Featured Pub Night Fellowship

Honestly, I think many from the other side of the issue don't really comprehend our take on the liberty issue, and they don't understand moderation and self control. It seems they think we advocate drunkenness and living it up with the world, when the issue is really over where a couple of believers can go relax and have a beer or two.


God speed, brother, and have a glass for me.
I think this issue is becoming an impasse here

 

The issue was not christian liberty

 

It's a matter of Christian liberty to call a brother names??

This is a "debate" board and the OP asked for "thoughts". Now when those thoughts come what happens?? Insults from the OP poster. Now whats up with that?? Maybe it's conviction, idk. And did I call either of you two any names? Did I group you into a category such as "pompous jerks" or "stuffed shirts"? Just who here is the weaker Christian? Hmm?

Hmmmm....interesting. Strange thing is, a couple a post back he invited me to talk personally. Now when I disagree with his position he slams me. Go figure. And I am called the pompous jerk.

 

EWF's initial post was dealing with meeting with some European friends at a pub for good fellowship. And, he stated in that post that he's not closing his eyes to the fact that liquor being served could be a problem.

His request for thoughts was not about drinking, or drunks, or bring drawn to a bar to get smashed, he was asking for thoughts about having Christian fellowship in a pub.

The thread straightaway started to denigrate into a drink vs. no drink debate, which is NOT what EWF was asking about.

He later said:

He was expressing dissatisfaction for the churches which schedule a 1-hour potluck dinner, invite people to go get fat, and call it "fellowship"

It had nothing to do with a desire for drunkenness. Then you come along with:

Your insinuation was that he wanted to go to a bar to get hammered, and was lying about only having one or two drinks.

You even added:

So don't try to act like this was just a casual discussion before EWF got offended with you. You jumped out of the gate blasting him with insinuations that he's just looking for an excuse to go out drinking.


But, it really looked like you two were ironing it out until you came back with:

It's almost like you were reaching dissatisfaction with a reasoned and reasonable discussion. That seemed to come out of left field.

Yes, you called him a liar. You tried to cloak it with "Most of these", but your clear insinuation was revealed with..."Sorry"

Why the need to apologize to him, if you weren't casting that stone at him?

My only involvement was that I saw a wounded brother being hurled with stones. I felt compelled to kneel down and bandage a would he'd suffered at the hands of a Pharisee.


When I first mentioned stuffed shirts, it wasn't directed at anyone on this board:

Maybe it wasn't readily apparent to everyone, but the stuffed shirts I referenced are the boring ones in the brick building who seem to care only about their food, a comfortable clique, and making sure everybody's towing the line.

"Them" was the people here, advocating that he go "fellowship" or whatever with the stuffed shirts he's dissatisfied with. Two different groups.

Maybe you need to go back through this thread and see where I used each word and phrase. I wasn't calling anyone here a stuffed shirt. You only became a stuffed shirt when you displayed your reactionary attitude and uber conservative Fundamentalist approach. And your insinuations that EWF is looking to go get drunk drove me refer to you a pompous jerk.

You're the only one in this thread who threw insinuations out about his motives.


However, I am sorry for turning to name calling. I should have restrained myself more. I hope you forgive me for that.

 

Wow --- sad this has gotten so offtrack.

We went to a super bowl party this past weekend held by friends -- primarily attended by lots of people from their church. Water, lemonade, sodas and beer were served, along with loads of great food. Some of the guys even smoked cigars and pipes (we were outside).

Of course, everyone got drunk and started cursing, and there was a lot of pole dancing going on, after which we started questioning everyone's Christian walk and whether they were truly saved after all ...

Seriously, just good food and drink with good friends and their families.

 

About a week and a half ago, I took my 7 year old son to a hockey game. Lo and behold, I found out they were serving beer. Yikes, what were we to do? Well, we indulged a little....
popcorn, a pretzel, hot dogs, cotton candy, and Pepsi.

This past Saturday night, the men's group at our previous church had a fellowship night, at this same arena, to watch a hockey game.

It's an annual thing, and my son and I went with them last year. There were a few there who drink a little, but they refrained because they didn't want to offend the ones who think it's wrong for Christians to drink.

It was issue of liberty

 

Earth, Wind & Fire

Well let's see...you found that to be in poor taste and I would agree with that.In fact it was deliberately absurd:laugh: I thought this was also absurd-

LOOKS LIKE A CHOICE WITH A LOT OF JUDGEMENT....

What is next;

Crack house fellowship

Weed fellowship

Casino fellowship

If you were just speaking about christian liberty and going out for a meal no one would have an issue with it.


The Op starts with this;

 

Ahhh, but see a church that serves food is to be ridiculed and called gluttonous, yet a church that serves beer or attends pubs should never be labelled drunkards!!!!

Yes, again we see preaching against sins we do not commit is the fad and those that do so are to be maligned all the while preaching against the sins we DO commit is to be considered taboo.

 

Hello EWF
I knew you would like that:wavey:
While i do defend your right to Christian liberty......I am concerned that you do not have a healthy view of the CHURCH.

Does the church have some problems...yes.Nevertheless....we are to go to work to help and serve others.....stop finding as much fault....stuffy christians, over-paid pastors, one doctrine out of place, sunday school, members classes,everyone can find weakness....look to help.

you have problems with tuna noodle casserole? okay...drink tea,coffee...stuff a piece of bread in your face and help a new believer with some scripture, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep...

stuffy Christians in the fellowship.....speak face to face with them....iron sharpens iron.....

I have never gone into any trucker strip club by the way...nothing in there for me....I have never taken my family to any "family friendly pub's"...I do not even know of any such thing....

Do I speak with all manner of sinners....every time I can.

It does not have to be in a "pub"....coffee shops,diners, just being out in public works very well......the idea that I have to hear beer bottles clanging together to be myself....escapes me.

You asked in the OP....any thoughts?...here are some:thumbsup:

 

Preacher4fantasy

 

I like this post. Much more reasoned approach to the issue than some others.
Blessings to you, brother

 

Hello James,

The goal is that we seek to be where God wants us to be, doing what God has called us to do.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men:thumbs: