I’ve wanted to ask this for a while.  Isn’t the passage about our bodies being the temple written about sexual sin?  I agree with you Todd and I have never been hurt by an overweight person.  I can hide my weaknesses but a person cannot hide their weight.  I know God wants us healthy.  I do wonder however if Paul’s thorn could have been similar to ours and not just perhaps an eye problem.  What do you think?

While somewhat humours, in my experience there is a much more significant issue on the table: How do we excercise accountability within the body of Christ?  On what basis do we hold one another accoutable?  What happens to the witness of the church in the community when congregational “sins” are made public?

One thing that often derails attempts at accountability is what you call “the glutton card”.  This phenomena has its roots in, what I believe, is a overly simplistic misapplication of a theological concept.  That concept is “all sins are equal in God’s eyes.” The arguement flows like this: “If all sins are equal in God’s eyes, then why do we hold the adulterer accountable and let the (insert common sin here) slide?”

The best I can understand it, the “all sins are equal” thing comes from a more sound theological understanding.  Because God is perfectly holy and pure, any sin ~ not matter how small ~ has the same effect: It separates people from God.  While I believe that is true, it is not the same thing as saying all sins are equal.  Just because the smallest of sins (even unknown sins) can cause separation from God doesn’t mean that all sins are the same.  No offense, but a kindergarten student stealing a piece of bubble gum (I’ll come clean - it was me) is not the same as genocide…

While it requires discernment, it is important for us as church leaders to know how to walk along side and correct persons who are clearly and wilfully engaging in sins that damage their own lives and the lives of those around them. 

I must admit, the recent story out of Texas involving the pastor who outed a congregation member’s adultry through the church newsletter, is shocking. That is not what we are looking for.  But I think that is what some congregation members fear when we start talking about discpline and accountability...That is what makes “the glutton card” so attractive. 

btw, in my experience, those most in love with “the glutton card” usually have something of their own they don’t want coming to light (but don’t we all).

Peace in Christ,

mdd

Just a warning. 

A body can malfunction in many ways. 

Just because a body is a plus size, does not automatically mean a person is sitting on the couch eating ice-cream all day, has a self-discipline issue, or is a glutton.

Not every skinny believer is automatically anorexic, buhlemic, or worshiping and self-consumed with food.

Being dexlexic does not mean you are un-intelligent.

The list goes on.

Many of these people are the most self-disciplined, Christ focused people on the planet, and actually have a healthier view about food and exercise than others who metabolize better.  They also love us despite our lack of compassion.

Make sure you have the right disease before you pass judgement on the symptoms.

I have fought with my weight for my entire life! I resent people who blindly judge someone who is over weight by saying they are a glutton............... For instance how many of them ride a bike regularly in hilly terrain just to stay the status quo.... My blood pressure and other vitals are excellent, this is because of exercise. But by looking at me you would never know. All of us are affected by sin’s affects in different ways. We all need grace and we ought to show grace.