First off, you need to know that I know and love many members of the Southern Baptist Conference. The Founders [1] are some of my theological heros. The following is offered with a bit of good-natured needling and a hint of disbelief.
Added: Steve McCoy, a real life pastor of an SBC church who attended the conference, has some good comments [2] on this resolution.
At their recent national conference, the Southern Baptist Conference passed a resolution on alcohol use in America [3]. It reads, in part:
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge that no one be elected to serve as a trustee or member of any entity or committee of the Southern Baptist Convention that is a user of alcoholic beverages.
RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to take an active role in supporting legislation that is intended to curb alcohol use in our communities and nation;
“Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we prohibit and abolish women? The sun, moon, and stars have been worshiped. Shall we pluck them out of the sky?” – Martin Luther Fair enough. I guess. But in so doing, they have just made it so that Jesus could not serve as a trustee or member of any entity or committee of the SBC. He drank alcohol after all (Luke 7:34 [4]). Further, they support legislation to curb his first miracle (John 2:1-11 [5]).
It is true that alcohol abuse exists in our nation. I do not agree with this resolution though. God gave us wine to make our hearts glad (Psa 104:15 [6]). We need to help people who have a problem, but this is a wrong-headed approach.
Two quotes come to mind:
“Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we prohibit and abolish women? The sun, moon, and stars have been worshipped. Shall we pluck them out of the sky?” – Martin Luther
Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty,
I prefer a shot of grape juice.
Don’t teach me about loving my enemies.
Don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit,
Just give me a new law
I don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
So just bring it down from the mountain to me
I want a new law
I want a new law
Gimme that new law – Derek Webb, A New Law.