In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, the idea for the topic came from a series Dr. White delivered at Mecklenburg Community Church called, “Is it okay for a Christian to…” This series explored questions that both Christians and non-Christians have about what is or is not okay to do once you cross the line of faith. So, is it okay for a Christian to smoke marijuana and drink wine?
Episode Links
When trying to determine whether the Christian faith allows you the freedom to do something, it's important to put those questions through a biblical framework that Dr. White outlined. For more on this framework and how to apply it to your life, check out his book After “I Believe”: Everyday Practices for a Vibrant Faith. It's also an excellent book to read whether you are new to the Christian faith or have been a Christ follower for years.
As the Bible is key to knowing whether it's okay for a Christian to do (or not do) something, there were a number of Scripture references that Dr. White gave that we wanted to gather for you:
* On your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
* On the benefits of wine for your body and mental health, read 1 Timothy 5:23, Psalm 104:15 and Ecclesiastes 9:7.
* On Jesus' words about wine, read Luke 7:34 and Mark 14:25.
* On warnings about your personal freedom leading others astray, read 1 Corinthians 8:9, Romans 14:21 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Finally, Dr. White read an excerpt from a Christianity Today article titled, “A Toast to My Journey with Wine” which you can read HERE.
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