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You Make the Call – Episode 3
Posted by Geoff Baggett in IMPACT Features
You make the call … on singing about alcohol …
A Christian has the opportunity to earn some extra income by playing guitar for a local “cover” band. The band plays at restaurants, music venues, and private parties.
The band plays covers of dozens of hit songs from the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s … even a country tune or two. But, by far, one of the most popular, most requested, songs at every event is the Jimmy Buffett classic, “Margaritaville.”
What should this believer do?
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My life is to honor the One who created me, saved me, and sustains me…this does not bring Him Glory and as such–this earthly body will not participate and will have the faith to believe that extra income will be earned elsewhere without bringing dishonor to His Name.
Play.
If I were in this band, I might have trouble regularly playing Margaritaville.
On the other hand, I know a lot of Metallica riffs, and I love to try to play Stevie Ray Vaughan stuff.
I would only have trouble with Margaritaville because it treats alcohol as a good thing. Songs which are honest about alcohol might make me react differently.
This believer would not have that song in my repertoire, so that when it was requested one would simply say, “We don’t have that one.” A few of us have actually had to make choices similar to this. Did not the Bible say, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Personally, I could not sing about the fun of alcohol to the glory of God.
I respect others decisions in matters like this, but this one’s not on my radar. I’d play it.
Brothers and Sisters,
If I remember the words to this tune the chorus says; Wasted away again in Margaritaville, searching for my lost shaker of salt. Some people say there is a woman to blame, but I know, it’s my own d_ _ _ _ fault
If I took on the stand of moderation, which I do not, my argument would be that I only drink but not get drunk. I find in this song words of encouragement for something that I have openly stated is not scriptural. Would this not be the same as a Christian woman going to a strippers club in order to witness and someone notices she has a great body and asks her to be in the amateur night line-up and she decides it will be ok because she is “stripping for the glory of God”?
Blessings,
Tim
This is a very interesting question. A few points:
The first thing I notice is that the Christian in question is seeking “extra” income. This implies his basic needs are covered, the family is not starving, etc. This makes me wonder what he intends to do with the additional money earned from playing in the band. Perhaps that time would be better used in other ways: playing with his children, helping in a church ministry, whatever. Certainly we all have to work, but at some point the pursuit of additional income turns into greed. This is sinful even apart from the alcohol issue.
As for alcohol, one question is whether performing “Margaritaville” actually leads people to overindulge. My guess is that those who are inclined to get drunk will do so whether they hear the song or not. That doesn’t make it right to encourage them, though.
It is probably useful to recall that the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner” came from a well-known English drinking song of the time. We don’t think of it thay way anymore, obviously. But should early American Christians have refused to sing the song because it had sinful connotations?
To me the key question is how often they play “Margaritaville” and under what circumstances. If it is rare and the band normally plays more edifying music, then the good that comes from the Christian being a witness in public might outweigh the risk that someone will get the wrong idea. Since the example says they must play it frequently, then he should probably find some other way to use his talents.
Looking at this objectively, and I would say this regardless of who stated it: No one has come up with anything better than point number 1.
If the Star Spangled Banner had WORDS that I found offensive, I wouldn’t sing it. And since when does the frequency of something have anything to do with whether one should do it or not? Some of these answers are “just not on my radar.”
John, if it is only the WORDS of a song that render it acceptable or unacceptable, I take it you have no problem with Christian rap?
Conversely, if I go to a foreign mission field where no one knows the words to “Margaritaville”, can I turn it into a praise song?
Dude, I love Christian rap, some artists have real God honoring, Christ exalting lyrics. Look up the artist Lecrae and you’ll see a solid Reformed guy with slammin’ beats. It’s all about the words man, sure, take that drinking song to people who don’t know the words and transform a song of nothing to a song of praise. Good thoughts Patrick, I agree with both!
John Daly,
Great words. I agree with you.
BTW, you used to be very good at golf.
David
OK. So what if the person in our example doesn’t actually sing Margaritaville?
Suppose all he does is play the tune on his guitar, while other people sing whatever lyrics they wish. Or maybe he sings the God-honoring alternate lyrics I wrote for him.
Is he still doing something wrong?
Brother Patrick,
I am not trying to be divisive. I have to say that in order to let you know that it does seem as we keep pushing this line of thinking that we are trying something I learned as a new Christian. An older Christian that discipled me told me that the Christian walk was like a road. The ditches one either side told us we were in sin. The shoulders of the road warned us that we were about to enter the point of no return. The white lines were warnings that we were about to enter into an area of sin. Our job was not to drive on the white line but remain off of the white line. The white line was not there for us to navigate by it was there for us to remind us of the dangers that awaited us on the other side.
It seems that your question points us to navigating by the white lines instead of heading the warning of the white that the ditch is on the other side.
Blessings,
Tim
Tim,
I’ve certainly heard this argument many times and I appreciate the sentiment behind it that we ought to take care not to tempt ourselves to sin. Instead we need to be responsible with our liberty.
However, the danger in this illustration is legalism. The danger comes when we begin to define for others where the white lines necessarily are. We certainly need to define them for ourselves, and we certainly can agree that the message of this particular song promotes the idolization of alcohol, but I’ve seen so many times where we preach the white lines as we define them as if they were the ditch.
As noted in my initial comment, I agree with John that our imaginary musician should not take this job.
I also agree with Brad that the logic behind this can lead to legalism. Taken to extremes, we can end up withdrawing from the world completely. If you stay off the road you don’t have to worry about how close the stripe and ditch are. That’s not good either.
If Christ could touch lepers and eat with tax collectors, it seems to me we should be able to find a balance on these things. We can be in the world but not of it. The trick is how to apply that principle in particular situations – which is why this post is interesting.
I did a little of this in college back in the late 70′s and early 80′s at Oklahoma State. I sang and a friend – who could play anything with strings on it – would play and come in on harmony.
Two problems: first, most of the club managers wanted to pay us VERY little but we could have all the free beer we could drink. Not a good deal for two non-drinkers.
The second problem was we always seemed to be one week behind another, more talented college student. “You guys were good… but that Garth guy we had last week was GREAT!”.
I’ve never met Garth Brooks, but to this day I just can’t listen to him.
Brother Brad,
Please understand that I am not defining where the white lines are. I freely admit that our liberty is within the white lines. While we are free to move about the road and we are also free to go into the ditch. Would you not agree that the ditch is where our freedom ends? I would be so bold to say that the shoulder is where our freedom ends. We are free in Christ, but does that mean we are free to sin?
Also, as to a person doing the singing in a bar and that song even being Margaritaville, that is an issue of personal decisions. I am not going to decide for someone else what they should be doing. At the same time, that person should not hold against me my conviction that the type of behavior we are speaking of is not something I could endorse or even allow on staff.
Blessings,
Tim
The “allow on staff” bit kinda flies in the face of “I’m not going to decide for someone else.” If it’s only a personal conviction and you’re not deciding for “others”, what right do “I” have to impose the rule on “my staff”????
I pretty well know the pat answer, but I would like to point out the significant irony in that train of thought.
Took this discussion offline today and bounced it around with some folks. Thought about it all day. So I come back with this profound comment.
We got to get out more, guys.
When you get to the point you’re freaking over playing Margaritaville, you are looking for hedges around the law. When you hit 613 of them I think you win longer tassels or something.
David
David,
No one is “freaking,” and thanks for calling me a Pharisee. Brother Tim and I simply “Made the Call.” You made your call…so be it. I’m simply trying to use this vapor of a life, this broken earthen vessel for the One who has pardoned me from the wrath to come. I apologize if my choices don’t meet with your approval. Only 612 to go.
Unfortunately I was extremely busy yesterday and did not have the time to comment on this post. So, a day later and a dollar short, but here it goes.
Goeff,
This is kind of tough. One because the song is a very popular and catchy song, and two because the song itself is talking about being “wasted”. Just thinking about the song had me singing it during the day. Here’s the thing, I don’t quite thing that this particular song glorifies getting drunk, or even drinking. Drunk people may like the song, but (in my opinion) I really think the intention of the song was to reveal more about the human condition. This song is not a happy one. I think that’s why it appeals to so many, because it is true to life for a lot of people.
I’m a very black and white guy, I’ll usually try to force everything into one of those two categories. After considering this song, I have to say it’s really grey to me. I won’t be offended if someone does play, and I won’t be surprised if someone does not play.
Just my thoughts.
God’s Glory,
Lew
The Pursuit Online Store
John,
What you said in #20.
Rob
I guess I must be confused. I see the majority of our worldwide brothers and sisters in Christ living in the freedom of walking in the Spirit, and I see our little band ever tightening the rules and I wonder who’s on the right track.
We keep expanding the written and unwritten ones, and eventually we wind up with no reason to trust Christ in us, we just pull out our laminated card of dos and don’ts. Apparently there will be a song list added at some point to the beverage list, the TV list, the movie list, the book list, and all the other lists. Maybe someone could just publish them all on playing cards like they did with Sadaam’s henchmen.
Oh, I forgot. Playing cards is on the list too.
Brother David,
So, just to make certain we do not publish TV lists, let me ask a question and you make the call.
I am wanting to do a Bible study for couples. I invite them over for a Bible study on fidelity in marriage. For the warm-up to the Bible study we view a showing of “Desperate Housewives” and the new summer show “Swingtown”. We have the discussion of critiquing the failures of these various lifestyles but some of the couples disagree. They respond that we are being legalistic and narrow minded to think that couples cannot increase their intimacy by enjoying a relationship found in an open marriage. As a result of this “Bible study” some of the couples begin open relationships with their marriages. Here is the question. Would God hold me accountable for these couples transgressions?
Brother Geoff,
I like these “you make the call” posts.
Blessings,
Tim
David,
Hyperbole gets you no where.
What is the standard? “Whatsoever you eat, or drink, or whatever you do do all for the glory of God.” The question remains – can one give God the glory while singing the song in question? Or watching movies that contain blasphemy?
We have no need for laminated cards – God’s Word is sufficient to give us the ins and outs, the do’s and don’t s, those things that are either embraced or avoided, and the standard to discern the tough areas in between.
Are you now standing in judgment of others? It seems you are yourself doing what you condemn in others – while John and Tim are merely “making the call.” Right? How am I wrong in this analysis?
Rob
Yes, I can give God the glory while singing Margaritaville, or Purple Haze, or Paint it Black, or the Thrill Is Gone or ….
No I probably wouldn’t direct them to watch those two shows. But I have used Desperate Housewives as illustration material for what not to do.
I wasn’t aware of any promotions that have come through for me. The chain of command is pretty flat – God and everyone else, so this believer/priest will wait for instructions from Him.
This yoke you are wearing seems burdensome to me. That’s all I’m saying. It doesn’t seem in harmony with the Freedom we have in Christ and finds it with those He so frequently was at odds with.
Rob,
I understand the point you are trying to make, but Paul didn’t say “Only do those things that bring glory to God” he said “all that you do, do it for the glory of God”. Based on that verse alone, the answer that Paul would surely give is, Yes, one can give God the glory while singing the song in question. Yes, one can give God the glory while watching movies that contain blasphemy.
But only if they are giving God the glory while doing those things.
I would suggest using another verse.
God’s Glory,
Lew
Tim,
Shall we continue to sin? May it never be.
I did not intend to insinuate that you were necessarily drawing boundaries for others. I simply have heard this illustration (or others like it) used to fix boundaries of holiness for others that go beyond what the Bible says. Every single one of us must know our selves and our weaknesses to know where our white lines are. Glad we seem to agree on this.
David,
Great! Allow other believer/priests to do the same without judging our motives. We too wish to give God the glory. We cannot do it singing songs that put His creation into willful hopelessness and despair through drinking (Margaritaville) or paying Hollywood entertainment dollars to belt out blasphemous language defaming the Lord and His mighty name (see Exodus 20). More power to ya! But somehow the image of glorifying God and singing “Sympathy to the Devil” escapes me.
Lew – another set of verses for you:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Phillipians 4:8-9. If we focus on drunken riotous living in both song and life, are we focusing on that which is honorable and excellent? When we pay money to hear blasphemy are we doing anything worthy of praise?
Rob
I guess what I’m saying is this: the Christian life is more like a country road where there is just road and ditch and we have to decide for ourselves how close to the ditch is safe for our driving. When we start preaching white lines as fixed standards, we go beyond the Bible.
Rob, it’s five o’clock somewhere. Lighten up.
I won’t judge your motives, just comment on the results among the churches. That seems to me to be a life lived in fear of sinning instead of a life lived out loud for God. Heaven forbid. You stick with your church model, I’ll be in Galatia.
Rob,
Good verse, I was only suggesting using another verse… I wasn’t saying your point was wrong.
God’s Glory,
Lew
Well I just finished my lunch run wearing my christianrunners.org racing singlet. It’s fairly noticeable and whenever I wear any Christian shirts, many looks, and some not so nice one’s, come my way. I work in a Federal building with 29 different agencies so chances are good that many people I don’t know have seen me.
Let’s say for example on Friday night I’m up on stage singing Buffet and someone says: “Hey, that’s the dude from the Federal building, the one who runs with the Christian stuff, what’s he doing singing that?” And his buddy says, “Ah, just another phony.”
Trying to watch my life and doctrine, that’s all folks.
John,
I’m not sure whose side you’re fighting for
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Jesus said, “You will know my sheep by the shoes and shirts they wear.” But don’t worry… I saw him eating with those nasty sinners. What a phony.
God’s Glory,
Lew
P.S. When I was lost, I didn’t care if Christians did things that other Christians didn’t approve of.
I laughed when I read that John. Used to have a neighbor that was an FBI agent. he and I used to run together when I worked for P&G. I swapped him one of my “satanic” logo t shirts for an FBI hat. I wore it once. Someone tried to run over me. I gave it back and told him I didn’t want the hat unless I had the authority that goes with it.
Could I suggest that by wearing your Christianity outwardly that you are placing the focus on what you do or don’t do rather than what Christ is and has done?
In your hypothetical, you set it up by putting the attention on you rather than Christ and we’re all going to fail, and someone will usually be there to see it. You can of course try hard to make choices that never allow you to fail, and I commend you for working hard to make that happen. Sounds like you are really serious about your walk.
But you’ll have to be if you take that path. Again, it’s your choice. I’m not telling you what to do. I absolutely think you are sincere and have no doubt you’ll be nearer the front than I’ll be in heaven.
It’s just so much of what we restrict, and so much of what we do, seems to me to put barriers up that make it harder to reach people like in your example.
Please read this as something I’d rather toss around with you over lunch and not a serious doctrinal disagreement.
Shalom,
David
I’d love to have lunch with you and I’m sincerely glad you got a chuckle out of my comment. And it would also be cool to go for a run together. And brother David, you need not worry about my Christian running shirt, you’d be way, way, too far behind to read any of it.
David,
Thanks for the advice. Just remember where you are posting at
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Rob
I ran a 15:18 last 5K, John. And I get to start way out front given my advanced age at this point in time.
Pictured in my mind are patrons of the establishment lifting margarita glasses to the sky to worship the spirit in the bottle. When the band plays, they lead all into worship.