How to be a Legalist - Part 1

As promised, I'm going to post a series on the recent on-goings within the SBC. Those of you from the College Station community will know what I mean when I say that this series may serve as a "theological sternum" - it may hit you in the chest. So, if you have a weak stomach, you may want to avoid this series. I'm attempting in this series to fight against the narrowing focus of the SBC, and against the poor appropriation of Christian Ethics in my denomination. Lastly, I'm also trying to show that we, as Christians, must learn to embrace our culture, interact with it, and, ultimately, seek to redeem as much of it as possible. This includes things that we condemn as evil becuase we viewed things with a bad perspective (i.e. - alcohol in moderation).

So, before we really get going, take some time to read SBC Resolution # 5 of 2006 (copy posted below). Leave a comment - let me know if you agree or disagree, and why.

Resolution No. 5
ON ALCOHOL USE IN AMERICA

WHEREAS, Years of research confirm biblical warnings that alcohol use leads to physical, mental, and emotional damage (e.g., Proverbs 23:29-35); and

WHEREAS, Alcohol use has led to countless injuries and deaths on our nation's highways; and

WHEREAS, The breakup of families and homes can be directly and indirectly attributed to alcohol use by one or more members of a family; and

WHEREAS, The use of alcohol as a recreational beverage has been shown to lead individuals down a path of addiction to alcohol and toward the use of other kinds of drugs, both legal and illegal; and

WHEREAS, There are some religious leaders who are now advocating the consumption of alcoholic beverages based on a misinterpretation of the doctrine of "our freedom in Christ"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge that no one be elected to serve as a trustee or member of any entity or committee of the Southern Baptist Convention that is a user of alcoholic beverages.

RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to take an active role in supporting legislation that is intended to curb alcohol use in our communities and nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to be actively involved in educating students and adults concerning the destructive nature of alcoholic beverages; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we commend organizations and ministries that treat alcohol-related problems from a biblical perspective and promote abstinence and encourage local churches to begin and/or support such biblically-based ministries.