Wine! Its In The Bible

by Stan Schirmacher 

 

Only eternity will reveal how many people have been misled by their ignorance and misunderstanding of the word “wine” in the Bible! Unbelievers and drinkers have wielded a whip tipped with scriptures and Christians have allowed the whip to continue to snap, because they don’t know how to clip the point – not understanding that the message is against liquor, not for it! 

 

Take Christ’s first miracle, the turning of water into “wine” (John 2:1-10). What a well-worn whip that has proven to be! But listen, Christian, to the truth of the point: Many different Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic words or vocables used in the Bible have been indiscriminately translated as “wine” or “strong drink”. In other words, in some cases the word ”wine” in the Bible means a non-intoxicant, or a food! Fresh grape juice, to make it keep without fermentation, was boiled until it became thick like molasses, and in that form was stored away in large jars for future use, to he eaten spread upon bread, or to be mixed and stirred up in water to make a drink. 

 

Read John 2:9-10. “The governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” The Roman writer Pliny records that when grape juice was boiled down to one third of its hulk to secure the finest flavor, it was called ‘Sapa” (the “best wine’). So, you see, the “tip of the whip” is but a “slip of the lip,” for Jesus produced a non-intoxicating, unfermented wine!

 

Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Here the preserved grape juice, sometimes called “sweet wine” in the Bible, was mixed with milk! 

Here’s another “whip”. “For thy stomachs sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Tim. 5:23)! And here’s the tip clipped off: “Stomach wine” or “wine for the stomach” according to the writers of old Greek medicine, was a grape juice prepared as a thick, unfermented syrup for use as a food for dyspeptic and weak persons! Pliny, who lived in the apostolic age, wrote, “The beverage is given to invalids to whom it is apprehended that wine may prove injurious!” 

 

You see, it is no more true to say that the word “wine” always meant intoxicating wine than it is to say that the word “bread” always meant fermented (leavened) bread! The word ‘oinos” (wine) was sometimes used to describe the grape juice when it was fermented, and sometimes when it was unfermented! In Haggai 1:11 we read, “I called for a drought …upon the corn, and upon the new wine!” It is clear that the word “wine” in this case means the growing grapes, for if the wine had been in the skin bottles, the drought would have had no effect upon it! This translation, like many others, is misleading! Instead of saying “new wine,” it should say “vine fruit” (thirosh). 

 

Let Luke 5:37-38 show you how the word “wine” is used: “No one puts new wine [fresh grape juice] into old wine-skins; otherwise the new wine [grape juice] will [spoil and] burst the skins, and the fermented wine will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine [juice] must be put into fresh [unused] wine-skins” and both will he unfermented and preserved!

 

And Isaiah 65:8 says, “As the new wine is found in the cluster,” “Wine,” you see, also means grape juice, and not only in the Bible; for Varro speaks of “hanging wine” (grapes on the vine); Catro, of “hanging wine”;  Columella. of “unintoxicating, good wine.” Ovid says, “And scarce can the grapes contain the wine they have within. Ibycus says, “And the new born clusters teem with wine, beneath the shadowy foliage of the vine.” Goethe beautifully says, “And bending down, the grapes o’erflow with wine into the vat below.”

 

But look, withal the ignorance of the various meanings of the word “wine,” too many persons are guilty of using that misleading word where the Lord didn’t even use it! The word “wine” (oinos) is used in none of the four passages that give account of the Lord’s Supper ) Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:15-20, and 1 Cor. 11:23-26). The word that is actually used is translated “fruit of the vine.” 

 

Here’s the harm that that particular incorrect usage has done. “All the Sahib’s servants in Calcutta are ‘Christian’ now,” said Mr. Bayard Taylor’s native attendant to him during his travels in India. “I did not know our religion had spread so much in India,” the American answered. “Oh, yes it has,” was the reply. “for they all drink brandy!” (The names “Christian” and “drunkard” are held in the popular mind of Asia to have the same meaning, all because “wine” was incorrectly substituted for “fruit of the vine”!)

 

So watch out for that word and be armed with the shears of truth. “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15).

 

Bibliography: The Bible and Wine, Loizeaox Bros., Publishers. 


This tract is intended to strengthen the believer by pointing out the truths contained in his handbook, the Bible. But we would think that we had failed if we produced a world of total abstainers, but left them all unbelievers; so here are some more truths:

 

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt he saved’ (Romans 10:9). Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved’ (John 10:9).

 

     ‘There is a Door – and only One, 
     Yet its sides are two:
     inside and outside;
     On which side are you?’


What about where the Bible says “give strong drink”?

 

“Give strong drink unto him that, is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more” (Prov. 3 1:6-7). 

 

This quotation is the write-up of Solomon’s mother, telling of the Jewish custom based on the old legal practice of giving a stupefying drink to condemned prisoners when they were going to execution. It was regarded as a means of tempering justice with mercy. We have a carry-over of that in the United States: Before a prisoner “walks the last mile’ he chooses his own menu. It usually consists of ice cream or strawberry shortcake, something to revive his drooping spirits for the last, woeful moments. King Lemuel (pet name for Solomonóused by his mother), is asked to abstain from strong drink. Jesus, you will recall, was offered this legal strong drink as He was ready to perish: but, of course, He refused it. Scientifically (not religiously), you see, such a drink eases the struggle. ó S. S. and Sanden’s Scripture-Science Information Service. (Read Prov. 31:4-54)


This tract is available in print from:
Osterhus Publishing House, 4500W. Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55422

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Wine in the Bible: A Biblical Study on the Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Samuel Bacchiocchi




What The Bible Teaches About
Rewards For & Judgment Of Believers

 

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
[Genesis 15:1]

Introduction

 

So, just what exactly does the Bible teach about rewards for believers in heaven? There are two major schools of thought on this subject. One teaches that believers will receive some kind of physical rewards (literal crowns) in heaven based on their works done as Christians. The second school of thought teaches that the heavenly reward of believers is salvation alone, eternal life alone. Based on a comparison of scripture with scripture, the author leans towards the second opinion. However, this study does not conclusively prove the second opinion.

 

How are rewards described in scripture?

 

The Bible calls our reward an inheritance and it calls believers joint-heirs with Christ:

 

Col 3:23-24 – “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

 

Hebrews 1:1-2 – “1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

 

Romans 8:17 – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

 

Romans 8:32 – “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

 

 

So what do we inherit?

 

We inherit all things. Specifically, we inherit God Almighty and the privilege of fellowshipping with Him for all eternity:

 

Genesis 15:1 – “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

 

Matthew 19:29 – “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

 

1John 2:25 – “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”

 
 

What are the crowns the Bible speaks of?

 

Many people refer to the scriptures that mention ‘crowns’ when they speak of the rewards that believers are to receive in heaven. Here are the verses that speak of the types of crowns believers possess or will possess:

 

1Corinthians 9:25 – “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

 

1Thessalonians 2:19a – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing

 

Timothy 4:8 – “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

 

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

 

1Peter 5:4 – “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

 

Revelation 2:10 – “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

 

Revelation 4:4 – “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

 

 

As we can see from the above verses, the crowns are of these types or characteristics: 

  1. Glory (1Peter 5:4)
  2. Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
  3. Life (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10)
  4. Incorruptible (1 Corinthians 9:25)
  5. Gold (Revelation 4:4)

 

The crown of glory:

 

1Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

 

Isaiah 28:5 – “In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people”

 

The above verse indicates that it is the Lord who is the believer’s crown of glory. Now is this the same crown of glory mentioned in 1 Peter 5:4?

 
 

The crown of rejoicing:

 

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul refers to the Thessalonian believers as his crown of rejoicing.

 

1Thessalonians 2:19-20 – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”

 

The crown of life:

 

Revelation 2:10 – “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

 

 

Who is faithful unto death?

 

Those who have faith – the redeemed of the Lord, because their faith is in Christ and His completed work of salvation.

 

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

 

 

Who is it that endures temptation?

 

Those who can say “greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world” (1John 4:4). If a crown of life is a reward that believers receive, a reward relating to life, we must ask the question “What reward, relating to life, do believers receive?” Some verses that may shed light on this question include:

 

John 11:25 – ” Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”

 

Luke 18:28-30 – “28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

 

1John 5:12 – “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

 

 

Is eternal life the crown of life? It appears to be the case.

 
 

The incorruptible crown:

 

1Cointhians 9:25 – “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

 

 

What incorruptible rewards do we find mentioned in the Bible? Our glorified bodies will be incorruptible:

 

1Corinthians 15:52 – “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

 

1Peter 1:4 – “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”

 

1Peter 1:23 – “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

 

 

The crown of gold:

 

Revelation 4:4 – “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”

 

 

True Christians possess a crown

 

Besides Revelation 4:4, there is one other place in the Bible that mentions a crown of gold that believers possess:

 

Psalm 21:1-5 – “1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. 3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.”

 

 

We know that we receive honour and majesty when God saves us from verse 5 above and from these verses in the book of Revelation:

 

Revelation 1:6 – “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

Revelation 5:10 – “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

 

 

The high priest wore a crown

 

We know from the book of Exodus, that the high priest in the tabernacle wore a gold crown:

 

Exodus 39:30 – “And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

 

 

We also know that Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 6:20, 7:26, 8:1, 9:11, 10:21). These verses seem to be indicating that the crown of gold may represent salvation or the majesty and authority that we have positionally in Christ when we receive salvation (as noted above in Psalm 21:5).

 
 

What about the crowns the elders cast before God’s throne?

 

Revelation 4:10-11 “10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

 

The casting of the crowns before the throne may possibly represent the saints acknowledging that any glory that they have is from Christ and that He alone is their glory.

 
 

WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO GIVE TO GOD THAT HE DID NOT PROVIDE (1 Cor 4:7)…

 

1Corinthians 4:7 ” For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

 

Are there special rewards for suffering for Christ?

 

This verse seems to indicate that there will be rewards for suffering for Christ:

 

2Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

 

 

But we must ask ourselves: “Do not all believers suffer for Christ?” …

 

2Timothy 3:12 – “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

 

 

Now we cannot say that not all believers “live godly in Christ”. If you have a faith that does not produce any works, any godliness, then you are not IN CHRIST. (see James 2:18&26, Acts 26:20).

 
 

What treasures are we to store up for ourselves in heaven?

 

Matthew 6:19-20 – “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal”

 

2Corinthians 4:6-7 – ” 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

 

 

Is God (the Holy Spirit) the treasure in earthen vessels? What is the “light” mentioned in verse 6? Is it Christ or is it the Gospel or perhaps something else? Several verses in scripture say that Jesus is “light”:

 

John 8:12 – “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

 

John 9:5 – “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

 

John 12:46 – “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

 

 

This verse says that believers are “lights”:

 

Matthew 5:14 – “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

 

 

What makes a believer a light? Surely nothing in and of themselves…

 

Colossians 1:27 – “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”

 

Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

 

 

So it would seem that Christ in you is that light and that treasure in earthen vessels.

 

What are the wages that the Bible is talking about in John chapter 4:

 

John 4:35-36 – “35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

 

Matthew 20:9-10 – “9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.”

 

 

According to Matthew 20 above, all believers receive the same wages – life everlasting:

 

Galatians 6:8 – “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

 

Psalm 126:6 – “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

 

 

Are not the sheaves, the believers whom God saves through our seed sowing? …

 

Matthew 13:37-40 – “37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”

 

 

What kind of attitude should we have about serving God?

 

We should realize that it is our duty to serve our Lord and God who alone is worthy of total obedience and uncompromising service:

 

Revelation 5:12 – “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

 

Luke 17:9-10 – “9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

 

 

We should also realize that we are no better than our other brothers and sisters in Christ. God may have gifted us more than others in some areas but we are all members of one body:

 

Romans 12:3 – “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

 

 

What happens when people focus on rewards instead of on Christ?

 

People who focus on rewards more than or instead of Christ, may not be saved. True Christians are to be content in all things (Php 4:11, 1 Tim 6:6).

 

Matthew 20:10-15 – “10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”

 

Matthew 18:1-4 – “1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Mark 10:35-45 – “35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

 

 

What does it mean to be ruler over many things?

 

Matthew 25:21 – “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

 

 

Some interpret the above phrase “I will make thee ruler over many things” to refer to ruling in heaven since the parable seems to be painting a picture of something that happens in the future when a person performs well in this life. Though I cannot conclusively prove it, I believe that the phrase “I will make thee ruler over many things” refers to the sanctification of believers, in this present life. When we are unsaved, sin reigns over us and preoccupies us, in fact it consumes us – permeating every aspect of our spiritually dead, sin-cursed bodies and minds. See John 8:34, Rom 7:5, 23, 1 Cor 6:12, Gal 5:17 as well as:

 

Romans 6:16-19 – “16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”

 

 

To grow and mature in Christ, we must grow in our knowledge of His Word and His will. This means that we will develop, by the grace of God, an increased awareness and sensitivity to sin, to the things that displease the Lord, as we study the Bible and put it into practice. So as time goes on, each and every true believer should be delivered from the habits of the old way of life and begin to reign over those habits rather than those habits controlling the believer:

 

Romans 6:12-14 – “12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

 

 

So the statement “I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” relates to the joy that every believer enters into when they become saved – the joy they have in ruling over sin in their lives, sin that in the past ruled over them. They will be transformed, by the renewing of their mind (Rom 12:2), into people who no longer think that it is an abomination to depart from evil (Prov 13:19). Instead, they will have the attitude of the psalmist when he wrote:

 

Psalm 40:8 – “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

 
 

What rewards can we expect in this life and in the life to come?

 

We can expect God to give us many brothers and sisters in Christ to make up for the members of our families who forsake us because of our faith in Christ. And we can expect to receive eternal life in glory with the Lord in the life to come:

 

Mark 10:30 – “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

 

 

Did Paul preach the Gospel for rewards or out of necessity?

 

1 Corinthians 9:16-18 – “16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”

 

 

What should be our motivation for serving Christ?

Should we serve Christ for rewards? For fear of punishment? Or out of love? The Bible says our motivation should be love:

 

Romans 6:17-18 – “17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

 

1John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

 

John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

 

Psalm 119:127 – “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”

 

 

If we serve Christ out of love, should it be a love of rewards or a love of Christ?

But what about the judgment seat of Christ?

 

Romans 14:10 – “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

 

 

Let’s look at the above verse in context and determine exactly what is being said:

 

Romans 14:10-14 – “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

 

 

Verse 13 indicates that passage is focusing on being judgmental towards other believers with respect to things about which there is Christian liberty. But at the same time, we should be sure that in our Christian liberty, we are not causing a brother to stumble (see also verses 15-21 in Romans 14).

What about 2 Corinthians 5:10? That speaks of a judgment seat:

 

2Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

 

 

We need to look at that in context also. What does the very next verse say?

 

2Corianthians 5:11 – “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”

 

 

Verse 11 would seem to indicate that believers need to recognize that the unsaved are under the terrible wrath of God, which will be poured out on the lost on Judgment Day, so for that reason, believers are to persuade men to repent. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:10, as in every epistle that he wrote, was talking to the corporate church, consisting of believers and some who might not have been believers. So when he said “that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”, we must realize that only believers can do that which is good – works of true righteousness. The unsaved produce works that God calls filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). So when true believers appear before the judgment seat of Christ, they will appear justified:

 

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

 

 

Aren’t believers the ones who will do the judging and not the ones who are being judged?

 

1Cor 6:3 – “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

 

 

Doesn’t the Bible say that God remembers our sins no more?

 

Hebrews 8:12 – “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

 

Hebrews 10:17 – “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

 

 

Taking into consideration the above verses, how can we say that believers will be judged at some future judgment, even if it is just a judgment for rewards?

Doesn’t the Bible say that there is nothing that God could condemn us for doing or not doing?

 

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

 

John 3:18 – “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

 

John 5:24 – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

 

 

When believers sin and fail to repent, God chastens them (in this life) so that they will repent. He does not keep score until Judgment Day:

 

1Corinthians 11:32 – “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

 

 

Conclusion

 

Any theology that causes us to focus on what we can get from God rather than what we can and should do for God is not from God. Besides, what can God give to His people that can compare with the gift of His Son? But you may have been told “We don’t desire crowns or rewards for ourselves, but that we may give them back to Christ, laying them at His feet” as in Revelation 4:10. That passage is certainly a picture of the fact that everything we have is from God.

 

I don’t know about you, but for me Jesus is all the reward I need and all the reward I want when I get to heaven. It would be an insult to Him to expect anything more, especially since Christ is incomparably more glorious and exceedingly more desirable than anything else on earth or in heaven:

 

Psa 73: 25-26 – “25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”

 

 

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
[Ephesians 3:8]

 





The Christian And The Film Arts

by Herman Hanko

Introduction

The problem of the film arts, as we treat it in this pamphlet, is somewhat more broad than the title itself would suggest. Usually the subject is limited to various dramatic presentations captured on film and shown in the theaters around the country. However, in our treatment of this subject we wish also to include the dramatic presentations which are given “live” on stages, whether that be on Broadway or on the stages of our local High Schools and Colleges. Further, we include in this discussion the dramatic presentations which come into our homes via the television sets which have become such a large part of our life.

The Problem of Drama

It is especially this later which has become a very real problem in the lives of the people of God. Generally speaking, within our denomination, our parents frown upon theater attendance and prohibit their children from attending movies. But our children and young people are often puzzled and angry about the fact that while parents condemn theater attendance, the same movies which are shown in the theaters are piped into the homes via television and are watched assiduously by the same parents who refuse to let their children go to “shows”. Our young people complain about this to their ministers and teachers and, sometimes, to their parents. They are offended, and rightly so, for they put their fingers on a strange inconsistency in our lives. Paul writes to the Church in Ephesus: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4. Surely, though among others things, the apostle means by this that parents provoke their children to wrath when they insist that their children observe various principles of Christian conduct which they themselves openly flaunt. Parents seriously compromise their own principles and the spiritual well-being of their families when they do this.

Related Problems

From another point of view, however, the subject is broader than the title would seem to suggest because it involves various related questions. It involves, e.g., the very important question of ungodly propaganda; for the film arts are a mighty instrument for propaganda whether we are always conscious of this or not. And the question involves the place of entertainment in the lives of the people of God. Is there a legitimate place for entertainment in our lives? And, if so, what?

The Christian Reformed decisions

To my knowledge, the Christian Reformed Church is the only denomination which has faced this problem of the film arts on a Synodical level and has come to some specific and definite conclusions about the matter. To get at this whole problem, it is valuable to consult these decisions and investigate what this denomination has said on the problem.

In 1928 the Christian Reformed Church made various decisions concerning the well-known trio of worldly amusements: theater attendance, card playing, and dancing. All three were condemned by that Synod because the Synod considered these worldly amusements to be incompatible with the life of the Christian in the midst of the world. With specific reference to theater attendance, the Synod gave four reasons why this form of amusement was wrong.

(1) Attendance at theaters may cause a brother to stumble.

(2) No one knows whether a play or movie is good or bad until he has seen it. And, if it is bad, the damage is done.

(3) Some so-called good movies are worse than the bad ones.

(4) Occasional theater attendance may develop in a person a taste for movies with the result that the Christian may become movie-addicted.

It is interesting to notice, concerning these grounds, that the Synod of 1928 put the whole matter of theater attendance and the film arts in the area of Christian liberty. That is apparent already in the first ground: Attendance may cause a brother to stumble. This is, of course, the area of Christian liberty. Cf. e.g., Romans 12. But by doing this the Synod implied that the film arts are not per se wrong. The wrong lies not in theater attendance itself; the wrong lies in its misuse. It is true that the Synod suggested that it is almost impossible to use the film arts rightly, and that therefore, it is better if people do not attend movies at all. But the fact remains that the film arts were not condemned as wrong in themselves. The dangers of their use were emphasized.

It is not strange therefore, that this decision did not really settle the matter. Periodically, over the course of the years, overtures came to the Synod to reconsider this matter. Almost always, the Synod refused such requests and reaffirmed the decisions which had been taken in 1928. But in 1965 again an overture came to Synod asking once more that the decisions of 1928 be reconsidered. The ground offered for this request was that the decision of 1928 was unworkable and was, as a matter of fact, being openly and widely flaunted.

A committee was appointed to study the matter. The committee confirmed the findings of the overture by means of a denomination-wide poll and discovered, rather to its chagrin, that the majority of the membership had at one time or was at the present attending movies. The committee drew up a very lengthy report on the subject and presented it to the Synod of 1966. This report was adopted with only minor changes.

The basic position of the committee was that the film arts were not per-se wrong and that it is permissible for the Christian to attend good movies. In fact, the committee considered it desirable to attend good movies and urged upon the Churches to busy themselves in subjecting the film arts to the dominion and rule of Jesus Christ. There were especially three arguments which were used to support these contentions.

(1) The principle was established that entertainment, amusement and recreation are permissible in the life of a Christian.

(2) The position was taken, not surprisingly, that it is not at all strange that the ungodly world is capable of producing good movies because of the general operation of the Spirit in the hearts of the ungodly by which sin is restrained and the world enabled to do good. The obvious reference is, of course, to the second and the third point of common grace adopted by the Synod of 1924.

(3) The assertion was made that along with newspapers, radio, television, newsmagazines, art, etc., the film arts are a legitimate “cultural medium”. This means that culture, good culture, culture pleasing to God, in the broadest possible meaning of that term can be conveyed to people via the medium of the film arts.

For the moment, I wish to focus attention on the third ground. It is clear that at this very crucial point in the argument the committee is guilty of a very serious logical error. This error is, first of all (and this becomes very clear if the report is read), that the committee lumped together all the different kinds of the film arts. It spoke of travelogues, educational films, home movies which parents shoot on their 8mm cameras of their children in the backyard swimming pool and dramatic presentations as being the same, and described them as legitimate cultural media. In the second place, the committee simply asserted the fact that such movies are legitimate cultural media without offering any proof for this. But this is precisely the point that needs proving. At the very heart of the argument no proof of any kind was offered.

Grounds for condemning the movie

This puts the whole question into sharp focus. On what grounds are movies to be condemned? If they are condemned at all. Are they to be condemned because there are practical objections against theater attendance and because not all movies are good? If these are the only grounds, then the decision of the Synod of 1928 is acceptable and sufficient. Probably that Synod stated the case against movies from a practical point of view as well as it can be stated. But if there are only practical objections against theater attendance, then the door is left open. There are good movies. Why cannot they be seen by the Christian? Is it not possible to make use of good movies and is it not possible that the life of the child of God will be enriched by such movies?

I shall not enter into the practical objections against movies in this pamphlet. The best discussion of this subject is still to be found in the pamphlet “The Movie” published by the Sunday School of the First Protestant Reformed Church and is available from them. It describes in vivid detail the terrible sins portrayed in the film art.

The question which is of concern to us is: Is there not a deeper objection against movies? An objection which condemns them out of hand?

Before we answer this, we must make a careful distinction between different kinds of the film arts. In one class must be placed home movies which record delightful experiences in the life of a family, educational films, travelogues, etc. In another class must be placed all movies which are dramatic presentations. It is bad logic to lump all movies together into one class. To the first class we have no objections. It is with the second class that we have our quarrel. But when the second class is defined in terms of dramatic presentations, it must be remembered that this class also includes dramatic presentations which appear on the television screens in our living rooms and family rooms, the dramatic presentations offered on Broadway and on the platform of the local High Schools and Colleges, dramatic presentations in whatever form they come.

Is Drama per se wrong?

Is it possible to take the position that drama is, per se, wrong? It is my conviction that it is. This is not a conviction to which I have come in the course of preparing this pamphlet. It is a conviction which I have held already when a youth when we used to argue these questions with all the fervency of youthful interest. It is a conviction that had to stand the battering of long hours of disputation and debate. And it is a conviction which has grown stronger with the years.

Drama is sin. It is a sin in the sight of God. It is a terrible sin which brings down upon those who engage in it God’s severe judgment. This judgment comes not only at the end of life and at the end of the ages when all men stand before the judgment seat of Christ. But it is a sin which brings God’s judgment already in this life to the one who commits it. It is a sin which God will not permit to go unpunished.

What is the argument?

Drama is, by definition, the presentation of the life of another person, whether real or fictitious, by the assumption of that person’s personality for purposes of entertainment. The key point here is that drama is possible only by assuming another’s personality. Any textbook on drama will emphasize this. The “gifted” actor is the person who is able to suppress completely his own personality and assume the personality of another. The more he is able to do this, the better actor he is. He must, to be successful, assume to himself all the thoughts, all the desires, all the emotions, all the feelings of the person whose role he plays. He must, as much as he can, make himself that person. He must make himself feel as that person feels, think as that person thinks. He must, so to speak, crawl behind the skin of that man and get into his bones and marrow to lay hold of that person in the very depths of his being. He must put himself deeply inside that person so that he looks through the person’s eyes, down that person’s nose, and experiences all that that person feels and thinks.

Assume another’s personality?

This is a sin. It is a sin to do this. A man may not assume the personality of another. This is wrong, in the first place, because the person in man is that part of him which is God-created in a special sense. We often make a distinction between body and soul. We say then that the body comes from the parents, while soul comes from God. While we need not go into this matter in any detail, this distinction is incorrect. It is better to use the distinction between person and nature. And then we may say that our natures come from our parents, while our persons are directly created by God. This follows, after all, the analogy of the Lord Jesus Who received His human nature from Mary while His person was the Second Person of the holy trinity.

But, if this is true, then the person is that part of the individual which has the direct stamp of God upon it and which sets a man apart from every other person who has ever lived. This stamp is put by God according to God’s purpose and in order that God’s intent may be accomplished in him. He stands alone in life as unique, marked by God Himself. This is clear from identical twins. Twins may be so similar in physical appearance that it is impossible even for their teachers and ministers to tell them apart. But a mother can always tell the one from the other because she knows these twins intimately and sees the vast differences in their “personality” though their physical appearance may be identical.

But because every person is created by God, we do violence to our person when we push it aside in order to assume the personality of another. We deny our God-given person to assume the personality of someone else.

In the second place, the sin of this can be demonstrated by means of another consideration. All will have to agree that in assuming another personality there are only two possibilities. The one possibility is that of assuming the personality of a sinner. But if an actor assumes the personality of a sinner, he must, in the nature of the case, assume all that person’s sin. He must think his evil thoughts, experience his evil emotions, will his evil desires, speak his evil words, and do his evil deeds. He must assume all those sins and make them his own in a very deep and intense way.

The other possibility is to assume the personality of a saint. The only One Who lived a sinless life was, of course, the Lord Jesus. And in various passion plays, attempts are made to dramatize Christ Himself. It would seem that this is dramatic presentation at its best and highest. But can any child of God, sensitive in even a little way to the profound mystery of the incarnation -God become flesh to dwell among us – fail to recognize this as the grossest blasphemy? How can a mere man portray dramatically the suffering of the eternal Son of God?

But there have been saints in the world; and one may ask whether it is ethically right to portray the life of a saint. We may use the illustration of Martin Luther who himself describes for us the long and profound struggle to attain peace with God. But here too, one immediately senses that this may not be done. Luther’s struggle was so holy, so profoundly sacred, so intensely personal a matter between him and his God, that for an actor to attempt to make these experiences his own becomes a presumptuous intrusion on holy ground where angels tremble to stand. To enact (and that for purposes of entertainment) the trembling fear of Luther before a holy God, to present dramatically the spiritual conquest of Luther’s heart by sovereign grace is a wicked parody of that which is most sacred.

The judgment of God rests upon sins of this sort. We have only to look upon the lives of those who have devoted themselves to such a career. Their personalities are destroyed and the psycho-analysts do a multi-million dollar business in trying to help these confused, mixed-up, wretched people live even a semblance of a normal life. They have destroyed themselves in the depths of their being, and God’s judgment is upon them. They sink deeper and deeper into the morass of sin from which there is no escape except in death. For the Christian, this all belongs to the Babylon of Revelation 17 and 18 which shall be destroyed.

The Jewel of Consistency

But it must be clearly understood that a condemnation of dramatic presentation must be consistent. It is wrong in the films that are produced for showing in the local theaters. But it is no less wrong in the movies that are shown on our television screens and in the plays offered live on the stage. Would to God that we would once and for all condemn these things completely and without compromise. We would surely no longer be an offense to our young people and a stumbling block to them in their lives. This is a terrible thing when covenant parents, entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the feet of their children in the paths of righteousness, set snare for their feet by watching on television what they condemn in the theater. I must admit that, on this question, I am on the side of our young people who are puzzled and confused by such conduct. It is our calling to root it out of our lives.

Film Arts as Propaganda

The film arts are also a mighty engine of propaganda. I do not think it is possible for the world to improve on the film arts as an instrument of ungodly instruction.

God has created man with various doors that open to his soul. There are five such doors: the five senses. Of these five senses, the eyes and the ears are the most important. Most of our impressions enter our souls through these doors not only; but the impressions which enter these doors make the deepest and most lasting marks upon us. If the doors of the eyes and the ears are closed through deafness and blindness, a man is almost 90% cut off from the world about him and from contact with his fellow men. The film arts present their material to our souls through these two doors and are the most potent forces for propaganda which can be invented.

The world itself recognizes the power of this and is sometimes critical of it. Very recently I read an article in the Grand Rapids Press in which an unbeliever fiercely condemned these so-called innocent children’s cartoons. He pointed out, as one illustration, that he had watched them all over a long period of time and kept careful statistics of what was shown in them. He discovered that in them almost 70% of what was shown dealt with violence in one form or another. He decried this and spoke eloquently of the harm we were doing our children by permitting them to watch this stuff. It is embarrassing. The world shouts on occasion: “Do not watch this stuff, it is doing you harm!” The people of God say: “What is so bad about it? It is innocent enough entertainment for the children.”

The assumption here is that all that the world produces is evil. We take issue here with the second ground of the committee of 1965 and with the Synodical decisions of 1966. It is not necessary to enter into a lengthy debate on the subject of common grace. It is sufficient to assert, for our purposes, that the Scriptures teach the total depravity of the natural man. Man apart from grace does nothing pleasing in God’s sight.

But this negative truth can be positively stated in this way. The unregenerated man does only evil and lives his whole life out of the principle of rebellion against God. He is not neutral doing neither good nor bad. He who is not for Christ, is against Him. But in his rebellion against God, he is intent on making propaganda to spread his vicious views. In the film arts the world conveys its whole world and life view. Sometimes this is done explicitly and forthrightly; but much of the time in a very subtle way. The “world and life view” is implied. It comes directly. And this is precisely what makes it all so very dangerous and devilish. The world, in its propaganda tells us what it thinks about God. It tells us what it thinks about man and the relationships in which men must live together.

It tells us what is its view of sin, of salvation, of heaven and hell. But mostly all this is implied; it is the background, the assumption, the hidden values- which appear only indirectly. But it is all there nonetheless. In a subtle way, often not even consciously detected, it is there. The world is telling us in the most “innocent” and hilarious situation comedies what it thinks about the institution of marriage and what are its opinions on the relationships between husbands and wives. It tells us what it considers important in the duties and obligations of parents and children. It tells us its attitudes towards sex, crime, violence, bloodshed as well as home-life, school-life and work.

This is partly why, for example, the world always laughs at that which is contrary to Scripture. It glorifies life’s greatest tragedies. It finds humor in the “hen-pecked” husband. It laughs uproariously at the stumbling, bumbling father. It thinks the disobedient child, the Dennis the Menace is humorous. But while we laugh and howl about these things, the devil laughs in hell. We are being influenced in subtle and devious ways. The holy and sacred institution of marriage is being mocked. The solemn injunctions of Scripture are being maligned. “Husbands, love your wives….” “Wives, submit to your husbands….” “Children, obey your parents….” All these and many more injunctions of Scripture are the butt of the jokes of the world and the object of their ridicule.

But all the while, we are being influenced. While we laugh and howl, while we weep and cry, impressions are being made on our souls. Evil propaganda is eating, cutting, destroying, eroding, forming, shaping, twisting our souls and our lives. A whole set of values is being instilled in our minds and the minds of our children which are wholly contrary to the Word of God. It is all happening while we are having a good time, enjoying ourselves, being entertained. Drop by poisonous drop there seeps into our souls, the world and life view of ungodly men.

Lip Service to Principle?

But the principles of Scripture are given only lip service. They are nice principles, good to read from time to time; they are fine subjects for an occasional sermon and proper to discuss once in a while when the elders come on family visitation. We may even want to talk about them in society. But in our homes and in our daily lives, where it counts, we let the world do our instructing. We have been hurt, deeply hurt by it all. There is good reason why, even in the church, disrespect for authority of every kind is a growing problem. There is reason why many marriages are troubled and unhappy, why marital problems occupy a large part of the ministers’ time. We have forgotten the ABC’s of Scripture on these things because we have listened too long and too intently to the world. And we have been taught at the feet of antichrist by this mighty engine of propaganda which instills in us anti-Scriptural views while we are oblivious to the harm done to our souls.

More than this, we have built up in us a kind of an immunity to sin. It is possible to become immune to sin. This is a terrible thing, but a real threat nonetheless. One can hear sin justified, laughed at, mocked, encouraged so long that one loses his sensitivity to sin. He can read Ann Landers so often and see so many sex-filled films and be so bombarded with sex that he is immune to its sin. Gradually, calluses are built up in his soul. And the result is that sin does not shock any more. Gradually, bit by bit, he considers sin to be of minor significance. He is not shocked by it. He no longer feels revulsion and spiritual pain. He forgets that God’s majesty is defamed and His holiness flaunted. And at last, he begins himself to condone sin and excuse it. He has been instructed in the world’s views of God and life. He is about ready to graduate with his diploma in his hand for a life of worldliness and carnality.

It is this which is to be feared in the film arts.

That is, in those film arts which are dramatic presentations.

Only God knows how much has already been done to the Church by this evil.

Legitimate entertainment

In its grounds for the justification of making use of film arts, the committee also spoke of the fact that entertainment is a legitimate part of the Christian life.

That this is an important part of the whole question of dramatic productions goes without saying. In fact, it is really not an exaggeration to say that this is the chief purpose of dramatic productions. This is evident even from the reaction of our children to educational films. If they see an educational film in school, they classify such a film as being very good or a “dud”. And if you inquire as to the criterion on which they make their classification, you will learn that the good educational films are the dramatic presentations while the duds are not. In other words, we try to spoon into our children a few drops of worthwhile education, sugar coated with drama. We sandwich a dose of castor oil between layers of orange juice. Dramatic productions are above all entertainment.

And this raises the interesting question of the place of entertainment in the life of the child of God.

To say that there is a legitimate place for entertainment in the life of the child of God is to state the obvious. There is, I think, no question about it that the child of God may relax, have fun, enjoy himself and the good gifts of God.

But it ought to be remembered that this is not really the point at issue. The point at issue is, especially in connection with dramatic productions, precisely what place entertainment occupies. It is not saying too much to insist that the question of the rightness and the wrongness of drama would probably never be a serious one, if it were not for the fact that we live in an entertainment-orientated age. Evidently, even the study committee which reported on the film arts felt something of this when they included a statement on the legitimacy of drama in their report.

All the emphasis in our age is on having a good time. Everybody has to have fun. A sixty-hour work week has been cut down to fifty, and then forty, and presently thirty. And the aim is to abolish work altogether. Forgotten is the fact that God created man to work. But work must be abolished or, at least, sharply curtailed so that man may spend his time in the pursuit of pleasure. He needs his vacations, his time off, his hours of pleasure.

The point is that we have adopted a set of values in life which is far from Christian. It is not that entertainment, relaxation, and pleasure are wrong in themselves. But they have assumed a place of primary importance in our lives. We have forgotten that the life of the Christian is a battlefield, not a playground. We have interpreted joy and happiness in terms of a can of beer at the local tavern, a bloody game of professional football, forty miles an hour on water skis behind a speedboat. We have forgotten and denied that true joy and pleasure is to be found in the keeping of God’s commandments and in seeking the things which are above. The joy of the Lord is lost in the superficial and hollow laughter of pleasure.

It is well to ponder the fact that if even half the money spent on eating out, buying new boats and cottages, campers and trailers, televisions sets and sports equipment were given to the Church, many causes of God’s kingdom would have more than sufficient money to do the work that needs so badly to be done.

The Problem

It is here that the problem of drama arises. We need to be thrilled, entertained, excited, titillated. We need new amusements to savor on our dulled palates. We need new stimulations of pleasure to awaken our dulled sensibilities and arouse anew our emotions. And so we need to face, again and again, the problem of drama. If only we could put entertainment in its proper place in the life of the Christian, the problem of drama would all but disappear.

Our problem is not, first of all, is drama right or wrong? Our problem is first of all, what does it mean to be a pilgrim and a stranger in the earth? That problem needs solving above all else.

Drama belongs to Babylon. Revelation 18 may very well be called “The Gospel of Babylon’s Fall”. The chapter is a horrible picture of the judgments which shall come upon the harlot riding her scarlet-colored beast. Babylon in all her glittering glory, with all her lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and pride of life shall be destroyed. But the angels sing: Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. But to those who earnestly desire to walk as pilgrims and strangers in the earth come the solemn words of vss. 4, 5: “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”




Sponge Bob Christians

lukewarm sponge bob christians

Have we as true believers in Christ become as weak, useless and comical in the eyes of the world as the Sponge Bob cartoon character?  Do we take a stand for righteousness and proclaim God’s word or do we buy the world’s lie that to speak up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong is to be “judgmental”?   Does not God command his people to take a stand for His holiness? Should we live and act as if holiness is not only unattainable but not worth even striving for?

Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Ps 58:1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

De 1:16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. 17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

2Sa 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

Ro 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Mr 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Ps 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102  I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Ps 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Pr 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life

Pr 15:10  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Pr 15:31  The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Mic 2:7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Ac 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Ac 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.




Is It OK For Christians To Drink Alcohol?

 

QUESTION:

 

Is it wrong to drink wine, because the Bible seems to indicate that JESUS drank it?

 

The Bible says that people called Jesus a glutton and a winebibber.  You can’t call a person a winebibber if he only drinks grape juice, correct?

 

ANSWER:

 

You can call a person anything you want, whether it’s true or not, so the fact that Jesus was called a winebibber is not proof that he drank any wine. Jesus himself was speaking in the passage in Luke chapter 7 that refers to Him as a winebibbler, but note that Jesus uses the phrase “ye say”…

 

Luke 7:34
“The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”

 

There are some Christians who go by this verse, to conclude that we are not to drink wine or strong drink:

 

Proverbs 31:4
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink”

 

And in quoting Proverbs 31:4, they say that believers, being kings and priests in God’s kingdom, should not drink alcohol. There are other passages that indicate it is a sin to engage in behavior that can cause other believers to stumble… this passage, being one of the more strongly worded passages:

 

Matthew 18:6
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

 

But my rule of thumb is a simple one:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

 

If I can say that what I am doing is for the glory of God, then I can be reasonably sure that I am not sinning, assuming I have the Spirit of Truth living and abiding in me and assuming that I am not ignorant of God’s word. I have yet to come up with an instance where a person can drink alcohol to the glory of God. Can YOU?