Rules and Christianity

The popular view of Chrisitianity is that it is a prohibitory way of life that focuses on the actions that we are not to do. It is a lifestyle and path of negation, perpetually practicing self-restraint and adhering to code.

The sad thing is, it’s often true.

Christianity (in the west) has culturally become one of following morality and focusing on the rules that the Bible gives us. The book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes looks at how this may have more to do with the Western interpretation of Christianity.

The example they give of this is in Indonesia where one of the authors was attending a convention for pastors and was a “pastors only” event. He noticed that there were half a dozen women in attendance when the bylaws of the convention clearly state that, “Pastors must be male.”

Upon inquiring on the peculiarity the author was responded to by that they mostly are male, and that was that. This leniency to the rules within the church is biblically shown through the ambiguity of inclusion of Priscilla and Junia, two female apostles.

When looking at further codified ambiguity through the bible and christian culture I found a blog by Grand Canyon University speaking on drinking and smoking as a Christian.

Often times we as Christians become so obsessed with clearly following the rules we forget the purpose of the rules that are to bring us in closer relation with God. Brett A. Berger wrote the following,

“Temptation is much easier to overcome when you are convinced of a good to pursue as opposed to merely told of pleasures to avoid. Christians are for joy.”

He speaks on the rules regarding drinking in a positive light, that we should not devoid ourselves of earthly pleasure, but rather focus on living a fulfilled and full life. Alcohol in excess has the ability to take away from the clear-mindedness and freedom that is required to live a full life.

That being said, some of the modern-day pillars of protestantism in the Inklings would meet in pubs drinking and talking philosophy and theology. In the same hands, there are many female pastors that do a phenomenal job of shepherding their flock.

God is a relational being, he desires to be with us and is for us. While rules and laws are a great outline of how to best partake in relationship, flexibility is just as key. When we are navigating the culture and our relationship with the Lord we do need to follow the rules, but we also should use our discernment to best increase our relationship with God.