ALCOHOL - IS IT DRIVING A WEDGE BETWEEN US?

QUOTES AND MORE:

“Whereas, Drinking alcoholic beverages continues to be the number one drug problem in America, bringing misery to millions; and…Whereas, The American culture is thoroughly saturated with a take-a-drink mentality; and Whereas the use of the drug alcohol as a chemical crutch is harmful and unnecessary in light of the spiritual resources available to all people through Jesus Christ; be it resolved…that we call on our churches to teach vigorously the danger of the drug alcohol in order to create a climate which will lead people to reject the use of alcoholic beverages." (Resolution - SBC, 1975)

“My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health.” (General Robert E Lee)

“When will the terrific reign of alcohol cease?” (JL Dagg)


ALCOHOL - IS IT DRIVING A WEDGE BETWEEN US?

A vocal minority of bloggers is claiming that when our leaders speak to the important issue of alcohol they are driving a wedge between fellow conservatives. Yet, it is not our leaders who are using words like “man-made rules,” “conspiracy,” “legalist,” “political games,” and “ultra-Fundamentalist” to describe those who differ. It is this vocal minority.

When confronted with the meaning of legalism they break into a Texas Two-Step. In defending their accusation of political maneuvering (blackballing those who disagree), they become great believers in the “conspiracy theory,” (with as much evidence as those who claim Elvis is alive). When asked if the term “man-made rules” also applies to other barbiturates, and slavery, there is an awkward and eerie silence.

Ironically, a few moderationists claim the leaders want to suppress discussion on important issues, but when there comes a small contingency of abstentionists to discuss THIS issue on Blogs…well…that is just rude, unhealthy, and should cease. “Let us speak against the resolution and Blog about how wrong it is. But don’t respond to our comments through your Blogs,” seems to be the mantra of these few.

Some of them desire that we give the “Holy Spirit the freedom to convict us of our actions,” unless of course, those actions include blogging our position on abstinence. Then, apparently, we are not to listen, for that inner conviction came from the all-powerful leaders of the convention rather than the Holy Spirit.

In fact, that accusation of being a pawn to the powers of the convention has been laid at my feet. Further, I have been accused of trying to force man-made rules on others, of being a legalist, of causing division, and being closed-minded. Goodness. What has caused such outrageous assertions? Have I accused them of being liberal? No. Have I said they were anathema to me? No. Have I asked them to leave the convention? No. It appears the firestorm of accusations have come because I dared to speak for abstinence.

Now, to be fair, I think it is a small number of moderationists who are typing with such shrill fingers (and perhaps some abstentionists too). I have come to believe that one of the problems some of our leaders see in Blogs is: Blogs lack the human touch, and therefore some take a general statement (like I have made above) and personalize it. This has caused moderationists and abstentionists alike to claim they have never heard such unChristlike words and illogical reasoning. I have come to realize that many with whom I disagree are not demons; rather they are brothers in Christ. And their comments may not be hateful language at all. In fact, they may find it difficult to express their thoughts, or they may be having a bad day, or I may be reading in something that was not intended. May we all be better at giving others the benefit of the doubt.

On the matter of abstention, some legitimately believe the Bible is not clear, others believe it is quite clear. I am convinced that the principles in Scripture reveal that the use of mind-altering drugs (including alcohol), slavery, suicide, and cloning are all wrong (although they are not condemned). Why is it so wrong for me to state and defend that? Where was this outcry of man-made rules when the SBC passed a resolution asking forgiveness for our past support of the sin of slavery, or when we decried the use of other mind-altering drugs, or stated our opposition to cloning?

Further, we never heard this outcry against abstention until this year (and that by a 10% minority). It is not the abstentionists creating this stir! We stand where SB have always stood.

Why is this minority not denouncing D.L. Moody, Billy Sunday and George Whitefield (not to mention Adrian Rogers and W.A. Criswell) for holding to man-made rules by preaching abstention? (It is interesting that God used many of these men and their preaching to bring Awakenings to His children.)

Finally, there is a belief by some that the Biblical position of abstinence causes me to look down my nose at those who do not affirm it. How LUDICROUS. Has not Christ said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” I preach on gluttony, but that does not mean I feel I am superior to those who have weight troubles because of it. In fact, if we were to cast stones, please direct them here…for I am chief of sinners and know it. Were my private sins to be named, the false accusations that have been made would pale in comparison. I certainly fail daily to achieve holiness as Christ is holy, but that does not remove my responsibility from saying “Here is what Scripture teaches.”

My intent has never been to try and divide brethren (God forbid), or to convince those, who will not be convinced of the Bible’s position on abstinence. Rather, my intent is to stand on what I believe the Bible teaches about mind-altering drugs, and to provide those who are questioning the Biblical position on alcohol with an alternate voice to the sheer volume of moderation voices in the Blog world.

It is most interesting, that some moderationists are asking me to silence my voice simply because I show where SB have always stood on this issue, I dare to research how our current leadership stands, I post medical studies, and I give and defend my position. Most Interesting Indeed.

BR

Monday, we will have our next article in our study, posted:)