Disputable Matters and Stumbling Blocks
Welcome back; it is a blessing to know you have joined us again. Today, we will conclude the book of Romans, reading chapters 14–16.
One of the most popular shows on television in the last twenty years was The Big Bang Theory. The show focuses on a group of geniuses who work at the California Institute of Technology. A beautiful blonde actress moved in next door, and they spent the next decade watching Leonard entice Penny into falling in love with him. (1) The show is morally bankrupt, has many cringy moments, but overall is enjoyable entertainment.
A fundamental Christian church, similar to the one we first served at, would condemn us for watching this show. When our son was growing up, the Harry Potter books and movies became popular, and we didn’t let him read or watch them. J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter Series (London: Bloomsbury, 1997–2007).(2) We heard they promoted a positive view of witchcraft, which the Bible says we should avoid (Deuteronomy 18:10–12).
These verses today speak to these issues. When is something wrong, and how do you draw those lines? Then the bigger issue: how should you approach this with other believers and even non-believers in a way that will not cause them to stumble or prevent them from coming to Christ (Romans 14:13)?
You can then take this up a level and look at the differences between denominations. I have encountered Seventh-day Adventists who were condemning me for worshipping on Sunday. These verses say we should not “major in the minors,” as my pastor says (Romans 14:5–6).
Liberty, Conscience, and Love
I will have an occasional beer or glass of whiskey, even while having dinner with my pastor and his wife. Because I would have them when I am not around them, I had to ask myself the question Paul raises here: Do I feel it is a sin for me to have one or two drinks (Romans 14:14)?
I believe drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians 5:18). God wants us to be in control of ourselves. Certainly, driving intoxicated would be a sin because we are to respect the laws of the land in which we live (Romans 13:1). But, because I wouldn’t do either of those things—for me personally, I do not consider a few drinks every month to be a sin.
Would it be a sin for me to drink if I were around a person who struggled with alcoholism? Perhaps not a sin, but it may cause them to stumble; therefore it would be wrong of me (Romans 14:21). We like things to be black and white, but they are not always that way. Many things are conditional.
I avoid carbohydrates and focus heavily on animal-based proteins in my diet. It is not completely a carnivore diet, but very close. I lost over sixty pounds eight years ago, and have kept that weight off and maintained good health following this plan. For my wife and me, it works.
When we go to a friend’s house and they serve pasta, we enjoy the meal with them, and we don’t mind eating those carb-heavy foods. If we made a big deal of condemning them for their choices, they would not be open to hearing our views on Jesus or anything else (Romans 14:19).
Pop Culture and Convictions
In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is a high-functioning but socially awkward physicist. He likes to force his opinion of everything on people. This turns them off and causes resentment. The origins of his personality are further explored in a spinoff show called Young Sheldon. He skipped many years of school and graduated from college when he was fourteen years old. (3) He was only nine when he started high school. This explains his social struggles.
It makes for a charming show, but not so much a charming adult person. Like the Harry Potter stories, I see their charm as well. However, it would be a sin to promote witchcraft. These verses point out that we should not be so opinionated about something which is not salvational, to the point we would keep a non-believer from coming to know the love of Christ (Romans 14:23).
What Really Matters
We must be discerning in all things, knowing and obeying Jesus, and understanding what is not important. If we focus too much on our own rules, even if scripture reflects and supports them, we have to evaluate whether those issues are the hill we want to die on. Will being right about a show or a book be worth missing the opportunity to share the Gospel (Romans 15:2, Romans 15:7)?
Paul wanted to go to Spain (Romans 15:24, 28). Some church history suggests that he made a final mission journey there after being released in Rome. (4) But we don’t have proof within scripture. Others say something stopped him from completing that mission.
What might we be doing that will prevent, or even inhibit, others from learning about Jesus? Shouldn’t that be our primary mission in life (Romans 15:13–14)?
Footnotes
- The Big Bang Theory, created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, CBS Television, 2007–2019.
- J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter Series (London: Bloomsbury, 1997–2007).
- Young Sheldon, Season 6, Episode 22, CBS Television, 2023.
- Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 5:7, in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. Bart D. Ehrman (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003).