Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site mako.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!tektronix!orca!mako!seifert
From: seifert@mako.UUCP (Snoopy)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: fornication and Christianity
Message-ID: <573@mako.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 00:27:45 EST
Article-I.D.: mako.573
Posted: Wed Feb  6 00:27:45 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 06:44:41 EST
References: <428@pyuxd.UUCP> <1116@houxm.UUCP>
Reply-To: seifert@mako.UUCP (Snoopy)
Organization: The Daisy Hill Puppy Farm
Lines: 61
Keywords: permissible   beneficial   constructive   serving the Lord
Summary: 

>>> From: aeq@pucc-h.UUCP (Jeff Sargent)
>>> On the other hand, we are, indeed, perfectly free to fornicate.
>>> However,  [...]   "'Everything is permissible' -- but not
>>> everything is beneficial.  'Everything is permissible' -- but not
>>> everything is constructive."

>  For example, one of my Christian
>friends prided herself on being active in all sorts of things (swimming,
>various church groups, weightlifting) whereas I felt that I shouldn't have to
>be active all the time (I like having some time to myself just to relax, sit
>back, put on some music, close my eyes ...).  She felt that Christians should
>never be idle but always about God's work.  Well, even Christians need their
>rest (after all, God created a day for it).
>
>The question to ask is:  is fornication beneficial?  is it constructive?  
>Perhaps a better question to ask is:  who does fornication serve, you or God?
>A Christian should strive to glorify God in all that he/she does.  Now, if
>fornication glorifies God in some way, I guess it's ok.  Otherwise, it isn't.
>
>Greg Skinner (gregbo)
>{allegra,cbosgd,ihnp4}!houxm!gregbo

I hope the following makes sense.  My ideas on the subject have been
changing radically in the last few days. (e.g. this may be a little
half-baked.)

How does swimming and weightlifting glorify God?  How is God glorified
by my eating this piece of pizza?  Swimming and weightlifting, (done
in moderation) can be very beneficial.  Eating is quite necessary
for *survival*, much less living or glorifing God.  Does relaxing
glorify God?  Maybe, but I don't see how.  Is relaxing beneficial?
Yes.  Who is being served here, the individual, or God?  I think
the individual is.

Can fornication be beneficial?  yes.  Can it be harmful?  yes.  Who
does it serve?  I think it mostly serves the individuals.  Engaging 
in fornication for the wrong reasons *can* serve the devil, but abstaining
for the wrong reasons can also.  I suspect it depends on the individual,
abstainance being right for some people, and fornication being right
for others.  Paul also said he thought it was better to remain
single, but I see an awful lot of devout Christians getting married.

I have a *real* problem with people who tell you to do/not-do something
for the wrong reasons.  When I did the confirmation bit, they said
that you shouldn't drink alcohol.  Ok, fine, but why not?  Because,
you see, you are supposed to use the grain to make bread for the poor.
What a crock.  Now there *are* reasons to not drink alcohol, but that's
got to be the *worst*.  The Bible doesn't say to not drink, it says
to not get *drunk*.  In fact, 1 Timothy 5:23 says, "Stop drinking
water only, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your
frequent illnesses" (NIV)

Well, I'd better send this out before my GTE phone line kicks me
off-line again..  <grumble>  (and be thankful for emacs' habit
of checkpointing files often!)

        _____
        |___|		the Bavarian Beagle
       _|___|_			Snoopy
       \_____/		tektronix!mako!seifert
        \___/