ followers. We seem to be unable to navigate this grey area. And as we consult the Bible looking for black and white answers they allude us. Here are some examples:
- - alcohol in the negative - -
+ + alcohol in the positive + +
Please do not think this list exhaustive. Wine and drinking alcohol is all throughout the Bible. It's part of Jewish culture. But does that mean it should be part of our culture? Part of our expression of Christianity? This is the question. And placing ourselves so strongly on one side or the other causes us to commit alcohol-ism.
So what should we do? How should we treat alcohol so that we are true to scripture and approbate to culture. We can find some help from Romans 14. Here Paul gives direction as to how those with "strong" faith should interact with those with "weak" faith. What is interesting is that those who accept disputable issues are considered to have "strong" faith; and those who reject them have "weak" faith.
Who are we? Where are we at? Is our faith strong or weak? Are we causing our weaker fathed brothers and sisters to stumble? How are we going to respond to the issue of alcohol without committing alcohol-ism?
your thoughts ? ? ?
3 comments:
I can't back this up, but I think that we live in an area that has an all or nothing approach to alcohol because this area has been historically plagued with alcoholism (the normal use of the word). I think younger generations are becoming less polarized as conditions improve, but there was a time when at least the states, and I'm not sure about here had to enforce prohabition laws.
I think that Alcohol-ism (in the sense that you've described it) is just a part of our heritage and culture.
Here something to consider: should anyone ultimately be satisfied with having a weak faith.
Possible application: Someone thinks my moderate and God-thankful alcohol consumption is bad. In order to not cause this weak faithed person to stumble I avoid drinking when out for dinner with them.
But should the weak faithed person just continue being weak faithed? Shouldn't they eventually strengthen?
I'm not really sure how to work all this stuff out. I once heard somebody say that there is a very small difference between the weak faithed brother and the pharisee.
On the one hand: "...do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. "
On the other hand: "...Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind..."
On the third hand: "...Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin..."
bottom line is that it's a Christian liberty. No, it's not a sin to drink, only a sin to be drunk. There is lots of wisdom in obstaining from alcohol when you are in a position of church leadership. Because you have to . . . no, but because it can build a bridge for ministry and keep you blameless amongst those whom you shepherd. it's a small sacrifice to make for the kingdom. too many Christians are 'fighting for their right' to drink. Such efforts can be full of pride and don't seek the betterment of others around. Alcohol is such a touchy subject that obstaining provides such an opportunity to remian blameless and to cultivate humility in the Christian life - what an awesome thing! trav.
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