Freed-Hardeman University president opposes West Tennessee liquor referendum

The Jackson Sun in Tennessee reports:

Henderson Mayor Bobby King says he will vote in favor of liquor sales in his community this fall because of the potential for economic growth and increased tax revenue.
His colleague, Alderman Robert C. “Bobby” Barnes, will vote no, citing his Christian faith and beliefs against alcohol consumption.
At least six referendums on liquor stores or liquor by the drink are on ballots across West Tennessee this fall. The votes generate debates that cross economic, political and religious lines. Nowhere is that more evident than in Henderson, a city of about 6,300 people that is anchored by Freed-Hardeman University.
The university is affiliated with the Church of Christ.

Read the full report.

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  Congratulations FHU for choosing a President standing decisively on public affairs. ….. This is responsible citizenship (Ro. 13:1ff) in US democracy. This is the kind of example we need for the Lord’s Church. ….. Since just one drink affects the body and lays the groundwork for impairing judgment, then one drink denies the opportunity to be totally following the Lord in allowing one’s self to be totally “filled with the spirit” (Eph. 5:18b). To edge in a different direction is just as wrong for adults as it is wrong for school children to mutter under their breath when a teacher says “be quiet!” ….. Total surrender to Christ means to be open to Him and Him only (cp. Php. 4:13)

  Jim Gammon

  October, 3 2012

  Let it go! It’s fine to abstain from strong drink (if you’re content to refuse what God calls a “gift”). But to link it to the gospel is to put another (of many!) stumbling block for the Lord’s Church’s message of salvation. Every man-made view we add risks putting off an honest soul who might listen. We need to dust off what “silent where the Bible is silent” can mean! We all have personal preferences on all kinds of social things, but we should clearly differentiate what is clearly in God’s word and our man-made opinions. The Lord’s view on wine? try Psalm 104:14, 15, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Deuteronomy 14:26, Amos 9:14, John 2:1ff, 1 Tim. 5:21. Not being given to “much wine” seems to suggest being given to some!
  We should not call evil what God, in Scripture, has declared to be one of his gifts.

  ldb

  October, 8 2012

  Let us speak as the Bible Speaks and be silent as the Bible is silent accords with I Pt. 4:11. ….. As the materialistic Mosaic Covenant was nailed to the Cross (Col. 2:14), materialistic promises (about the Land, etc.) and gifts of that era must be questioned unless the NT continues them. ….. John 2:1ff is interesting, however it contains no command for us. Some years ago, “Christianity Today” carried an article (by R. Stein – ?), where he presented research from @ the 1st Century that drinking un-watered (undiluted) wine was considered barbaric around the eastern and northern Mediterranean. Presenting several recipe’s for watering wine, the average seems between 2-3 parts water for each of wine. The writer concluded one would need to drink @ 22 glasses of the watered wine to become intoxicated. Unless we accuse the Lord of supporting a “drinking party,” we must think His wine made no one drunk. ….. When Paul tells Timothy to use wine medicinally (I, 5:23), he did not make an argument from the OT or from the Lord creating “wine” to support his command. He just urged a total abstainer to use alcohol only as medicine. ….. One translator notes a passage describing the early observance of the Lord’s Supper specifies that water and wine were brought, apparently to be mixed before consumption. ….. So, yes, we must Speak where the Bible Speaks and Be Silent where the Bible is silent. This is not an excuse to imbibe alcohol, but rather points toward II Tm. 2:15 which insists no man be considered a NT evangelist unless he will be diligent to accurately make even the finest distinctions in a manner which God will approve. ….. Sometimes we must infer applications of Scripture as instructed in Galatians 5:21 and Romans 3:23….. It is possible that confusion may arise on issues if any approve men as evangelists because they draw a paycheck for speaking. ….. Regardless of our opinions, God’s Doctrine will be our judge on the last Day. Let us peacefully unite with an accurate understanding of God’s Eternal Word.

  Jim Gammon

  October, 8 2012