Stumbling Blocks for the Glory of God

Do you ever recall those times when Christians are talking about some particular new cultural fad? It’s usually a fad that some conservative evangelical Christians do not like but either which the Bible has nothing to say or which (even better) the Bible actually approves.

Conservative evangelical Christians, of course, believe that the Scriptures are the authority on almost all matters that the individual believer will experience. Thus the conservative evangelical Christian knows that drunkenness, fornication, adultery are wrong because the Bible says so. Thus conservative evangelical Christian can find a basis for the sins they dislike: homosexuality, greed, gossip, etc. All well and good, right?

But, as mentioned above, sometimes conservative evangelical Christians dislike something of which the Bible is either silent or approving.

You know the kind of stuff I’m talking about? Alcohol consumption, men wearing hats in church, women wearing pants, private prayer language, open communion, women pastors, contemporary or emerging churches, married couples choosing to not have children, single people, tattoos and body piercings, women teaching Hebrew, women working outside of the home, that sort of thing.

Now there some of these topics are expressly approved in the Scriptures and some are not mentioned. But if one is a conservative evangelical Christian and doesn’t like one of these practices, what then is one to do?

Now the spiritually mature thing to do is to remain silent and pray to God for greater tolerance. Once could also recognize that simply because we do not like something then God must automatically agree with us.

One could be that Christ-like but then people would be going around doing things one does not like. And one certainly can’t have that!

I have noticed two ways in which many conservative evangelical Christians seek to ban those things which they dislike but on which they cannot find any Scriptural basis.

The first way in which many conservative evangelical Christians seek to ban those things which they dislike but on which they cannot find any Scriptural basis is to designate that thing as a stumbling block for some people and then apply this verse:

“Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)

And no one better disagree or they have just argued against God! Oh, yes, alcohol consumption is a stumbling block for some people so NO ONE is allowed to consume alcohol EVER even in the privacy of their own home despite what Jesus and the Scriptures say to the contrary. The same goes for women wearing pants, private prayer language. Although the Scriptures

But what else can be a stumbling block? Sex for one thing. “Alright, no more sex, even with your spouse in the privacy of your own home. Why? Because sex can be a stumbling block for some people.” Food. “We have too many overweight people in this country. Your body is a temple. No more sugar, fats, or caffeine. Why? Because food can be a stumbling block for some people.” Video games. Money. Sports. Cars. Careers.

Isn’t it the case that EVERYTHING COULD become a stumbling block? Really, is there anything that could not cause some one to sin?

Are we thus obliged to not to anything? No, because not doing anything might be a stumbling block for someone guilty of the sin of sloth.

You see my point.

And this is the most well known example of people attempting to get their own selfish way despite what Scriptures teaches. There is another method by which many conservative evangelical Christians seek to ban those things which they dislike but on which they cannot find any Scriptural basis.

The first way in which many conservative evangelical Christians seek to ban those things which they dislike but on which they cannot find any Scriptural basis is to ask the question of whether or not this thing brings glory to God. Here is an example I find hilarious:

“In relation to tattoos and body piercings, a good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Bible does not command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.”

So if it does not bring glory to God then we shouldn’t do it.

“Should I wear my shirt tails out or tuck them in?” Which brings glory to God?
“Should I have my salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing?” Which brings glory to God?
“Should I watch football or basketball?
“Should I get a latte or a white chocolate mocha?” Which brings glory to God?
“Should I watch Lost or 24?
“Should I listen to contemporary Christian music or “classical” Christian music?
“Should I read John Piper or should I read the Bible?” Which brings glory to God?

I gave seven examples instead of six because I thought seven examples would bring glory to God more than six.

Of course, whenever someone does anything we do not like we can always mention another option for the person to so which could “bring God more glory”. Hence, “don’t read John Piper’s book; read the actual Word of God which will bring more glory to God.” Where does it end?

And what is so amazing about this use of legalism is that those things which do not bring glory to God for those who do not like that thing, yep, it also doesn’t bring glory to God for those who do like those things. What a coincidence? What are the odds?

You see the point of such a Scriptural position? Those who employ it can employ it can do so for ANYTHING but keep themselves exempt. They can argue that anything of their own choosing causes “another to stumble” or “doesn’t bring glory to God” and anyone who disagrees with them is sinning and disobeying the Word of God. Monstrous!

But then how else can someone who personally dislikes alcohol consumption, men wearing hats in church, women wearing pants, private prayer language, open communion, women pastors, contemporary or emerging churches, married couples choosing to not have children, single people, women teaching Hebrew, and women working outside of the home ever argue against them when the Scripture teaches the exact opposite?

This is how cultural traditions are raised to the level of Scripture.

And for those in the traditional churches who look down upon contemporary churches ...

this is how one “waters down the Gospel” and presents and “easy” Christ.

Or, rather, YOU are a stumbling block for people by setting a standard for discipleship higher than that advocated by Christ. Thus, YOU are the one not bringing glory to God.

Not so nice, is it?