What is the Standard?
By what standard do we determine truth? By what standard do we determine write and wrong? Each person has a standard that guides every belief and action, whether they acknowledge it or not.
What is that standard? Is it me? Is it my autonomous reason, majority opinion, or something else?
I am here to make the declaration that the Bible must be the only standard to which we appeal!
Many Christians say that the Bible is their standard, but in practice they appeal to other sources (in some situations). Many Christians leave Scripture out of certain aspects of life (entertainment choices, clothing choices, politics, etc.). These Christians appeal to their own minds to make what they consider earthly or unspiritual choices.
This is a good example of a double-minded Christian: one foot in the world and one foot in the Scriptures. Such a person is unstable in all his ways!
The Bible must be our only standard for every aspect of life! Whether we are forming our theology or practicing apologetics, the Scriptures must be our standard, source, guide, presupposition, etc.
What is that standard? Is it me? Is it my autonomous reason, majority opinion, or something else?
I am here to make the declaration that the Bible must be the only standard to which we appeal!
Many Christians say that the Bible is their standard, but in practice they appeal to other sources (in some situations). Many Christians leave Scripture out of certain aspects of life (entertainment choices, clothing choices, politics, etc.). These Christians appeal to their own minds to make what they consider earthly or unspiritual choices.
This is a good example of a double-minded Christian: one foot in the world and one foot in the Scriptures. Such a person is unstable in all his ways!
The Bible must be our only standard for every aspect of life! Whether we are forming our theology or practicing apologetics, the Scriptures must be our standard, source, guide, presupposition, etc.
Labels: Biblical Worldview
posted by Scott Eash at 11:03 PM
4 Comments:
I've been in an ongoing debate with a friend on the subject of alcohol. Out of curiosity, where do you stand?
I actually go to a Southern Baptist university which means no dancing. Do you think that something can *possibly* lead to wrong sould be banned altogether?
I believe the Bible is clear on the subject of alcohol: avoid it! Proverbs 23:29-35 describes the visions of a drunkard in vivid detail. I believe the Scriptures clearly caution against alcohol; so do I. You might also check out Habakkuk 2:15.
Your second question is a little more difficult to answer, and controversial. I believe it is unwise to place ourselves in situations that will test us. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus said, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak."
Why would we want to deliberately put ourselves in a place that will lead to temptation?
My specific view is one more of moderation. I also understand that alcohol can be dangerous because there are health risks attached to it like drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, etc...
In addition to the above reasons, drunkeness is something to be avoided because the mind simply loses control of the body. Ephesians 5:18 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the spirit." In my mind both verses (Prov 23:29-35, Hab 2:15) specifically pertain to drunkeness.
It would also make sense for someone with a self-control problem to avoid alcohol. What is left for people that can drink responsibly/not get drunk? They can either choose to drink in moderation or eliminate it altogether. Neither choice is right or wrong, it would just be a personal preference.
One common reason I hear for Christians to eliminate alcohol is that it will ruin their witness with non-Christians. It seems to me that this phenomenon can only have come from Christians condemning alcohol drinkers for their actions, therefore making it "hypocritical".
Dancing is of course a much different story. My take is that there are so many forms of dancing like swing, latin, tap, and the list goes on and on. Now, I can see that some dancing forms are very sexual and could possibly create sexual feelings, but I can't see how that would be wrong for a married couple.
On a similar level, there are many types of music. Some music is probably not what a Christian should be listening to, but other music, such as hymns, cannot possibly be bad. Using the dancing method, music should be eliminated because it can be bad.
Hopefully my analogy makes sense as do the rest of my thoughts. I am really enjoying this dialogue already and I hope it continues.
-Stephen
Thanks for your comments. I will be posting a blog about alcohol soon.
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