Theological Watchdog

Thinking About... Legalism and the Word of God (continued)

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Biblical Ignorance      Falwell is demonstrating his vast biblical ignorance by implying dancing, smoking, or drinking are forbidden in Scripture.  However when one reads the Bible without having an legalistic point to prove one finds that none of these things are forbidden.      Deuteronomy 14:22-26 gives us principles for alcohol use.  I understand that they were practiced in the Old Testament and were part of Israel's worship ordinances.  I think however since God is so closely tied to this that it gives us all the more proof that God not only does not forbid alcohol use but even encourages it!

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"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.  You shall eat in the presences of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His Name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, you oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the places where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you, then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses.  You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: For oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household."

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Psalm 114:14-15 also gives us tells us that God approves of alcohol use.  In the process of praising God for his goodness and provision in creation the Psalm writer says: "He causes the grass to grow fo the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine which makes man's heart glad, so that he may make his face glisten with oil, and food which sustains man's heart."

This is why I say Falwell is biblically ignorant.  I know this is two out of many passages that deal with alcohol.  There are passages that also say negative things about alcohol, but that is not because God is cursing alcohol he is disapproving of people's excesses and not the drink.

As for smoking, the Bible does not forbid it at all.  In fact, it is SILENT.  In order to use 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 to forbid smoking requires you to make Paul say something that he was not talking about.  He was forbidding sexual immorality, not smoking.  This does not mean that we go into excess with it either that would be sin as well.

As for dancing, the Bible also encourages dancing.  It encourages communal dancing unto the Lord.  We can apply this in ballroom dances, dances between husband and wife and even offically sponsored school dances.  Provided the dancing does not turn into something sinful or sexually erotic.  If this is the case and it is obvious then the church or officals watching the dance my remove the offenders from the dance or had down approriate discipline.  Dancing and celebration are a part of culture.  Christians in the process of preaching the gospel are called to change the culture.  Do neglect or deny dance as a part of culture is to deny culture.

Legalism      In his statement Falwell also demonstrates his undying commitment to legalism.  This is show explictly by his statements about asking the Holy Spirit to convict people's hearts regarding this matter.  The legalism showing hear the kind that belittle's God's Law.  Falwell is trying to get Christians to ask God in Jesus name for something that is not consistent with His nature (see John 15).  This is an affront to God's Word and His holiness.

Hypocrisy    These statements also reveal Rev. Falwell's hypocrisy.  Here he is crabbing about things that are not sin, when he has students who do not even follow his ideals.  There are also things greater to be preaching against other than drinking, smoking and dancing.  I have met many of the the graduates of his Christian High School and they look no less than the way the world acts.  It shows that he is not a good leader because his students do not follow him.  Also I have met many students who flaunt their piety, like he does.  This is especially true of the Spiritual Life Directors and Prayer Leaders who are no less than a volunteer Gestapo who work for the RA's in trying to control the students and keep their lives in check.  This isn't even the biblical way of governing a church.   Liberty University needs to stop using man's law and start using God's Law to govern their ways.  They need to repent and do rightly before God takes LU's leadership behind the woodshed!

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