Alabama Baptist Resolution on Gluttony and Self-Control

It’s no secret that Southern Baptists don’t like alcohol.  As someone who has never had a beverage alcohol in my life, I have been quite ashamed and disappointed by the fundamentalism that has elevated drinking wine to that of biblical orthodoxy.  Moreover, with dozens of resolutions coming out in my lifetime, folks have wondered why there hasn’t been a resolution of obesity, gluttony, and lack of self-control among Southern Baptists.

A little over a month ago, my friend Scott Slayton emailed some of us about his desire to draft such a resolution for the 2010 Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting in November.  Much to my surprise, the resolution passed the committee, and even more shocking was that it passed on the floor with a rather large majority.  Here’s to hoping this resolution makes a statement on the importance of caring for our bodies and be willing to call out the elephant in the room (no pun intended).  Here’s the text of the resolution:

Resolution on “Physical Health”

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control found that 31% of the residents in Alabama are obese, which ranks sixth in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Guidestone Financial Resources reports that 73% of Southern Baptist pastors who participated in health screenings at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting were obese; and

WHEREAS, Guidestone Financial Resources estimates that an obese person spends $179,000 more in health care than a person who is not; and

WHEREAS, Obesity is now recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack; and

WHEREAS, Gluttony, which the Bible likens to drunkenness, is a major contributor to obesity (Proverbs 23:20-21); and

WHEREAS, Gluttony is the opposite of self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit;

WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and that we are to be good stewards of our lives and treasures; and

WHEREAS, Our failure to be good stewards of our physical health is a poor witness to our surrounding culture; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Hoover, Alabama, November 16-17, 2010, repent of our lack of self-control, over-indulgence in eating, and failure to be good stewards of our bodily health; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon all Alabama Baptists to model physical health and moderation in eating, giving thanks to God for the gift of food without abusing it; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we call upon pastors to teach their congregations about the biblical standards regarding self- control in eating and bodily stewardship.

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Tags: Alabama Baptist State Convention, Gluttony, Obesity, Resolution, Self-Control

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