The portrait of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary founder B.H. Carroll, which hangs in the Fort Worth seminary's rotunda, reveals the mixed feelings of past and present. Ministers from several denominations queried for this article all regarded tobacco use and tobacco growing as a hard call. That's been shown. The habitual nature of smoking is something to be concerned about, as well. The Bible talks about doing things in moderation.
Some people seem to be able to enjoy it in moderation. . . .
North Carolina pastor Robert Drake says it's an issue of the relationship between the believer and God. We are to bring everything before the Lord with thanksgiving. . . . I put tobacco in the same category. The concern about tobacco smoking is not unique to the 20th century. Not far away from Carthage, President Clinton on a hazy Sunday campaigned in rural Kentucky, talking about nearly everything but tobacco.