“Is there a line we should not cross?”
He wanted to know which movies
Christians should and should not watch.
He was sincere, adamant, and honest.
“I believe each Christian should read Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8,” I began. “Those two chapters set the 
parameters for personal convictions.”
I went on, describing the basic ideas of the two chapters, pointing out, as Paul did, that “what is sin for one is not necessarily sin for another.”
But he continued to press the issue. “Come on. There has to be a line some where! If the only thing we say is ‘a Christian shouldn’t watch porn’ then we could watch anything else!”
He brought up The Wolf of Wall Street referencing what he had read about the movie: there are numerous sex scenes, innumerable profanities, nudity, drug use, and every type of lasciviousness.
“You are right.” I tried to steer him back to the point. “Should we intentionally set sin in front of ourselves?” He shook
his head up and down in agreement. “I wonder if you also agree with other sin we intentionally practice.” I listed potential but very practical situations.
1. Should you spend $5 on a cup of coffee at a shop that does not practice “fair trade”?
2. Should you purchase goods from a company which gives money to Planned Parenthood?
3. Should you support a candidate who is gay but who agrees with your political positions?
4. Should you give money to every panhandler you meet on a city street because the Christian is to “give to everyone in need.”
5. Should you make decisions based on what will make you ‘happy’?
“Those issues do not deal with movies!” he shot back.
“But these issues ask the same question, ‘Do you have a personal standard of conduct for every situation?’” I was trying to be direct without being offensive.
His point was repetitious: “There has to be a standard somewhere.”
I referenced Scriptural standards. I reminded him of The Spirit’s conviction. I spoke of local church guidelines, pastoral exhortations, possible conduct rubrics, and accountability within community. I gave multiple, biblical references to personal responsibility under the auspices of biblical boundaries.
Nothing sufficed.
Others in the group engaged the matter from various angles. It was a heartfelt, honest discussion.
One thing was missing: accepting personal responsibility. [1] The problem for this young man, the problem with this line of questioning, was that one must accept personal responsibility for his own actions: the specific point of Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. [2]
I wish there was an exact answer for every specific question I have about conduct in life. I wish I knew the particular words that would make it absolutely easy to make decisions. I wish my mind could be so precise about every issue I face. I wish I could make strict, literal, accurate assessments of every problem for all people. But alas, my wishes cannot meet the demands.
Sometimes people continue to ask questions
because they do not like the answers.
Sometimes people continue to ask the same questions
because they do not want an answer.
Mark has and continues to address the central concern in life: authority. Dr. Eckel knows we all kick against authority every chance we get . . . ever since Genesis 3.
[1] His facial expression, tone, body language, and eye contact registered what I have seen occasionally during my teaching vocation: rejection of me as an authority. I have encountered the same issue for years. The same person who rejects someone’s authority wants that same authority figure to offer exact, authoritative guidelines so that those authoritative guidelines can also be rejected.
[2] Paul offers general guidelines from Romans 14 and its corollary 1 Corinthians 8. New Christians, fresh from idolatrous practices, believed that eating meat offered to idols was a sin. Paul counters the immature Christian belief in these chapters. The apostle uses the term “servant” (Rom 14:4) to suggest the idea of “conviction”: a viewpoint about which we can agree to disagree. Principles to practice from Romans 14:
1. Condemnation should not happen! Convictions do not dictate what another does (14:1-3).
2. Convinced in one’s own mind, coerced only by God’s direction (14:4, 5).
3. Conscious of God’s presence in decisions about conviction (14:6-8).
4. Convicted by The Lord who alone knows our hearts (14:9-12).
5. Concerned for the “weaker brother” and “stumbling blocks” (14:13-21).
Who is the “weaker brother”? 1 Corinthians 8:7 suggests that this is a new or young convert to The Faith. They (1) regard as wrong that which is not wrong or (2) are unclear, undecided in judgment. This believer is NOT someone of differing convictions. The “stumbling block” is an obstacle consciously, purposefully, willfully designed to ensnare a victim or plan temptation. Growth is expected in the Christian life. Again, “weaker brothers” are new Christians, NOT a deacon in the local church for 30 years.
6. Confined between us and God (14:22)
7. Conscience controlled by The Holy Spirit dictates our decisions (14:23).
Bottom line: Can some things or activities be sin for some and not others? Yes. But notice the continuation of Paul’s thinking through to Romans 14-15:1-7, 1 Corinthians 8, and Galatians 6:1-5. Be sure to understand:
1. The weaker person should not be made to feel inferior, unwanted, or odd.
2. The stronger person should not be maligned, resented, or criticized.
3. Levels of spiritual development do exist.
4. “The strong” bear responsibility for the “weak” (Gal 6:1)
5. Spiritual good of others is our imperative focus.
I appreciate your approach to the subject and agree with you. The biggest problem I have faced when dealing with this issue is the lack of understanding by supposedly mature Christians – people who have been Christians for many, many years. Somewhere in the past they accepted a list of do’s and don’ts and that list has become cemented in their minds. It is amazing how this phenomena plays out in different cultures around the world.
Great point about the weaker brother NOT being someone of differing convictions. Simply because a disagreement on a conviction issue exists between believers does not make one weak and the other strong. It would seem that the existence of convictions is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work, which results in maturity of faith. How we treat other followers of Christ who hold different convictions from us is another evidence of the Holy Spirit at work, and our level of obedience to His labor.
Interesting, Informative and Pertinent!! I look forward to more from the series!
Sigh, if only biblical discernment were as simple as querying the Motion Picture Association of America’s opinion.
I remember doing a bible study a number of years ago on this subject. It is often rejected by many believers that a sin for one person may not be a sin for another. The basic line of thought is “sin is sin”. Unfortunately these same people are not willing to wrestle with Romans 14 unless to justify themselves.
Looking forward to future posts on this subject.