Christian rules

DarkProphet said:

So I was talking a friend that went to a Christian high school and Christian college. He was commenting that both, even the college, imposed many rules to make people more Christian. Right down to how you were to dance. He mentioned this because he went back to his high school reunion and they STILL imposed those rules on the adults. It was the same at the college level.

Now if God gave us free will and if free will is supposed to be such a great gift why do Christians insist on trying to restrict it with such arbitrary rules?

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You should really qualify this as some Christians. Not all Christians try to impose rules and restrictions. I know exactly the kind of schools you're talking about though- I could never have attended. However, I attended churches like this. They were big proponents of the old 'I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't chew, and I don't go with boys who do' mindset. You couldn't dance either unless you were somehow 'slain in the spirit' to do so. I grew up afraid to do anything because I was taught to worry what the neighbors and the folks at church thought of me if I ever cut a rug or drank a glass of wine at dinner.

Anyway, I've gone from that to a church that has some awesome ethnic fairs at which there is drinking and dancing- in moderation of course.

Outward rules dont change a person. They just restrict a person.

The holy spirit inside slowly gently changes what we want. I dont walk so good anymore but if I did I would dance like the kids do. I love the modern Christian music also. If it is of God it cannot be bad.

I am free.

Hi Dark Prophet, the gospel of Christ hangs between two thieves. On one side is legalism, rules, rules rules, and on the other side is lawlessness, turning the law of liberty into a license to sin. As we try to achieve the best balance, we often veer too far to one side or the other.

Did God give us free will, defined as the ability to make choices that result in alternate outcomes? I think the answer is yes. That is certainly what I understand the Bible to teach. God sets before us the choice between life and death and begs us to choose life. "Be reconciled to God." If, when we choose, the outcome is foreordained or predetermined if you will, then that redefines the meaning of "choice" to mean "non-choice."