E-MAIL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
DAVID L. ODOM
I would like to respond to the following teaching:
>Here's another example. A common practice in
many churches, left over from the >Prohibition era, is to require total
abstinence from alcohol. Again, that may be wise in >many cases, but the Bible
instructs against strong drink and drunkenness and teaches
>us to do all things in moderation. The major biblical concern is not the
alcohol, but >whether we're being a stumbling block to a weaker brother.
Total abstinence may >actually keep some from the medicine they need or it
may be detrimental when relating >to a weaker brother.
>The point is that we can easily distort the true Word of God by adding our
own traditional >practices and making them equal with the original intent of
God. We may need to stand >against pharisaic practices as the Lord
did--before we find ourselves in
>bondage to man-made traditions.
Notice that _____ tells us that 'total abstinence
from alcohol' is something left over from the Prohibition era. He says that the
Bible teaches us to do all things in 'moderation' He further tells us that the
'major biblical concern is not the alcohol' He then suggests that 'total
abstinence' may keep some from getting medicine!
First, I want you to notice how many Scriptures _____ uses in these 'reasonings'
of his! Beware of men when they 'reason' you into a system of belief that you
can't find any Scripture for!
But what about the MANY passages of Scripture which tell us to remain 'sober';
that is, free from the influence of intoxicants 'NEPHO', used metaphorically:
(I Thessalonians 5:6,8; I Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8) 'Expository Dictionary of New
Testament Words' W. E. Vine.
Question; How can we be 'sober' while at the same time putting a drug into our
brain, for our own pleasure, that causes us to 'lose' the very attitude that
our Creator wants us to have? Can you see through his reasoning? Should God's
children be messing with any kind of drug that takes away from us the ability
to keep as much control of our lives as we possibly can? And I believe we can
all see through the cloud of trying to mix 'medicinal drug' activities with
drugs for 'pleasure' (social drinking).
One last Scripture to study on this: I Peter 4:3; notice three words used
here:
1. Winebibbings (drunkenness): "Excess of wine, riotous conduct.(drunkard)"
2. Revellings (orgies): "Intoxicated, (live wire)"
3. Carousings (drinking parties): "A drinking, (to tipple,
repeatedly, in small quantities)"
That third one sure sounds like 'social drinking' to me! Let's stay SOBER in
mind, body, and spirit for the Lord, He is coming back you know, and He could
appear at any time! Let's be ready for Him! Don't mess with any 'social' drugs!
Now, is this really a 'Pharisaic practice' as Neil would have us to believe?
Your servant in Christ, David
