“Booze no longer banned!” This was the headline that shook up a lot of church folks when it appeared on September 27. Moody Bible Institute (MBI), a long-time bastion of conservative theology has dropped its ban on alcohol and tobacco consumption by its 600-some faculty and staff.
Some “slippery slope” folks are worried.
So, what’s up?
Insiders say that this change at Moody, which was founded by the 19th century evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, is a smart business move. According to board member and author, Jerry Jenkins (have you heard of Left Behind?) potential faculty and staff were put off by Moody having a “bunch of lists of rules,” calling the list “kind of pharisaical.”
“Bunch of lists of rules” and “kind of pharisaical” bring up a more significant issue – an issue of the very heart of Christianity. To me, this really isn’t about alcohol. It’s about Christianity.
Christianity is Jesus. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Christianity is a person. Christianity is not a performance.
Being a Christian doesn’t revolve around or even involve a list of do’s and don’ts.
Being a good Christian means understanding that Jesus is our life and allowing Him to live through us. It is the person of Jesus performing His life through us – His life, His love, His values.
We can’t look at a list of rules and focus on Jesus at the same time (Galatians 5:1-5; Hebrews 12:1-2). In fact, rules are the very things that “hinder” us from being and behaving “Christianly.”
As we live out our connection with Him, our behavior will take care of itself!
Let’s go back to the Moody decision. According to Christine Gorz, VP of Marketing and Communications at MBI, the decision reflected a desire to create a “high trust environment that emphasizes values, not rules.”
Inherent in a rules-based faith is control – control people’s behavior.
Inherent in a Christ-based faith is trust – helping each other depend on, trust in the Spirit to live out the life of Christ in us (Galatians 5:16).
Way to go Moody.
Phillip Wright 
Heck yea, keg stands and shots downtown!
Amen, well said….”We can’t look at a list of rules and focus on Jesus at the same time” …. Colossians 2:21- 3:2 ….. we must rather set our eyes/gaze on things above where Christ is.
Great phrase this week in SS: “Religion is about what you must do in order to be accepted by god(s). Christianity is about what God has done for you in order to accept you.”
Very clear distinction.
Have you read Andrew Farley’s books?
Hopefully one of your “replies ” is kidding about keg stands and shots. While doing either one my not be a sin I would contend that the behavior that follows would probably qualify as such. Wouldn’t you? I fully agree that JESUS would accept and love a drunk but don’t really believe the HE would condone being drunk all the time. Do you? With much freedom comes even more responsibility. Or not? Do you see a door opening that leads to destruction with such actions?
Still loving you in CHRIST brother!
Bet you thought I went away for good. : )
1) “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. [1 Corinthians 6:12]
2) Jesus did not turn water into “booze”, but excellent wine. [John 2:1-11]
3) Everything is a gift from God. It is humans who tend to abuse, beginning with Adam. [Genesis 3:1-6]
4) Do you [we] see a door opening that leads to destruction with such actions? Yes, and it is coming soon rather then late.