Why are christians having such are difficult time about whether it's ok to drink alcohol or not. I mean really... the bible is crystal clear on drunkeness. But then we have this "social drinking" issue. It's ok in moderation, I only have one glass with a meal, etc., etc., etc., really... what's the point in that? Having one glass of alcohol is about as pointless as owning a corvette and only driving the speed limit. Alcoholic drinks cost about 3 to 4 times more than a regular drink costs; Are you claiming that they taste that much better? Just be real... truthful... honest... people don't drink alcohol for taste, it's for the buzz. Thats like saying people have sex in order to have children.... ha yeah right! If people are drinking to quench thirst, why do the manufacturers constantly have to tell them to drink responsibly? Why is alcohol the number one killer of people age 3-30? This stuff is rotting our society away, killing our kids, destroying our families. Why not just have a coke or a glass of tea? This issue really isn't about alcohol... it's about being a lover of God rather than ourself. It's about sacrificing a physical pleasure for the sake of holiness. It's about caring more about personal integrity and the advance of the gospel than social pressures and personal preferences. Wednesday, March 11, 2009
let's be brutally honest...
Why are christians having such are difficult time about whether it's ok to drink alcohol or not. I mean really... the bible is crystal clear on drunkeness. But then we have this "social drinking" issue. It's ok in moderation, I only have one glass with a meal, etc., etc., etc., really... what's the point in that? Having one glass of alcohol is about as pointless as owning a corvette and only driving the speed limit. Alcoholic drinks cost about 3 to 4 times more than a regular drink costs; Are you claiming that they taste that much better? Just be real... truthful... honest... people don't drink alcohol for taste, it's for the buzz. Thats like saying people have sex in order to have children.... ha yeah right! If people are drinking to quench thirst, why do the manufacturers constantly have to tell them to drink responsibly? Why is alcohol the number one killer of people age 3-30? This stuff is rotting our society away, killing our kids, destroying our families. Why not just have a coke or a glass of tea? This issue really isn't about alcohol... it's about being a lover of God rather than ourself. It's about sacrificing a physical pleasure for the sake of holiness. It's about caring more about personal integrity and the advance of the gospel than social pressures and personal preferences. 
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3 comments:
Brian:
First I would like to say that when you do write in your blog it is thought provoking and exactly what a blog was meant to be. Anyone can have a blog these days and many of them are painful to read because they discuss mundane chores and things that for most of us require no thought at all.
I know you from SHS and read your blog mainly to complete the picture that you created on FB. I am your brother Shawn’ s age and I have been away from Saline since I was somewhere around 21 years of age. I would describe myself as a Christian conservative mother who is compassionate but feels strongly that people need a hand up not a hand out when they are down. I feel that people need to be lead or guided not dictated to.
The topic that provoked my response to you was the “let’s be brutally honest” opinion.
I am not sure why this topic provoked me more than others except maybe that we agree on a lot of things. Even on this topic we agree partially. I agree with you that alcohol is a problem for many individuals and families. I think those families need support and solutions to help them overcome their addiction to this addictive drug. Parts of my own family have struggled with resisting this awful temptation
Here is where I think we may disagree: I felt like your article singled out the alcohol temptation and maybe even wishfully hoped to eliminate this temptation altogether. I feel like we were placed here on earth to face temptations and test our faith in our lord. As we overcome each temptation we come closer to our lord. We each have our own individual fight and there are many temptations out there. Alcohol is one of them but it is by far not the only one and maybe not even the most urgent. Obesity is almost at an epidemic rate. What causes obesity for most is an addiction to food and a sedentary life. Many Americans’ live on fat, high calorie foods from the frozen sections of their markets, fast food restaurants, or the local pizza guy and they in turn sit on the couch in front of the t.v. watching the show they can NOT miss or playing a video game they play for hours a day with little to no human contact. They pass this lifestyle on sadly to their children. How many obese people do you see with skinny kids? Obesity isn‘t the only additional addiction we face. Many of our addictions include caffeine (guilty) , sugar, too much work, too much exercise, lack of exercise, too much food, too little food, too little work, sex , plastic surgery, tanning, internet………. I could go on but my point is that all of these things are problems and would not be looked on as GOD like. To single any one of them out seems beside the point. Of course if my family is struggling with alcoholism then that is more important to me than obesity or anorexia…….. Is it more important to God though? Is the big picture here not “treat your body like a temple” and if you are drinking too much alcohol, eating too much food, sun tanning too much, working too much, exercising too little ….. You are NOT doing that, you are NOT healthy, you are not creating a good example fro your children and you are not being GoD like. You will have a better life on earth and in the after life if you conquer your addiction, whatever it may be.
Everyone should stop and ask themselves “am I living a life that is positively affecting those around me and myself”. If you can answer yes and still have a glass of wine then you are doing o.k. It is not relevant to discuss cost of your favorite beverage (as in your article)unless that cost is prohibiting you from providing for your self or family. Let us be frank, many specialized fruit drinks, some that may be a favorite of the author from his travels to brazil, are NOT cheap. They taste good and may make one feel good and what is wrong with that unless you can’t pay your bills because of this.
Now, we are back on the discussion of addictions. Do you get my point? Buzzes are not absolutely exclusive and relevant to the discussion of alcohol addiction because caffeine, sex, chocolate, sugar, many vitamins, foods, exercise …. Cause a buzz of some sort. What is relevant is the discussion of whether that ‘buzz’ from whatever the source causes you to make decisions that are not good for you or your family. (I.e. sex is great and I do not think God disapproves of it when it is between a husband and wife. I think God designed it too feel good and create a rush. However, if the rush you get from sex causes you to cheat with another person or ignore the wishes of your spouse then it is a problem) Otherwise enjoy and embrace the rush. J I think the same goes for a glass of wine J I hope I have not offended you. I appreciate the brian stimulating thoughts you provoked with this discussion. I hope you continue your blog and you are open to healthy discussion. I welcome your response. J
Kathleen Sopp
P.s. My prayers are with you, your mom and family in regards to the health of your mother. I remember her as being a beautiful and wonderful woman. May GOD be with you .
Really? what about the issue of 'social gluttony' that is alive and rampant in many of our churches.
Or if we addressed that would it hit too close to home for the pastors preaching the message?
And soda....? Really? do you even know what you are putting into your body? Can you describe the chemicals?
And how this issue impeeds our bodies as being the temple of God. Ever heard of Type II diabetes? Heart disease? obesity related diseases and illnesses? high cholestorol? and so many other health issues that could be controlled, if not cured, by the foods and chemical that we put into our bodies.
I agree with you that alcohol is unnecessary. However, as church leaders, it is high time, we all discuss across the board our bodies being God's temple. Completely. (But I will add that I do have ONE glass of wine every once in a while with a nice juicy medium rare steak....nothing like it. COke wouldn't even compare to the flavor pallet of steak and a nice red wine. Just ain't happening.)
And to equate it to holiness and love/devotion to God. Brian, that borders on spiritual abuse, or at least legalism.
I am sorry to be harsh. But I grew up where you did. I heard the message a gazillion times--"If you drink you are going to Hell." Well, guess what: I love Jesus as much, actually more, now than I did then...even working for him, exclusively now, planting a church in one of the most unchurched/unChristian areas of our country.
Your heart is right. I know it is......but equating it to people's holiness.....not so much agreeing with you there.
I know folks who don't drink and who are at all of the church's 'eatin' meetings' whose hearts are far from God. But they have many folks fooled.
Yet, you are saying that someone sold out to Christ, who occasionally has a glass of wine, or on vacation in Mexico an umbrella drink, should be questioned on their devotion to God.
Wow, I am really glad that God looks on the inside....or I would be going to hell in a handbasket.
on the issue of gluttany... I don't disagree with you, It just wasn't the topic being discussed.
"And to equate it to holiness and love/devotion to God. Brian, that borders on spiritual abuse, or at least legalism."... I guess Paul was a legalist? Because a very simalar issue was discussed in scripture about eating meat that was sacrificed to idols, and in order to not offend others he abstained from eating meat. There's no sin in one glass of wine... but why did you capitalize the "ONE"? For integrity's sake right? Because studies say that "some impairment" is observed after only 2 drinks of nearly all alcoholic beverages.
(http://www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm Check it out on the blood alcohol calculator.)
Does that mean drunk? I guess it depends on how legalistic you are and how much you weigh. I would rather live and teach abstinence on this issue. It's just not worth jeopardizing my integrity for a drink, even though spiritually I am free to do so. I'm not being legalistic... I'm being rebellious against the number one killer of students, and a drink that's rotting away marriages and families.
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