Biblical Partying
Everyone who is churched knows that most partying is wrong, especially partying with liquor. Some folks who claim to be part of many denominations of Christianity ignore this, and have a good time. Other folks refuse to attend parties with liquor unless they are attending weddings. (Few will give up a chance to attend a wedding!)
Some denominations condemn dancing, considering it lewd (though some of these denominations promote dancing in their isles on Sunday), other denominations prohibit their members from using alcohol (except perhaps as part of a medicine’s formulation). The term partying normally describes a ‘get-together’ in which dancing and loud music are central and alcohol is consumed.
Many denominations of Christianity consider the Law of Moses very restrictive and impossible to keep, claiming that Christ came to ‘do away with’ it and to bring in a new way that was not ‘legalistic’. The following is a quote from the Law:
Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe [remove a tenth] all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year. 23And thou shalt eat the tithe of thy grain, of thy wine and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks before Yehovah thy God in the place that He shall choose to place His name there so that thou wilt learn to fear Yehovah thy God always. 24And if the way be too long for thee so that thou art not able to carry it, or if the place that Yehovah thy God shall choose to set His name there be too far from thee, when Yehovah thy God hath blessed thee, 25then shalt thou turn it into money and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place that Yehovah thy God shall choose. 26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusts after—for oxen or for sheep or for wine or for strong drink or for whatsoever thy soul desires! And thou shalt eat there before Yehovah thy God! And thou shalt rejoice—thou and thine household 27and the Levite who is within thy gates—thou shalt not forsake him. For he has no part or inheritance with thee. 28At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates. 29And the Levite (because he has no part or inheritance with thee) and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are within thy gates shall come and shall eat and be satisfied so that Yehovah thy God will bless thee in all the work of thine hand that thou doest.
The Biblical God mandated this party (that included liquor) to teach Israel to fear Yehovah; it was required for Yehovah to bless Israel in all the work of Israel’s hand.
“But aren’t Christians now commanded to tithe at least 10% of their income for the support of God’s work?”
The only Biblical form of tithing is food. The only time money was involved was to make transportation easy. Food items were sold and turned to money; when the tithers reached the place where Yehovah put His Name, the tithers then used every bit of the money to purchase food and drink items for the party.
Certain guests had to be invited, including the Levites (who served ministerially among the Jews), sojourners (folks traveling through Israel who were temporarily staying in Israel), orphans and widows. These guests were staying on the tither’s land.
“Well, now we are supposed to give of our income to promote God’s kingdom!”
Giving money has nothing to do with Biblical tithing. Biblical tithing never promoted any kingdom. The Biblical God needs no promotional help. He will set up His kingdom when He is ready.
“What would happen if all the churches believed the way you did? They would all have to close!”
I would respond by asking, “What would happen if all the churches taught what the Bible said just as it is written?” Many would close, because a lot of folks just don’t like Jews. They wouldn’t want to hear sermon after sermon declaring how the Biblical God has made Israel irrevocably central to His plan, how He will provide salvation to Israel from Gentile enemies and sin, and how He will provide some Gentiles with salvation through the Jews.
John 4:22 Salvation is of the Jews.
Most seminaries would have to close, because even ones that are ‘pro-Israel’ would have to stop teaching that the ‘Church’ has replaced Israel either permanently or for the time being, and they would quit using all their commentaries, including ones that claim to take the texts literally (discovering that taking texts literally is one ‘crime’ of which they are not guilty.)
Tell me, Dear Reader, is the ‘Tithing’ text of Deuteronomy 14 cited above so hard to understand? Would it require a ‘rocket scientist’ to unravel the mysteries of this text? Or did you understand the basics of the text, finding it pretty easily understood? If you understood it without much difficulty, tell me, why don’t commentaries that are thick and well worded, that cost $95 and are written by folks with enough degrees to start their own university, expose this one simple text the way it is written?
“Are you saying that this ‘Biblical Party’ is to be a wild drinking party?”
The Law gives no license for sin. All who participate in this party are commanded to live righteously. This party teaches the fear of Yehovah. Stating that this party would promote sin would be accusing Yehovah the God of Israel of promoting sin in a commandment, which would be an act of blasphemy against this God. Traditions that view alcohol as inherently evil because some folks become drunkards and certain races are genetically unable to properly handle a small amount of alcohol disagree with the Biblical record. No tradition should ever mandate any individual to drink alcohol; some cannot take it, and others have made themselves alcoholics. Claiming that alcohol is an evil, however, when the Bible shows that it can be a benefit, is like claiming that a plant that God created for man’s benefit is truly an evil creation just because some folks are allergic to it or misuse it.
So, when will you plan your next tithing party? The Israelis must wait for the reestablishment of the Levitical Priests in a rebuilt Temple.