Question:  Dear Greg,

            My brother had a birthday party at a Dance Club.  I did not go because of the type of place it is (heavy drinking, smoke-filled room, dance music, all types of people, etc.).  The party was in a separate room within the Club, but I still did not think it was appropriate for me to attend. 

            My mother said that Jesus attended a party (the wedding where water was turned into wine), so it would have been appropriate for me to go if I had wanted to.  Would it have been OK for me to attend the party if I did not participate in the activities?

            Thank you,

            Kristina

Answer:  Dear Kristina,

            Your question is difficult to answer with a “yes” or “no” because of many issues.  First of all, the Bible gives a general principle, at the end of a long chapter about those who are weak in the faith and those who are strong.  The principle is simply: “…everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23 ).

            If you were convicted that it was wrong to go to the place in question, you were right not to go.

            However, the question may be more than that—i.e., where did your conviction come from?  If it is from the Bible, is it worthwhile to re-consider your feelings?  Further, how important was your presence?  Was your brother really looking forward to your attendance?  If so, were you able to tell him that you didn’t feel comfortable attending his party in the place he had chosen or that someone else had selected?

            Heavy drinking, dance music and smoking are mentioned as elements that contributed to your decision not to go.  Many Christians would agree that biblical reasons exist to avoid (at least to some degree) two of these issues.

1.      Heavy drinking.  The Bible condemns the abuse of alcohol, but there are positive examples, such as the one your mother mentioned, of the use of wine in moderation (and don’t fall for the explanation that wine in the Bible was not wine—wine is wine).  On the other hand, those who want to drink too much should not use the fact that Jesus created wine at the wedding party as a biblically justified excuse.  The Bible also gives the principle that anyone may choose not to drink at all, for whatever reason, and if they do choose not to drink, it is wise for them not to be around drinking in any form.

2.      Dance music.  While some Christian denominations condemn music of all kinds and others condemn certain kinds of music, such condemnations and “rules” are on extra-biblical grounds.  They are based on the opinions and traditions of human beings.  Nothing in the Bible condemns music, per se.

3.      Smoking.  No doubt that smoking can cause cancer.  Many choose to avoid smoking and second-hand smoke on those grounds.  Such a stance for Christians is appropriate.  It is not absolutely certain, from the Bible, that smoking is a sin.  Again, denominations vary on this topic.  It is certain that it is unhealthy and a risky behavior.  However, if we try to force the Bible into saying that smoking is a sin, then there would be any number of modern, processed and fast foods, loaded with sodium, sugar and fats that have also been proven harmful to our health and they too would have to be labeled as sin.

            So as you can see, it is difficult for us to say “yes” or “no” to your question.  There are many issues you need to consider about such a decision.  May God bless you, Kristina, and thanks for allowing PTM to be of help.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht