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January 2008
Is it a sin for Christians to drink alcoholic beverages?
Proverbs 20:1 (KJV): Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
As soon as I got to my office yesterday, I had an email from a member of my church concerning yesterday’s blog entry about Faith helping people overcome their addictions. The member wrote: “Hey Pastor, I learned something new about you today”. He went on to say that he read my blog entry to mean that it was ok for Christians to drink moderately as long as they didn’t become drunkards. Understanding that many of my fellow bloggers may suffer from the same illness as my member [selective reading-Ha! Ha!], the email began my mind juices racing on the topic of today: “Is it a sin for Christians to drink alcoholic beverages?
Let me begin by clarifying my position-I DO NOT believe that it is a sin if a Christian chooses to drink but I DO believe that it is wrong for a Christian to drink alcoholic beverages for numerous reasons. As far as I’ve read, the bible says that a drunkard will not enter the kingdom of God; it does not come right out and state that all drinking is wrong{I Corinthians 6:8-10]. Galatians 5:13 teaches that God gives us a free will to decide for ourselves if drinking alcoholic beverages is wrong for us, but with that liberty- comes responsibility to choose what is right. I Corinthians teaches us that we may be free to drink, but if a weaker brother sees our liberty and stumbles because he can’t control his drinking, then we should choose to be an example to our weaker brother.
For me, the sin is not in the drinking, but that the drinking leads to sin. The obvious ones are when a person gets drunk and then becomes abusive to someone who was created in God’s image, in particular a spouse or children. Or how about drinking and driving and foolishly killing a person as a result of an accident? And what about the mental and physical damage alcoholism does to a person’s body? It not about that one drink, but that the one drink leads to two, then twenty and then you wake up one day an alcoholic. Those are a few of the ways drinking leads to sin!
So, I ask you: “Is it a sin for Christians to drink? Is it a personal decision or should all Christians not drink? Why do some denominations allow for drinking, yet some absolutely forbid it? Let’s chat amongst ourselves fellow bloggers!!!
Can Faith help people overcome alcohol addiction?
Numbers 6:2-3 (New Living Translation)“
If any of the people, either men or women, take the special vow of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart to the LORD in a special way, 3 they must give up wine and other alcoholic drinks. They must not use vinegar made from wine or from other alcoholic drinks, they must not drink fresh grape juice, and they must not eat grapes or raisins”
“Addiction is hard to overcome. As you might remember, I drank too much at one time in my life,” President Bush said during a visit yesterday to the Jericho Program, a project of Episcopal Community Services of Maryland that helps former prisoners deal with problems such as drug addiction. “I understand addiction, and I understand how a changed heart can help you deal with addiction.” Bush for some time now has testified to the nation that he credits his faith for him being able to overcome his battle with alcohol addiction. Coming from the most powerful man in the world, those are some welcome words for those facing similar problems.
So what should our position as Christians be since we know the many sorrows that drunkenness causes? I personally believe that although a Christian may be free to drink moderately as long as they do not become drunk, we should not allow our liberty to be a license to sin, nor should we do anything that would cause a brother to stumble’ {1 Corinthians 8:9: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.”} We must all give an account of ourselves before our Lord. Would it not be pleasing to God if we loved others enough to give up those things we could have, for a greater cause? Would it not be a more powerful witness to others in our age to stand out as one who did not drink alcoholic beverages just because we had no need to do so? I am indeed convinced that Faith can and does help anyone dealing with an addiction.
So, what do you think? Can a person’s faith help them deal with their addictions? Is there anyone out there that doesn’t believe that Faith can help a person overcome their addiction demons? Anybody out there brave enough as President Bush who would be willing share with our bloggers your own battle with addiction and how your faith helped you overcome?
Waco Trib has moral and civic responsibility to cover faith Community happenings
Every Saturday, one of the sections I use to love to read in our local newspaper was the “religion” page. But here lately, I’ve been concerned about the Trib’s lack of local coverage of our faith community’s activities. In fact, it is quickly becoming a page of national stories removing any hint of local flavor. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer to read about the awesome things happening in our local faith communities any day over any Associated Press story!
In this past’s Saturday’s religion page, I noticed ONE local story written by our own illustrious Trib reporter Terri Jo Ryan [Praise God and the Trib!!!], and SEVEN national stories. Other than the Church briefs and religion calendar, there were FORTY FIVE paid advertisements from local churches. Now I don’t about you, but it seems in my mind that local churches are supporting the Trib’s cause, but the Trib is failing poorly in its support of our faith community’s cause!
I personally believe that the Trib’s moral and civic commitment to serve our faith community should be just as important to them as their commitment to superior customer service. I further believe the Trib has a responsibility to give back to the community as a whole thus empowering these communities of faith to bring hope and encouragement to those in our county who desperately need it through the coverage of local stories and events.
Which brings me to the question I want to ask my fellow bloggers today- Does the Trib have a moral and civic responsibility to cover stories and happenings in the faith community? Should it be all about “THE BOTTOM LINE” for businesses like the Trib without concern of their moral and civic obligation? Do you even care if they do or not? Let’s have some dialogue fellow bloggers!
Should Christians donate body parts?
In today’s paper, Trib reporter Cindy Culp reported that Waco has gone from being one of the lowest, to one of the highest rates in the State in organ donations. In fact, Michelle Segovia, spokeswoman for the Organ Sharing Alliance was reported saying: “Waco has really taken ownership”. And here is another kicker; Baylor University is in the developmental stage of forming a “Students for organ donation” chapter on campus! What? A Christian School telling people its ok to give parts away that the bible says God will come back for and raise up at the end of age? Even Ross Davis, Hillcrest Hospital manager of Pastoral care, is quoted in the article as saying he is: “optimistic that the high rate of consent will continue” as the hospital continues its work with the Organ Alliance.
I look at this topic with the same argument that folks have about cremation. Some believers object to the practice of cremation on the basis that it does not recognize that one day God will resurrect our bodies and re-unite them with our soul and spirit according to (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). But for me, the fact that a body has been cremated does not make it any more difficult for God to resurrect a body. The bodies of Christians who died a thousand years ago have, by now, completely turned into dust. This will in no way prevent God from being able to resurrect their bodies. Cremation does nothing but “expedite” the process of turning a body into dust.
For me, the question of donating body organs falls within the realm of Christian freedom. If a person believes in their heart it’s wrong for them, then they should have that freedom to decide. But if a person believes its ok for them to donate, I believe my God is big enough to complete the work he said he would do with or without those parts.
So the blog question of the day is this: Should Christians donate their body organs? Will they need all parts intact when The Lord comes back to raise those corruptible bodies into un-corruptible bodies ready for heaven? Or do you think God is able to recreate our resurrected bodies with-out those organs? Is it not a good thing for us to donate our organs so that life may continue, or did God create those parts just for us?
Cultural attitude change toward abortion major reason for decline in abortion rate!
Saturday’s Tribune Herald’s front page article about the declining rate of abortions has been the topic of my blog for the last two days. Today, we will dialogue about what you believe is the reason for this decline. The article was a result of a new survey from the Guttmacher Institute that says the U.S. abortion rate has fallen to its lowest level since 1974. The number of abortions is also down, from 1.6 million in 1990 to 1.2 million in 2005.
Depending on who you talk to {Pro-Life or Pro-Choice folks}, various explanations are that the abortion rate is declining because of inadequate access to abortion facilities, a shortage of abortionists, better use of contraception, the success of abstinent based educational efforts, chastity programs and the passage of recently passed pro-life laws such as a women’s right to know law, or requirements for informed consent and parental notification laws. There is even a suggestion that the use of emergency contraception such as the morning after pill have also contributed to the decline because these abortions are not reported as abortions.
My personal feelings are that while many of these explanations probably contributed somewhat to the decline, America is witnessing a major shift in the cultural attitudes toward abortion in the hearts of the people of this nation. Hosea 4:6 states: “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge”. For years, the liberal media kept people from being knowledgeable about the horrors of abortion. But with the invention of the internet and its vast information highway, as well as a hard fought battle by Pro-Lifers who diligently brought this subject to the forefront, people became more knowledge and the mindset of America began to change its attitude toward abortion. Another major reason in recent years that has had a tremendous effect in curbing the decision to abort is the use of Ultrasound machines by Pregnancy Centers. Once a woman sees the fact that indeed it is a baby and not a glob of nothing as some describe, their hearts are turned toward their baby and choose not to abort their gift from God.
I could go on and on about my thoughts but I really want to here your thoughts? What do you think? Am I totally off base in my thinking? Can you tell me if I missed something that might be a major contributor to the decline of abortion? Lets talk bloggers!
Are Contraceptives a form of abortion?
Saturday’s edition of the Waco Tribune Herald ran an article in which Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, called herself a: “Reformed murderer” for undergoing two abortions when she was young. In the article, Ms. King said: “We give free sex education, condoms, and free birth control pills. That’s almost like permission to have free sex”. Ms. King’s comment brings up the question-are contraceptives just another form of abortion which allows for free sex by the human race without any consequences of their actions?
People have attempted various methods of birth control for almost as long as there has been human existence. For centuries, humans have relied upon their imagination to avoid pregnancy. Now I don’t confess to be a birth control expert by any stretch of the imagination, so don’t hold me to this, but I believe there are more than 40 different versions of the pill available today. In most instances, these pills work in the body to prevent an egg from being fertilized. Many in society today would agree that if birth control was used in this method, contraceptives would not be considered a form of abortion because it works before conception.
But if “The Pill” is taken in a certain way, it can actually work “after” conception by preventing the embryo from implanting on the uterine wall. The “morning after” pill as it is referred to, is nothing more than regular birth control pills taken in massive dosage to insure that the embryo will not implant. In other words, the pill causes the baby to be miscarried by the body and the baby dies. This use can only be seen as another form of abortion seeing as new life has already been conceived.
Scripture teaches that human beings are made in the image of God, by God, for His purposes, and live at His pleasure. Therefore, most Christians would agree that human beings do not have the right before God to terminate the life of any other fellow human being, even if that human being is an innocent baby in the womb of a woman.
I know I will take the chance of being flogged by many of my Pro-life friends, but I personally believe that while we may be attempting to play God in choosing when a woman gets pregnant, most contraceptives are useful in preventing a woman from eventually having to terminate an un-wanted pregnancy. I also believe in the priesthood of every Christian couple in that they have the choice to decide rather their conscience considers it wrong or not for them.
So what do you think?, Are all contraceptives just another form of abortion? What are your thoughts on the topic? Will you dare to jump out there and state your opinion and thoughts?
Abortion may be legal, but it’s still wrong!
In Saturday’s edition of the Waco Tribune Herald, the paper ran a front page article written by an Associated Press reporter stating that U.S. abortion rates continue to fall with 1 in 5 pregnancies being terminated in 2005. The article stated that: “half of the roughly 1.2 million U.S. women who have abortions each year are 25 years or older and not frightened teenagers nervously choosing to terminate an unexpected pregnancy”. This article prompted me to devote this week’s blog entries to the discussion of abortion. Today, I hope we can have an open dialogue on the question: “Is abortion wrong?” Tuesday, my entry will focus on the question: “Is birth control pills just another form of abortion?” Then Wednesday, we will conclude our dialogue asking the question: “What do you attribute the decline in abortion rates to?”
I must admit that no where in the Bible will you find a verse which says: “Thou shalt not abort your children.” One of the reasons for this is because the prohibition was completely covered in “Thou shall not murder” {Exodus 20:13}. When we talk about a woman’s “choice”, that choice pertains to her choosing to have unprotected sex or not, not the taking of innocent life in the womb. Only God can create and give life and only he has the right to say when life is terminated. I believe the Bible gives us God’s absolute moral standards that apply to every culture and every age. God holds us accountable to the standards of His Word, whether we accept or embrace those standards or not.
Christians must understand that supporting abortion is opposed to God and his righteousness. God calls each of us to defend the innocent. Christians should elect leaders who share the Biblical view of abortion, support groups working to make abortion unacceptable in our country, and donate their time and money to pregnancy care centers who attempt to protect innocent babies in the womb.
So, now you know where I stand on the issue and what I think God’s word has to say about this volatile topic. Anybody out there have a different biblical view? Surely there are those out there with a different opinion? Let’s chat among ourselves!
The Healing Power of Prayer!
As I scanned the headlines today, I couldn’t find anything I felt to write about. So I decided to throw out a much debated issue for your consideration- that of the healing power of prayer and its effect on people who are suffering from an illness.
Scientists don’t know why or how it works, but an increasing number of studies suggest what some people have believed for thousands of years: prayer does work. One well-known study found that coronary patients at San Francisco General Hospital who were prayed for did better than those who were not prayed for. The prayed-for patients required fewer antibiotics and were less likely to develop certain complications than the group that was not prayed for.
The studies showed how powerful the mind and body can be when associated with prayer. They demonstrate a principle you may have already experienced for yourself—you can use prayer to create spiritual, mental, and healing changes in your life.
I personally have seen, experienced, and am convinced in the power of healing prayers. The bible is full of examples how Jesus went about “Healing those who were sick”. The Apostle Paul admonished the elders of the church in James 5: 14 that if there were any sick among them, to lay hands on them, and pray healing over them.
So I ask you- do you believe in healing by prayer? Have you personally been healed after either praying for yourself or having someone pray for you? Any testimonies out there about a miraculous healing? Anybody out there that thinks healing by prayer went out with the new testament?
Lottery ticket hits lower-income target instead!
Ken Sury, my fellow trib blogger had an interesting entry on his blog yesterday about a study done by the San-Antonio Express News and the Houston Chronicle on our illustrious Texas Lottery. The study reported that the $50 scratch off game intended to entice ticket sales in the affluent areas of our state were actually selling better in the middle-income neighborhoods. Sury stated “this just adds fuel to the argument that those that have the least to spend are the ones buying those tickets in hopes of winning big”.
As far as I can tell, the Bible does not specifically forbid gambling. There is no eleventh commandment in the Bible that’s says: “Thou shalt not gamble”. But do we have a spiritual and moral responsibility to speak against this addicting drug, or is it a person’s right to decide for themselves if it is right for them?
I believe that gambling violates principles in God’s word concerning the sovereignty of God, stewardship, brotherly love, and God’s instruction not to be brought under the power of anything but the Holy Spirit. So, should we all rise up and stop Bingo and the lottery before the gambling casinos invade our state, or should we allow it because many other states are doing it? Wouldn’t our property taxes go down with this new influx of generated revenue from gambling? What do you say fellow bloggers?
Bible’s response to immigration!
If anyone picked up Sunday’s edition of the Waco Tribune Herald, you saw the front page story about the deadly path many illegal immigrants must take to cross over the Mexico/Texas border in search of a better life. JB Smith did an excellent job of reporting the horrendous and sometimes fatal trips these folks take just to try and provide for their families. Days without sleep, dehydration and possible death, Coyote’s [people smugglers] who have no conscience and who charge $1700.00 per head are just a few traps they have to overcome in their trek to the land of the free.
Many say theses ‘Beaners” take jobs away from Americans but the fact is that many large Corporations report many of these jobs would remain vacant because Americans won’t do them. Others spew immigrants don’t pay taxes and are only a drain on local hospitals and school districts. The truth is that many pay taxes under a false Social Security number for which they will never get to collect thereby actually contributing to government funded programs. We’ve heard many responses from Americans who think these people should all be loaded on a bus and shipped back to Mexico.
But what is the bible’s response to our immigration issue? Well it starts with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ being rejected by his people, then moves to the Good Samaritan story, and concludes with God telling Peter not to call unclean what He calls clean. The Apostle Paul found himself an immigrant to a foreign land and as a result, felt the need to pen his experience in Acts 28:1 and 10: “[1] Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. [10]They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed”
I think God made us all a member of his household and therefore we should make every effort to open our arms in Christian love to those who seek refuge in our beautiful land. I’m in full support of the bible’s response to immigration reform. How about you? Do you have a different scriptural view of immigration reform?
Should Halfway House Be Allowed In Residential Area?
Ok mighty bloggers, here is a hot potato type of entry today! The Tribune Herald ran a story in the local page today about a rehab program called The House Where Jesus Shines wanting to place a new location in the middle of a residential area in Bellmead. Pastor Ronnie Holmes of Open Door Church has assured neighbors that the center would be safe and has promised to make sure the center was well lit, a privacy fence would be placed around the center, and that additional staff would monitor the parolees. Since the center will be in compliance to all city codes and regulations, there really is no reason to deny the center’s establishment, right? My thought is that this center should be treated like any other organization in that if it complies with the law, it should be granted a permit to occupy the building. This program has a better rate of success because it is a faith-based program. One of the reasons they are so successful is because they are dealing with the deep root issue of the problem, man’s depravity and sinful heart. If you try and change the behavior and not the nature, most will go back and do the same thing they got in trouble for. Romans 15:1-3 (New International Version) 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Based upon the scripture above, would not the right thing to do is allow the center to exist for the sake of all involved? Our personal dilemma is that most of the time, we are too self-centered to apply biblical principles to our daily decisions. Most of us are OK applying biblical teachings as long as it doesn’t affect us personally. Many of the neighbors were quoted as saying they think the program is much needed, but not in their neighborhood! Am I taking the essence of this principle too far in applying it to this particular situation? Could you deal with a rehab center moving into your neighborhood for the good of all involved?
Should Judicial System Work for All?
Today’s Waco Tribune Herald ran a story on a DWI case which was not pursued against Richard Ferguson, a candidate for Waco’s 10th Court of Appeals. Being a savvy attorney, Ferguson worked the system by not submitting to a field sobriety test and breath sample thereby making the case about his word versus the police officer.
So the question I ask today is: Does our judicial system work for everyone regardless of race, status, or prestige?
Since many of our laws written are based on biblical principles, one would think that it should because God is no respecter of persons, right? From a moral standpoint, God created laws in order to make sure all received equal treatment.
My personal convictions tell me that all should be treated the same.
Job 31:15 makes this clear when stating:
Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?If God made both rich and poor, then under our judicial system all should be treated equal. How many times have we seen celebrities be given preferential treatment? I believe it should not be this way. God created us all equal and we should be treated the same way. A person who does not have the means to hire the best representation should be given the same opportunity as one who has the means to hire the best attorney! What are your thoughts?
Can We Talk?????
Should you take into consideration a candidate’s religious beliefs before voting for that person? If a prosecuted and professed pedophile accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, should we we hold his or her past against them? And what about churches? Should they accept gays into their communities, love the sinner while at the same time stay committed to preaching against the lifestyle? One more question for thought- if I am truly a born again believer in the teachings of Christ, should not my daily lifestyle reflect his biblical teachings?
I hope you get the gist of what my blog will be about-what does the Bible have to say on a subject, what are our beliefs, and do they line up with scripture? I hope you will join me as I share my thoughts on the daily happenings in our society and what the Bible has to say about these topics.I will be taking a news story either out of the Waco Trib or from other news sources and creating a dialogue blog that hopefully will help us all think about why we believe the way we do and if our beliefs have a scriptural foundation or not?
So let’s get busy! Since we’ve just kicked off the race for the White House, let’s chat about my first question:
Psalms 33:12 says: “Blessed is the nation who’s God is the Lord,the people he has chosen as his inheritance. To me, this verse speaks to the heart of why we must be the “IN GOD WE TRUST” nation. Go back and read our nation’s constitution and you will find numerous examples of how our nation was founded upon biblical principles. In my opinion, our beautiful country was founded on a belief in God, ethics and values. Each candidate running for President has the potential of setting the moral compass of the entire country so I want to know what beliefs sets his compass. A person’s belief system is a part of him or her and a part of their core beliefs and those beliefs would impact how they might lead our nation. So you bet I believe that a candidate’s religious beliefs matter! What about you?????
