BJU Pulls Drinking Book
Stephen Jones issued the following letter-
Dear BJU alumni and friends,In 2008 BJU Press published The Christian and Drinking: A Biblical Perspective on Moderation and Abstinence by Dr. Randy Jaeggli, professor of Old Testament at Bob Jones University Seminary. The book is part of a series of short monographs published by the Seminary to help Bible-believing Christians apply biblical principles and discernment to difficult issues. Taking an inductive approach, Dr. Jaeggli presents Scriptural, medical and cultural evidence that brings the reader to the conclusion that a Christian should totally abstain from the beverage use of alcohol.A ProblemThe sensitivity and complexity of the topic of the book, combined with the brevity (72 pp.) and inductive arrangement of it, have caused confusion for some readers. They have concluded from some select portions of the text that Dr. Jaeggli condones a Christian’s moderate use of alcohol, which is the opposite of what the book actually teaches. Articles have been written questioning Dr. Jaeggli’s research and Scriptural interpretations, Bob Jones University’s position on the use of alcohol has been questioned, and some of you—our alumni and friends—have asked for clarification.Our PositionLet me assure you that the University’s position on alcohol has not changed throughout our history; BJU does not believe the Scripture condones the beverage use of alcohol to any degree by Bible-believing Christians. Please read our complete statement on alcohol use on our website: http://www.bju.edu/welcome/who-we-are/position-alcohol. . All of the administration and Bible and Seminary faculty, including Dr. Jaeggli, fully support complete abstinence from alcohol and teach and preach this position.php The SolutionWhile our position is clear and we stand by Dr. Jaeggli’s conclusion that Christians should completely abstain from alcohol, we do not want the University to be in a position of causing confusion or misunderstanding among our Christian brethren. Therefore, we are temporarily pulling the book from distribution. Our plan is to rewrite and edit those portions of the text that have been misunderstood and reissue the book. Please understand that the revised edition, while clarifying earlier in the book that the evidence leads a Scripturally-sensitive believer to an abstinence position, will continue to approach this issue in a way that differs from some approaches of the past, which have become less tenable over time.As alumni and friends you are a key part of the university family, and my purpose in writing this e-mail is to show you the University’s heart in this matter and to clarify our position.Stephen JonesPresident
Also see http://www.bjupress.com/product/261412 (“This item is not available for purchase.”)
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I’m an “old” fundamentalist who believes that anyone who drinks alcohol as a beverage risks making a fool of himself and hinders his testimony. I also admit that God’s people in times past drank alcohol. (If you want to call me inconsistent…stand in line.)
May I venture the assertion that a certain segment of fundamentalism holds beliefs that are not supported by Scripture.
Among them are:
“Wine” is alcohol when unbelievers drink it but grape juice when God’s people drink it. (Thomas Welch ‘corrected” the miracle at Cana :) )
The Nazerite vow is good (except for the long hair and beard part).
Anyone who questions the logic, arguments, or veracity of statements made by 1920’s prohibitionist preachers is denying Biblical truth.
And while I’m at it…
Calvinists don’t believe in missions, soul-winning, the free offer of the Gospel, free will (see the Westminster Confession) or invitations.
While I haven’t read the book, the comments about it make be think that I would agree with its conclusions.
What concerns me is that the uniformed opposition to this book as well as the uninformed opposition to Calvinism is yet another reason for the younger generation to reject a fundamentalism that is recognized more for its prejudicial traditions than its Biblical doctrine and practices.
May I venture the assertion that a certain segment of fundamentalism holds beliefs that are not supported by Scripture.
Among them are:
“Wine” is alcohol when unbelievers drink it but grape juice when God’s people drink it. (Thomas Welch ‘corrected” the miracle at Cana :) )
The Nazerite vow is good (except for the long hair and beard part).
Anyone who questions the logic, arguments, or veracity of statements made by 1920’s prohibitionist preachers is denying Biblical truth.
And while I’m at it…
Calvinists don’t believe in missions, soul-winning, the free offer of the Gospel, free will (see the Westminster Confession) or invitations.
While I haven’t read the book, the comments about it make be think that I would agree with its conclusions.
What concerns me is that the uniformed opposition to this book as well as the uninformed opposition to Calvinism is yet another reason for the younger generation to reject a fundamentalism that is recognized more for its prejudicial traditions than its Biblical doctrine and practices.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
Ron, now you really are trying to start a fundamental fight, by mixing Calvinism with alcohol. :)
CanJAmerican - my blog
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[Pastor Harold] I hope we are all settled in our own hearts and minds on where we stand with sipping,drinking, and drunkenness. Surely we can find something else to post about now. Or should we continue to argue about the out come? With 6 or 8 threads touching this topic, I am tired and think it is time to move on.Before moving on, I think it is appropriate to give credit where credit is due. I’m sorry to say that SOTL and Biblical Evangelist had nothing to do with BJU pulling the book. Without a doubt it was these 6-8 threads on Sharper Iron that were the primary cause! :D
Faith is obeying when you can't even imagine how things might turn out right.
[JohnBrian] Ron, now you really are trying to start a fundamental fight, by mixing Calvinism with alcohol. :)Mixing elixirs and election. Rum and reformed theology. Sour grapes and sovereign grace. :D
I’ll quit now.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
[A. Carpenter]Nah, let’s spread even more blame. SOTL and BE read the threads here and were tipped off to the issue, and then BJ pulled the book because of them because of us! Whee!
Before moving on, I think it is appropriate to give credit where credit is due. I’m sorry to say that SOTL and Biblical Evangelist had nothing to do with BJU pulling the book. Without a doubt it was these 6-8 threads on Sharper Iron that were the primary cause! :D
[Ron Bean]That’s 3 points, now all you need is a poem and you have a sermon. Can I get an Amen! in the house![JohnBrian] Ron, now you really are trying to start a fundamental fight, by mixing Calvinism with alcohol. :)Mixing elixirs and election. Rum and reformed theology. Sour grapes and sovereign grace. :D
I’ll quit now.
CanJAmerican - my blog
CanJAmerican - my twitter
whitejumaycan - my youtube
When I suggested we move on to a new topic, I didn’t mean move to telling hunting stories. But If it will help make the transition I posted it under General Interest.
The ‘Calvinism with alcohol’ comment tempted me onto the keyboard from my usual lurker state! Several years ago a coworker recommended a book to me entitled ‘Drinking with Calvin and Luther! - A History of Alcohol in the Church.’ It’s written by Jim West and (at least the edition that I have) has a forward by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
It’s (obviously) a spirited and humorous defense of moderation but is also enlightening as to how far back the theological disagreement between moderation and abstinance actually goes.
As a BJ alumnus I think the university should have have backed its book & professor but then I was a science major and we were viewed as maybe being a bit heretical anyway.
On a related note, I hear that the SOTL is getting ready to publish a book on gluttony that also advocates total abstinence as opposed to moderation… ;-)
Carry on everyone, I’m enjoying the discussion
It’s (obviously) a spirited and humorous defense of moderation but is also enlightening as to how far back the theological disagreement between moderation and abstinance actually goes.
As a BJ alumnus I think the university should have have backed its book & professor but then I was a science major and we were viewed as maybe being a bit heretical anyway.
On a related note, I hear that the SOTL is getting ready to publish a book on gluttony that also advocates total abstinence as opposed to moderation… ;-)
Carry on everyone, I’m enjoying the discussion
[Daniel Herman] The ‘Calvinism with alcohol’ comment tempted me onto the keyboard from my usual lurker state! Several years ago a coworker recommended a book to me entitled ‘Drinking with Calvin and Luther! - A History of Alcohol in the Church.’ It’s written by Jim West and (at least the edition that I have) has a forward by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
It’s (obviously) a spirited and humorous defense of moderation but is also enlightening as to how far back the theological disagreement between moderation and abstinance actually goes.
As a BJ alumnus I think the university should have have backed its book & professor but then I was a science major and we were viewed as maybe being a bit heretical anyway.
On a related note, I hear that the SOTL is getting ready to publish a book on gluttony that also advocates total abstinence as opposed to moderation… ;-)
Carry on everyone, I’m enjoying the discussion
While researching Luther’s counsel on depression, I came across this: “Be strong and cheerful and cast out those monstrous thoughts. Whenever the devil harasses you thus, seek the company of men, or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, aye, and even sin a little to spite the devil so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles.” ~” http://books.google.com/books?id=zuAPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA324&lpg=PA324&dq=lut…] The Life and Letters of Martin Luther “
(No, I’m not for moderation, but I find quotes such as these intriguing).
Love the SOTL comment. Funny.
"I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian." --Whitefield http://strengthfortoday.wordpress.com
[Daniel Herman] On a related note, I hear that the SOTL is getting ready to publish a book on gluttony that also advocates total abstinence as opposed to moderation… ;-)That is the single best quote I have read on the New SharperIron. Thanks for putting it up - I needed a good laugh.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
Daniel, that book, “Drinking with Calvin and Luther! - A History of Alcohol in the Church,” is a great read. Unfortunately, there are no citations to support the text! I can only hope another edition comes out with them.
By the way, since I mentioned I’m a moderationist in my first comment on this thread, I must say that I do respect the abstentionist argument (that consuming alcohol as a beverage is not prohibited but is unwise). After all, Paul advocated abstentionism when it came to women, right?
How hard do we preach that?
By the way, since I mentioned I’m a moderationist in my first comment on this thread, I must say that I do respect the abstentionist argument (that consuming alcohol as a beverage is not prohibited but is unwise). After all, Paul advocated abstentionism when it came to women, right?
How hard do we preach that?
Just before the new edition is released, I would like to call for a Soda Summit to make sure that the revised content is acceptable for all branches of fundamentalism.
[Pastor Joe Roof] Just before the new edition is released, I would like to call for a Soda Summit to make sure that the revised content is acceptable for all branches of fundamentalism.Careful which sodas you choose. They can tell a lot about who you are. Also, make sure you use this opportunity to showcase the lesser-known regional bottling companies to support small business. If it’s going to be in Greenville, I recommend Blenheim. Red-cap (naturally).
Mounty, is BJ still selling Jones Soda in the Snack Shop?
For those of you who are wondering, no, Jones Soda isn’t affiliated with BJU in any way. It was a running joke on campus [when I was there anyway] that we only got the rights to carry it because of all the free advertising they got from the University.
For those of you who are wondering, no, Jones Soda isn’t affiliated with BJU in any way. It was a running joke on campus [when I was there anyway] that we only got the rights to carry it because of all the free advertising they got from the University.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
[Jay C] Mounty, is BJ still selling Jones Soda in the Snack Shop?Good question - I *think* so… Tell you what, next time I choose the snack shop over the dining common (tomorrow? who knows?) I’ll check, and if I see one there I’ll hoist a toast to a fellow northeaster. :)
For those of you who are wondering, no, Jones Soda isn’t affiliated with BJU in any way. It was a running joke on campus [when I was there anyway] that we only got the rights to carry it because of all the free advertising they got from the University.
Discussion