Categories: Christian Commentary

Why I can wear a cotton shirt and still be a Christian.

I find it frustrating when I read or hear columnists, pundits, or journalists dismiss Christians as inconsistent because “they pick and choose which of the rules in the Bible to obey.” What I hear most often is “Christians ignore lots of Old Testament texts—about not eating raw meat or pork or shellfish, not executing people for breaking the Sabbath, not wearing garments woven with two kinds of material and so on. Then they condemn homosexuality. Aren’t you just picking and choosing what they want to believe from the Bible?”

The short answer is no.

And honestly if I did, I could think of much meatier things to selectively not follow than those. For example, I mean let us be real here. Wouldn’t it be easier to get rid of the scriptures that deal with covetousness and fornication and adultery? Let’s just throw out the scriptures on sex. Wouldn’t that be more realistic and pleasurable? I think you would agree that there are many more scriptures we would love to selectively follow then weather I can wear a cotton shirt or grow a beard a certain length. Then I’d be free to just enjoy my lustful cravings and conspicuous consumption at will, and still be a Christian!

But the reality is that such objections are red herrings to distract from the moral questions often raised by Christians or to ridicule a Christian’s faith. The objection also fails to understand or perhaps chooses not too understand the difference between the moral laws of God versus those societal laws given to Israel.

The truth of the matter is that the Bible makes it clear that the Christian is no longer bound by those Old testament standards. We are under a “new covenant”. A new set of standards that supersede and are higher than those given in the Old Testament. We are instead bound by a higher code. The love of Christ.

The fact of the matter is that the Old Testament law with all its sacrifices and ceremony was never designed to be permanent in the first place.

Lk 16:16, The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Rom 10:4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of the law. Hebrews 10:1-18 does an excellent job of explaining the Law and its intent to make us aware of our moral/spiritual inadequacy and its design to lead us to Christ. The law is designed to simply make us aware of our sin, but was never intended to solve the sin issue.

And let’s face it. It’s the issue of sin that gets everyone up into a tizzy. The idea that something is in error with my behavior, thoughts, etc.; is not exactly the most politically acceptable message to communicate in this day and age. Do not get me wrong. I am not saying that Christians are perfect.

But a recovering alcoholic can recognize another alcoholic. The recovering individual is not condemning the person who has a current problem. He is trying to help the person out to see that his behavior is destructive. And despite his desire to want another drink, and even his freedom to do so, his behavior has destructive consequences on his relationships, and society at large. The Christian merely says the same thing, weather the topic is abortion, marriage, etc. The issue is our perspective. How many times have you attempted to “intervene” with someone who needed help? Did they always appreciate it? Did they project that you are better than they were? Often Christians are accused of judging others.

The Christian is someone who knows that if it were not for the transformative power of Christ they too would be hitting the bottle, and commit to acts of self-destruction or hurt to others.

What shall we then say to these things? If you disagree with an idea, instead of attacking the person, instead of the argument…instead of responding to objections by straying into subject matters that are not related to the topic at hand; why don’t we simply reason together?

It is amazing what you might learn from a Christian who wears cotton shirts.

Donovan

Donovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.