Cannabis and the Christian
by Todd Miles | Book Summary
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Author: Todd Miles
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Part of the challenge in answering this question is the fact that "the Bible does not specifically address marijuana, either positively or negatively" (p. 4). However, "the Bible has much to say about things like discipleship, wisdom, mind-altering substances, human needs, human frailty, stewardship, creation, and addiction" (p. 5). Christians must approach the Word of God with confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture. That is, Christians must believe that "God has given us all the divine words we need to faithfully navigate the issues surrounding marijuana and the church" (p. 5). Thinking through the question of marijuana use from a Biblical perspective means developing the skill of thinking rightly "about something that is not specifically in the Bible" (p. 6). That skill will prove useful with the question of marijuana, but it will also prove useful in thinking through many other cultural issues that aren't addressed directly in the Bible. |
Todd Miles is a professor of Theology and the Director of the Master of Theology Program at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Miles teaches courses in theology, church history, hermeneutics, and ethics. Previously, he worked as a nuclear engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Miles graduated from Oregon State University (BS and MS), Western Seminary (MDiv), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD).
In addition to Cannabis and the Christian, Miles is the author of Superheroes Can't Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies. He is married, has six children, and serves as an elder at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon.
Cannabis and the Christian
by Todd Miles
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Todd Miles |
| Publisher | B&H |
| Date | 2021 |
| Pages | 166 |
Overview:
There was a time when American pastors could simply tell their congregations that it was wrong to smoke marijuana because smoking marijuana was against the law. For many pastors across the United States, that time has passed. Laws have changed, and recreational marijuana has been decriminalized or legalized in most states. This begs the question, Can a Christian engage in recreational marijuana use?
Part of the challenge in answering this question is the fact that "the Bible does not specifically address marijuana, either positively or negatively" (p. 4). However, "the Bible has much to say about things like discipleship, wisdom, mind-altering substances, human needs, human frailty, stewardship, creation, and addiction" (p. 5).
Christians must approach the Word of God with confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture. That is, Christians must believe that "God has given us all the divine words we need to faithfully navigate the issues surrounding marijuana and the church" (p. 5).
Thinking through the question of marijuana use from a Biblical perspective means developing the skill of thinking rightly "about something that is not specifically in the Bible" (p. 6). That skill will prove useful with the question of marijuana, but it will also prove useful in thinking through many other cultural issues that aren't addressed directly in the Bible.
Todd Miles is a professor of Theology and the Director of the Master of Theology Program at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Miles teaches courses in theology, church history, hermeneutics, and ethics. Previously, he worked as a nuclear engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Miles graduated from Oregon State University (BS and MS), Western Seminary (MDiv), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD).
In addition to Cannabis and the Christian, Miles is the author of Superheroes Can't Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies. He is married, has six children, and serves as an elder at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon.