I am amazed with the Thomas Rhett song, which he wrote with Lance Miller and Rick Huckaby, Beer With Jesus. It was 21st on the country charts in December and still played today. Here’s an intriguing report about the song:
The core complaint with ‘Beer With Jesus’ lies in the direct conflict between religion and alcohol, a dichotomy that is distilled in most major Christian belief systems. Rhett acknowledges that the track even conflicts with his own upbringing as member of a predominant religious group.
“I grew up Church of Christ,” the singer-songwriter spills. “You’re taught that beer is wrong and alcohol is wrong.”
It wasn’t until the 22-year-old singer moved out on his own that he was fully able to form his own personal belief system, deciphering the differences between his lifestyle choices and the religious values he was raised on. Rhett’s personal growth lead to the writing of ‘Beer With Jesus,’ which was penned with Music Row songwriters Lance Miller and Rick Huckaby.
Clever use of the word “distilled”, almost a pun! But the deep meaning is this: This song calls out to the deep desire of every heart for a relationship with Almighty God. And you can have it! Go here for details. But if you are a follower of Christ Jesus, you can be Jesus to another who is hurting:
“Those moments stick out in my mind because those were some of the best conversations I had with my buddies … just getting below the surface and talking about deeper life stuff and things that matter,” Rhett says of his inspiration, recalling a life-changing campfire conversation with a beer in-hand (quote via Valory Music Group).
So it is my prayer that every time the song Beer With Jesus plays that someone will cry out for that and the Holy Spirit will say something like, “Here’s how you can have a personal relationship with God…” We need revival in our nation today.
About Elwood Sanders
Elwood "Sandy" Sanders is a Hanover attorney who is an Appellate Procedure Consultant for Lantagne Legal Printing and has written ten scholarly legal articles. Sandy was also Virginia's first Appellate Defender and also helped bring curling in VA! (None of these titles imply any endorsement of Sanders’ views)
Christ sat with sinners and drank wine. So much so that “Religous Leaders” called Him a winebibber.
Some would argue that was Christ and it was okay for Him but not us. I don’t think that Christ is a hypocrite. He would be like; “do as I say not as I do”.
If drinking wine or beer (alcohol) is wrong, sinful would Christ cause others to sin?
The first recorded Miracle in the new testament is Christ turning water to wine at a wedding party. Did Christ cause those at the wedding party to sin? I think not. Sin begins in the heart. That’s why alcohol is not good for some, because their heart is weak and easily turned. Drinking beer or wine in and of itself is not a sin. What goes into a man does not defile the man. It’s the thoughts of the heart that defile.
Peace to all
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandySanders2
says:
Steve: Thanks for coming by. I do feel it is the abuse of alcohol that violates Scripture although my denomination is more strict and as a leader in that denomination at the church level I totally abstain from alcoholic beverages. But my point is that first, followers of Jesus can be Jesus to someone who needs to hear the message or is hurting – “have a beer” with them. Certainly can be a root beer! Second, people need a relationship with God through Jesus and are craving for it. May they find Him. “Seek and you shall find…” (Sandy translation of Matt 7:7)
“…people need a relationship with God through Jesus and are craving for it. May they find Him.”
Amen to that!