Featured BJU Prof Randy Jaeggli's book on alcohol

The nature of a resolution is that it gives the opinion of the messengers and is not binding. I think you'd have to look at rules set by trustees or something like that to find something that is actually binding.

ADDED: See Jerome above for an example of how it can be implemented.

 

Southern Baptist Evangelists Denominational Endorsement Application:

www.sbcevangelist.org/downloads/Application.pdf

"...I have never been terminated from a job for immoral conduct. • I do not currently drink alcoholic beverages, use illegal drugs, or abuse prescription drugs. • I do not use nor condone profanity. • I do not practice fornication, adultery, homosexuality, nor any kind of illicit or immoral sexual activity. • I am not a pedophile..."

 

I have no issue with any of that. A congregation or entity restricting pastors, elders, teachers, missionaries, etc.

It's just restricting basic church membership based on alcohol use (not blatant drunkiness) that seems wrong to me.

 

Don't think there is a biblical prohibition on alcolhol, as the Jews enjoyed wine, and Jesus did give out best wine in wedding... Just prohibited from drinking to excess, to be controlled by it, or also not to partake if it offends another Christian, or tempts them to fall back into it!

 

If you don't agree with your church's covenant, you can just ignore, reinterpret, or 'spin' it, according to 9Marks:

https://www.9marks.org/answer/how-s...ovenant-or-church-constitution-you-inherit-n/

That's what my 'Reformed Baptist' pastor did. We had a no-beverage-alcohol covenant, but he was assuring new members that the church wouldn't intervene unless they got arrested for drunk driving.

 

So what are the biblically valid reasons for denying church membership?

I can see sexual immorality, unrepentant sins, and drunkenness in scripture. And doctrinal issues, such as denying the trinity or denying believers baptism. But I don't see the doctrine of teetotalism in the Bible.

I just don't see where I have any authority to deny membership to someone based off of something that isn't by itself a sin. Though again, plenty of gray area for regulating its use which I don't deny.

 

Thanks, I'll do some studying on that passage, hopefully soon but time permitting.

 

That would NOT be an area where one would be denied membership in my church, as the pastor himself supports choosing none or some are both valid options!

 

True, and each local church would have the leeway to decide this issue, its just that thescriptures are not black and white forbidding it!