Friday, February 25, 2005

A quick thought

The Bible condemns drunkenness.
Wine is the source of drunkenness.
Therefore wine is forbidden.

The Bible condemns gluttony.
Food is the source of gluttony.
Therefore...

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

that sounds dumb... are you encouraging people to be anorexic or something?

Keith said...

If the syllogism is sound, than the conclusion would seem to follow. So test out your logic skills here little brudda...

Anonymous said...

life isn't all about syllogisms or logic... if that were the case then we could say:
The Bible condemns sinning. (duh)
Being born is the "source" of sinning.
Therefore...
Abortion? Let's just stop reproducing?

Anonymous said...

it is a valid syllogism, but just because a syllogism is valid doesn't mean it is true.

Keith said...

Two responses,
First, a syllogism by nature is true if it is valid, if there is a problem or the conclusion does not seem to follow- the problem must be either with one's misunderstanding or the syllogism. Being a good existentialist, logic is not everything, but it is not something to take lightly. The disparagement of logic generally comes from those who do not or will not accept its conclusions. Too many Bible "students" hold to a theology which would collapse if they took an introductory course in logic. The church would be much safer if her leaders possesed not only knowledge of the Scripture, but the mental capacities to properly understand that data.

As to my brothers respose, try again. Your logic and your theology are in big need of help. To help you see the problem with your statement, let me ask one simple question: What do we celebrate every December 25?

JD said...

Hint:
Syllogism #1 assumes drinking wine necessitates drunkenness.

Syllogism #2 assumes eating food necessitates gluttony.

However, I can drink wine and not get drunk, and eat food and not get fat.

Anonymous said...

i understand... it makes sense, i guess i just kinda took it a touch on the extreme side... sorry it took me so long to check back in... been mega busy, which is also why my bro hasn't been getting music for a while... sorry, i'll get back on that soon too... i hope... later...

Anonymous said...

haha that is funny

Keith said...

OK,
What was my point in posting this? It was not to just get a chuckle, it was to point out the faulty logic used by many portions of the church to condemn something that Christ does not forbid. There is no question that alcohol can and is abused, but the abuse of a substance does not necessitate the forbidding of the right use. This is more than a matter of simple faulty logic however. To declare a sin something that God has not is a serious matter. It unecessarily binds the conscience of a weak believer, and falsely inhibits the freedom won by Christ for His brothers(of course there are situations where a beliver can and must voluntarily limit his own freedom). Protestants rightly condemn Catholicism's mandate around Lent for all Christians to not eat meat on Friday as a unlawful use of church authority (once again, Lent in and of itself is not a bad thing, and is a valuable discipline when undertaken voluntarily and thoughtfully); however, we must be careful ourselves that we do not fall into the same wrong we condemn, only worse. "Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is recieved with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." So drink your wine in moderation with gladness (if of course you are legally of the proper age), and thank God for his good gift from the vine.