I have been talking to my friend, Doug, about something the last few days that I decided I would share with you and ask for your feedback. As a Christian, is it ok to go to bars and nightclubs? Why or why not? Also, is there a difference between the two? If so, what? Also, at what point does trying to live a Christian life turn into legalism?
I am purposely trying to keep my opinion to myself because I really want to know what others think. Lets just say that my friend and I seem to disagree. I do have an opinion, though I am not sure how strong it is. I am open to changing my view if someone can present me with convincing evidence. I think my friend is also open to well-reasoned evidence.
Thanks.
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9 comments:
My boyfriend and I sometimes go to a karaoke bar. He's an awesome singer and we just like to go so he can sing. We don't go to one that has a cover charge and we don't buy anything. So we are not "technically" supporting them.
I don't really know what the right and wrong of it is...that's just what we do. I'll be checking back in to see what your other commenters have to say. It's something I've wondered about myself.
Motive plays a big role.
Mark Driscoll has a chapter in "The Radical Reformission" called "the sin of light beer", there's a lot of food for thought.
I think that if going to a bar might cause a person to sin by feeding old desires, he or she would be better off not going.
But if that person avoids bars "just because" - well, I'd read the book.
;-)
I am listening to one of his sermon's online right now. I wasn't familiar with him so I did a google search.
It would be cool if you could get more Christian books on tape. I spend so much time in my car commuting to and from work and school that it would be really helpful. I don't have that much time to read right now, but I will try to check the book out soon.
I can't do books on tape - I get "lost" but I can do a sermon. I have a couple of problems with Driscoll, but his theology is very good.
I put his sermons on cd's and listen to them in the car, or make sure that I take a walk long enough to listen to the whole thing.
;-)
Dawn,
We must keep in mind that rules are not necessarily wrong, only that an over-emphasis on rules and regulations leads to legalism. Setting rules that scripture does not set and then expecting others to abide by them is also legalism. But legalism can be used for biblical rules too. The Pharisees wanted to obey the Sabbath, yet Jesus condemned them for taking it too far and not dealing with the heart. If our conscience is bothered by a particular practice, we must make sure to deal with what’s driving our desire for that practice instead of just laying down a set of rules. In the case of nightclubs and bars, scripture is pretty clear on that, and I will share some below.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. -Psalm 1
Standing in the paths of sinners constitutes hanging out with the sinners, in their paths. But blessed is the man who delights in the scriptures!
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” -Prov 4:14-15
Abstain from all appearance of evil. -1 Thess 5:23
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? -2 Cor 6:14
With that being said, please keep in mind what Paul said in Colossians 2:20
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Rules are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Jesus also made that point clear in Matthew 5. We must deal with the heart. What is driving the desire for this particular practice? Is it a holy desire? Is it rooted in our love for Christ? Does the desire have other people and their edification in mind first and foremost? And finally, does it fall into this category?:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. - Phil 4:8
We must emphasize the heart, especially when we call others to obey these scriptures.
I think ellen is spot on. It has everything to do with motive. It's great that bethany and her boyfriend go out and have a good time, but I think it is important, as Christians, to keep in mind what our honorable duty is. And that would be reaching out to the lost. Jesus hung out with all kinds of "sinners", for he knew it was the sinners who needed him, and not the healthy (spiritually speaking). In my lowly humble (i wish) opninion, bethany and her bo could even order virgin drinks or sodas, but maybe the bar tender needs an invite to church, or would like to study the bible sometime?
Who is Dawn?
Ha! Boy do I feel stupid. I have been conversing with a "Dawn" a whole lot lately, and apparently my mind wasnt working yesterday. Please forgive me!
Ok. Here is the situation: My friend enjoys going "out on the town." He says he enjoys this because its fun, he likes hanging out with his friends and meeting new people, etc... As far as I know, he never has more than 2 drinks and never drinks if he is out with a friend who has or has had a problem with alcohol.
We recently discussed whether or not this is ok for Christians. I personally do not go to nightclubs anymore. I do occassionally go out for a drink with friends at a restaurant or bar. Like my friend, I try to limit myself to one drink. I believe the bible is pretty clear about the sinfulness of getting drunk.
In my opinion it is hard to say that this practice is either right or wrong. I am not sure it is that black and white. I could be wrong, and I hope that someone will correct me if I am, but I believe that it depends on the place. I can't say that it is patently ok to go to bars. I see a big difference between someone who has a drink at the bar in The Outback Steak House after work with some friends and going to a nightclub and dancing with half naked girls who are drunk to songs that talk about degrading women, sleeping around, doing drugs and killing people.
In my opinion, even if you don't participate in any of that, you are condoning it by being there. In addition, that is the kind of thing that is going into your spirit. All the things that are contrary to the life God has called us to as Christians.
My feeling is that we cannot grow in our faith if have one foot firmly planted on the word while the other foot is dipping its does in the water of the world.
Does this make me a hypocrite?
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