From: ss1@kepler.unh.edu (The Rink)
Subject: Re: TANGENT (sort of): livin' Godly 'n' all that  (WAS Re: U2's denomination)
Organization: Turkey Hall
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 18:24:09 GMT

>>Paul said we should "avoid the appearance of evil."  I make no calls on
>>whether or not U2 is (or what parts are) right or wrong -- I haven't heard
>>much.  But I do know that Christians should not base their judgment calls
>>on what "offends" them.  Because the Bible also says the heart is
>>deceitful.  As Christians, we must live godly lives, avoiding evil
>>WHENEVER POSSIBLE (obviously it isn't possible to avoid it all the time).
>>We must focus on the spiritual things in life -- not go to rock and roll
>>concerts because they "sound good" but because they are spiritually
>>edifying as opposed to spiritually draining.  
>
>Seems to me if someone is attempting to live a Christian life and trying to
>follow the Bible as a guide, then what "offends" them should be at least a
>pretty good indicator for judgements. As Christians we should avoid evil
>whenever possible (actually, I think avoiding the temptation of evil would
>be more appropriate here), but I don't think that means saying "Oh! This
>thing over here *might* be evil...I'm not sure, but.....it might be and 
>then oh boy would I be in trouble" so that we lock ourselves up in nice
>little Christian boxes and never see the outside world or present ourselves
>or our views to the outside world. And I really don't see how something
>that is spiritually draining for one person will be spiritually draining
>for every person - I think this is spoken about in the Bible when eating
>meat sacrificed to idols, all things are permissable, etc. is discussed.
>And I don't think that everything that isn't spiritually edifying is 
>spiritually draining.

I think we are misunderstanding each other.  I agree with your point
wholeheartedly.  What I was trying to say is we shouldn't go out and actively
seek evil or the temptation thereof.  As for what "offends", yes, that IS
a good indicator for judgments -- as long as we remember than the Word of God
is better, and they may not always coincide.  When they don't the Bible is
what we should pay attention to.

I agree also when you say something "spiritually draining" may not be so for
all people.  (See the present discussion on associations with particular
songs).  But anything that says anything contrary to the Word of God is by
nature spiritually draining, whether we notice it or not.  That is why, I
believe, there are so many backslidden Christians.  They end up going to
concerts or lectures or whatever that are contrary to the Word of God, but
their "offense" indicator doesn't go off, and they don't FEEL spiritually
drained -- and then the devil has space to get a hook wedged in somewhere.

Not that I'm saying this will always be the case whenever we listen to stuff
contrary to the Word of God.  I'm just saying we have to be *aware* of this,
and purposely avoid things we *know* will be anti-Christian or contrary to
the Word of God.

All in all, I think we are really agreeing on these points, just messing
up in our communication.

>The Word of God leaves a lot of area to personal perogative and interpretation.

...but here is where I disagree.  I do not interpret the Bible.  I read what
it says.  "For no scripture is subject to vain interpretation."  (probably
paraphrased, and I don't know the reference, but you get the idea).  Does
this mean we can make interpretations, as long as they aren't vain.  Sure.
Say the Song of Solomon relates Christ's love to the church, if you like.
You may not be so wrong, there, because that is supported by what other
scripture *says* without being interpreted.  If there is no support in other
parts of the scripture for an interpretation, then there isn't any way to
ascertain its truth except our own feelings, and that is an extremely
unreliable way to do it.  So I don't interrpret.  Jesus said, after making
a clear statement about His father's house, "...if it were no so, I would
have told you."  You see, any interpretation of the Scripture that needs to
be interpreted WAS interpreted IN the Scripture.  When Jesus wanted one of
his parables interpreted, HE DID interpret it for you, so it wouldn't be
prone to any vain interpretation.

...sorry to be so wordy....
-- 
+--------------------------+----------+-------------------------------+
| "Two great minds...ought | The Rink | Outside of a dog, a book is   |
| to be able to come up    |  a.k.a.  | Man's best friend.  Inside of |
| with something more than |  Elijah  | a dog, it's too dar to read.  |
| a headache, right?"      |   the    |-------------------------------|
|             -- Walker    | Tishbite |      ss1@kepler.unh.edu       |
+--------------------------+----------+-------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian