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I’m busy reading a book called “6 rules every man must break”, by Bill Perkins – which “challenges you to follow Jesus’ example: Refuse to be handcuffed by rules that aren’t God-given”. I’m only up to chapter 3 so far, but really enjoing it. I thought I’d share some things that stood out for me so far:

The Rule of Abstinence
Some Christians argue that because alcohol is so easily abused, a godly Christian would never drink it. But if you follow that line of logic, you’ll also conclude that since sex is so easily abused by so many peaopl, a godly Christian would also abstain from all sexual activity. Or since money can so easily corrupt, a godly Christian will stay poor, or become poor if he’s rich. Yet nobody would say that about sex or money. God intended money, sex and alcohol to be blessings to man. And they are a source of blessing when used within the boundry of his moral law.
(page 31)

Bill also talks alot about Christian “add-on” rules, and how dangers they are. For example:

Other Christian Add-on Rules
I could provide a lengthy list of spiritual rules that would be as varied as the groups that enforce them. I know believers who judge others based on such things as:

* musical preference
* clothing style
* expressions of worship
* health (poor health shows lack of faith)
* wealth
* dancing
* hairstyle
* politcal views
* body piercing and tattoos

Of course the immediate response by many who insist on these standards is predictable: “If youdon’t live like that, unbelievers will view Christians as no different than the world.”

If you think that way I hate to burst your bubble, but unbelievers don’t care. It’s irrelevant to them how much you give to your church, whether you enjoy an occasional glass of wine, or whether you read your Bible every day. They care a lot more about how you treat them when they work as a chasier at the grocery store, or how you behave at your child’s sporting events, or whether you give to the drive to raise money for a local charity.
(page 36)