eBook In The World, Not of The World epub

Ralph Woodrow was the author of Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern, but he recanted this book in The Babylon Connection?. He also reconsidered his former rejection of Easter and Christmas in Easter: Is It Pagan? and Christmas Reconsidered. He has written many books, such as Great Prophecies of The Bible,Noah's Flood, Joshua's Long Day, & Lucifer's Fall: What Really Happened?,"Three Days And Three Nights" Reconsidered,Reckless Rumors, Misinformation and Doomsday Delusions,Women's Adornment: What Does the Bible Really SAY?, etc.

He says in the first chapter of this 2004 book, “Questions arise about proper standards and where we should draw the line. In the pages that follow, we will discuss a wide range of things---jobs and boycotts, jewelry and makeup, dancing and music, movies and plays, wine and pork, cards and gambling, doctors and medicine---all of which have been linked, one way or another, with standards.” (Pg. 1)

He suggests, “Can a person be too strict? Certainly. Can a person be too lenient? Certainly. Like raising children, neither extreme is fruitful. Wisdom is needed to obtain the BALANCE… Avoiding the extremes, finding the center of God’s will, being biblically balanced—these are the principles we should follow while living ‘in’ the world, but not ‘of’ the world. (Pg. 4)

He points out, “I have sometimes asked the attention-getting question to an audience, ‘What book in the Bible is named after a BARTENDER?’ The answer: the book of Nehemiah. As the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah was the one who ‘took up the wine and gave it unto the king.’ (Neh 1:11-2:1) These were unique circumstances, of course, and he may not have had a choice. Yet, because he was in this position, he was able to obtain the king’s help to repair the walls and gates of Jerusalem.” (Pg. 19)

He notes, “Like the movie theater, the dance hall has also been considered off limits to a Christian, and not without good reason. Dance halls have often simply been places of lust and debauchery. Consequently, many have supposed that dancing IN ANY FORM is wrong. While the Bible mentions dancing associated with idolatry and evil purposes (Exod 32:19, Matt 14:6), many verses speak of dancing in a FAVORABLE light. Among the people of God, dancing was part of victory celebrations, as when Miriam and other women sang, played tambourines, and danced (Exod 15:20; cf. Judges 11:34). So widespread was this custom, in the days of Saul and David, ‘women came out of ALL cities of Israel, singing and dancing… with joy and instruments of music.’ (1 Sam 18:6) There was folk-dancing at annual vintage festivals (Judges 21:19-23). Jesus spoke about the music and dancing at the return of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:25)… The joyful dancing of children is mentioned in Scripture (Job 21:11; Matt 11:17)… in view of the Scriptural evidence, dancing can be good or bad. Instead of a wholesale condemnation, we might better weigh the TYPE of dancing that is involved. Does it reflect a cultural tradition? Is it a form of celebration? Or is it simply a way to make provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof (cf. Rom 13;14)?” (Pg. 31-32)

Of wine, he comments, “Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘John the Baptist same neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard.” … what Jesus said was true: John, following a special diet, did not drink wine; Jesus DID. But … might not ‘wine’ simply mean non-alcoholic grape juice? … I find no reason to believe this was the case. John did not drink ‘wine or OTHER FERMENTED DRINK’ (Lk 1:15, NIV). The wine, then, that he didn’t drink---and Jesus did---was fermented… The statement of Jesus about the bursting of wineskins, clearly shows that FERMENTATION was involved (Matt 9:17;, cf. Josh 9:13)… At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus turned water into wine---somewhere between 120 to 180 gallons. When the man in charge of the feast tasted it… he called groom aside and said, ‘Every man at the beginning sets forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.’ (John 2:10)” (Pg. 39-40)

He states, “Believing in healing through prayer need no conflict with common sense or proper health care. When we know what to do for ourselves, it is not going against God to do it. He COULD brush our teeth and comb our hair---but there are some things he expects us to do.” (Pg. 59)

Woodrow’s opinions are obvious controversial; but his basis and exegesis are clearly and concisely stated---and this book will be of considerable interest to Christians studying these “controversial” areas.

The problem is the writer uses modern version in his writing

Should Christians go to movies? Play cards? Obey Old Testament dietary laws? Go to medical doctors? The author of this book makes valid points about all these things, urging the reader not to get too hung up on externals. His discussions of whether or not Christians may drink alcohol and whether or not they may use medical doctors and whether or not Christians are under obligation to the dietary laws of the Old Testament are very good! Although a small volume, it is very valuable, both in what it covers, and also in the balanced approach he advocates that will be helpful even regarding subjects that the author doesn't specifically address.

This is an excellent little book and a good companion volume to the author's later (and larger) book "A Balanced Christian Discerns Extreme." In both books, the author urges Christians not to "major on minors," and to strive for a balanced Christian life in all areas. In both books he effectively uses the Bible, common sense, humor and stories to make his points.