I pay attention to the news and other stuff.
Here’s my take on some news and stuff that I find interesting. Here we go:
Is Smoking a Sin?
Tim Challies writes a thought-provoking piece on the now taboo behavior for Christians of smoking. My two cents: smoking is not inherently sinful. It is sinful inasmuch as it draws you and your affections from God and to smoking. So, it will depend on each person and whether or not they are bound to it in a destructive way. Having never smoked myself, my insights are limited.
Of course, I do think it is foolish from a health standpoint. But plenty of things are foolish and not sinful. I’m thinking of things like sky diving or bungee jumping or hockey or eating at Long John Silvers.
Clinton Seeks Chinese Support
Clinton calls on authorities in Beijing to keep buying US Treasuries in order to jump start the US economy. She also avoided any sticky human rights issues. Apparently when we’re at the economic behest of a people-squelching country we lose the right to say that people-squelching is wrong.
So we’ve traded our collective conscience about things like religious liberty and free speech in order that the US Treasury has the funds to send converter box coupons so no American has to go without TV. I’m more than a little concerned.
The Musical is Back!
So says Hugh Jackman, the host of the Oscars. As I watch for the first time in a few years I am greatly enjoying the musical numbers done by Jackman and a plethora of others. I definitely go for theatrical musical entertainment over the smutty comedy that I’ve heard in the past. Not to say there still isn’t plenty of undesirable junk around, but still lovin’ the musical.
Finally Alive!
A new book by my pastor, John Piper, promises to be one of the most important reads outside of the Bible. I’m only a few chapters in and am loving it for the simple and profound Gospel truths that it preaches. If I had to write a blurb I’d say, “Finally Alive is a wake-up call for all who call themselves born-again.” Maybe someone has said that already, if so, my apologies.
Temporary Nationalization?
At the end of this NY Times piece, Alan Greenspan, former fed chair, remarks that, “the government might be forced to temporarily nationalize some banks.” I know Greenspan is a really smart guy, but does anyone seriously believe that if the gov’t got a hold of the banks that they would ever be given back to the private market? This seems very naive to me. Since when has gov’t ever willingly given up power?
Feedback is welcome, as always.
I enjoyed your post and your news stories. I’ve tried doing funny fake news, and it’s harder than you’d think. Good job.
Davis:
Thanks! Just want to clarify that this is all real news; I’m guessing you know that, but wasn’t one hundred percent sure from your comment.
And any humor is a bonus.. don’t count on it in the future :) I’d hate to disappoint later on!
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I think smoking is sinful for most people, given that pretty much everyone knows how harmful it is to our bodies. It is even a mortal sin for some. (My Catholic perspective is apparent here. :) )
The CCC says under the section about the Fifth Commandment: “The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine….The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense” (2290-2291).
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P80.HTM
Abigail,
Thanks for the comments about my new blog banner – glad you enjoyed the rant!
Your comments on the smoking story reminded me of two things:
[1] Great – GREAT – quote by CS Lewis:
“Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
~ C. S. Lewis in The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment, Res Judicatae (June 1953) – republished in his “God in the Dock: Essays in Theology and Ethics”
[2] The story is told about Spurgeon, who as you may know enjoyed a good cigar, which he said he smoked “for the glory of God.” He was approached one time by a group of ladies who, concerned about his cigar habit, and displaying their busybodiness, asked him, “When you get to Heaven, where will you put out your cigar?” And he responded, “In your coffee cup.” Zing.
Let’s major on the majors and minor on the minors. Keep up the great blog! Eric the Purple Patriot
I tend to put smoking in the same category as other drugs. The chemicals in cigarettes are addictive and do terrible harm to the body–even a little bit of smoking. The lungs can recover if a person quits in time, but according to our cardiologist the damage done by smoking “always comes back to bite you” when it comes to the heart.
I guess caffeine is addictive, too, but I don’t consider eating a brownie as sinful. We all know people who eat a brownie or drink a cup of coffee/tea occasionally. Do we know anyone who has a smoke just once each morning, or just on Thursday afternoons…?
I don’t wish to be offensive, or to imply that a person who smokes is not a Christian. I just don’t see how we can legitimately make smoking a part of a Christian’s lifestyle.
I can’t wait to read Finally Alive…
Eric: great C.S. Lewis quote, I couldn’t agree more about the nanny state and its potential for harm. And I considered putting a Spurgeon quote in the post about smoking, but it didn’t fit too well. Thanks for adding it in!!
Chris and Pam: I agree that smoking can certainly be a sin, I’m just not ready to say that it is necessarily a sin. I’m thinking of two situations: 1) the person who smokes an occasional pipe or cigar (even nightly), and 2) the person who was introduced to smoking at as part of their culture, with never a thought that it was negative or harmful.
And here’s one of my concerns in the church. People smoking can’t come into churches. And if someone is lighting up on the sidewalk outside the church they will probably get a few raised eyebrows.
But the sex addict, the guy not providing for his family and many others can come right in.. no problem. This seems out of balance to me. I think the church shouldn’t ostracize one particular group of people (i.e. smokers). Welcome the smoker and once they’ve been welcomed, then tell them smoking to quit smoking (if it seems to be a true sin problem in their life).
Does this sound reasonable and in line with a God-glorifying love of people and hatred for true sin? (That’s what I’m aiming for).
Abs, here comes some thoughts on your thoughts. You know me. Smoking–I don’t know if it is a sin, but the Bible does say not to harm the temple. I watch my lungs carefully, so far, so good. Thank God. Chinese–Right now is the time to try to take care of the financial mess. We do not forget human rights. There are many more days ahead. I don’t beleive it is a loss of conscience, but there are times to be pragmatic. For instance, the rendering unto Ceasar. This may be one of those times. Remember Darfur? We couldn’t get involved because of Iraq. Musical–I am with you 100%. I could not believe Hugh Jackman. Partly because of the Wolverine! How amazing. Book–Haven’t seen the one you mentioned, but just was referred to one called Parenting with Love and Logic. It sounds wonderful. Nationalization–Only God knows how we are going to get out of this total mess. I pray that there is some wisdom out there that will take hold and help the country I live in and love.
Abigail, I think your mostly right. There are a couple other things I’d consider.
“1) the person who smokes an occasional pipe or cigar (even nightly)” This is probably not sinful, but I’m not sure. Would smoking a joint each night be okay? Cigarettes are not mind altering as marijuana is, but alcohol is. We don’t think of having a glass of wine with dinner as sinful, but maybe we should think of it more seriously. All alcoholics start with one drink. How do we know if we will slip over the edge–if not today, then in ten years when our circumstances are different? If we have alcohol in our home and we are doing okay with it, what about our kids and others who may visit. How can we tell who can be led into a destructive habit and who won’t? In the days when Jesus lived, what choices did they have–bad water, wine, milk….We have so many more options. Their culture was certainly just as sinful, but as things get worse in these last days, it seems that the temptations and effects get worse and worse. While the act of smoking a pipe or drinking a glass of wine may not be sinful in themselves, it can be sinful to minimize the risks that we take and pose to others in doing these things.
” 2) the person who was introduced to smoking at as part of their culture, with never a thought that it was negative or harmful.” People grow up in all kinds of situations where things are considered just fine. There are cultures where polygamy, spousal abuse, and other things are presented as just part of life. In some places human sacrifice was a normal part of the culture. Smoking does not seem as bad as that, but being part of our culture is probably not the best defense.
It’s a pastor’s job and ours as parents to set a tone where we don’t treat people badly if they sin. If raised eyebrows toward people is a problem in our church, then we need to change that attitude rather than minimize the harm of smoking. The more we make harmful things seem acceptable, the more people will take part in them. Bristol Palin said in an interview recently that abstinence from premarital sex seems unrealistic because it is so accepted.
Nobody should be ostracized. Yet I think we’re going too far if we start letting people light up in church–for fire safety reasons if nothing else (maybe it’s all the years I taught school that makes me think this way). Also, I keep recalling the words of one of our substance abuse prevention teachers during inservice training about the numerous carcinogens in cigarettes and how they never would have been legalized if we had known then how harmful they are. The only reason they are legal now is economic–the huge industry that would economically cripple certain regions if we would make them illegal now.
As far as people smoking in our homes, people see that differently. The ten Booms allowed Jewish refugees to smoke in their home even though they were not for smoking as Christians, but again, they were in desperate circumstances and living in times when the dangers were not known. My own dad never smoked in my home and never made me feel like I was judgmental for not wanting him to. Even after surgery and doctors telling him he would die if he wouldn’t quit, he still snuck around–everyone knew he had never really quit. It did finally kill him a few years later. With how harmful it is, I just can’t see how it’s any different than using other drugs. My great uncle Joe, a dear, sweet, kind and gentle man had a couple of beers after work each day. He also died of liver cancer. Maybe I’ve just had too much destruction in my life to see it any other way.
Yes, I am 100 percent with you that smokers should not be treated as any worse sinners than any of us who sin daily in our speech, thoughts, and other more medically acceptable ways. I also think that we should not make smokers think that they must stop smoking before they become a Christian or before they can become part of our church.
I hope I have not rambled on too long and that this comes off as coming from a broken heart and not a hard one.
Thanks for listening…
But the sex addict, the guy not providing for his family and many others can come right in.. no problem. This seems out of balance to me. I think the church shouldn’t ostracize one particular group of people (i.e. smokers). Welcome the smoker and once they’ve been welcomed, then tell them smoking to quit smoking (if it seems to be a true sin problem in their life).
Does this sound reasonable and in line with a God-glorifying love of people and hatred for true sin? (That’s what I’m aiming for).
Sorry, I had copied part of your response to help me organize my answers, and I see that I forgot to delete the last part.
Hi Abigail,
Had a minute to check out your blog and beyond the PHVO connection, we really do have a lot in common! Do you really go to Piper’s church??? I’d make a crack about how it must be really easy to godly there, but I spent over ten years attending and working at John MacArthur’s church, so I know that ain’t necessarily so. :) But I downloaded Finally Alive over a 28K modem at my in-laws’ house last week because I was so excited to read it, and I completely agree. One of the most transformational books I’ve ever read. In fact, pretty much every book of his has had an immediate Christ-ward impact on my life. My husband and I actually read Desiring God over the phone together when we were first dating long-distance.
Have to go make my 3′s dinner – God bless you!
Hi Abigail,
Smoking: So not a sin – inherently. Smoking in moderation – totally possible. I recommend a tasty clove on a summer night – smokes like a cigarette, tastes like a Christmas cookie. :) As with anything, however, can become sin if idolotrous, destructive towards self or others, or distracting from relationship with God.
Basically, I agree with you. And I like the comparison to “hockey & long john silvers”. So true.
My two cents.
I think we (Christians – myself included) have really had a messed up view of what is sin & what isn’t. We have our list, you know. These sins (some of which aren’t even sins) matter and others don’t. It’s sad & wrong & I’m as guilty as the next… but I appreciate opportunities and others who are willing to put “the list” to the test and see what truly holds up in light of the example of Christ.
Okay, that was maybe four cents. :)
I came across an post in the blog at the Desiring God website that seems very helpful to the discussion on smoking here: (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1643_knowing_the_nature_of_your_evil/).
I also think your comments on the original article at challies.com are very helpful, and maybe you will consider posting them here, as well–or maybe most of your blog readers also read that one…
Chris: Thanks for all your comments and the link! I love that article and I think it puts its finger on what Heather was getting at about a list of do’s and don’t's. It is and always has been, ultimately, a heart issue.
Here is my comment in response to Challies original post:
“My initial reaction is that smoking may or may not be a sin. It depends on the person and the heart and the extent to which they are bound by it. Sounds like we’re on the same page.
And I think trying to evaluate everything we eat in light of an uber “healthy” standard which is somehow tied to greater godliness is a risky road to go down. It is a fairly common topic in mom’s circles and can be emphasized over and above things like, teaching children Scripture and caring for their souls.
Much of our society (and it has seeped into the church) has placed good “health” (i.e. don’t smoke, only eat organic or homegrown foods, etc) as an idol. And in the Christian community it comes under the guise of godliness (which it may be for some) but often turns to a kind of legalistic and perfectionistic way of living. And it allows for self-righteousness in relationship to those who aren’t eating as “healthy” or do things like drink caffeine.
It also creates a false sense of control, as though if we only eat healthy and protect our bodies from smoking we will necessarily have good health. God doesn’t make those guarantees.”