I’ve loved the chance to talk about my book
Redeeming Pleasure with all sorts of people in a variety of settings. Many of them have already read the book in full and have specific questions about points I make in the book. But as would be expected, many of them haven’t read the book yet and see a conversation with me as a chance to hear my arguments in a Cliff’s Notes version. Some of the questions go like this:
“Is it okay for a Christian to drink alcohol?”
“What’s the deal with tobacco?”
“Are R-rated movies a guilty pleasure or am I okay watching them?”
“Am I supposed to only listen to Christian music?”
“Why do desserts taste so good if they aren’t good for me?”
You can form your own question with any specific thought that comes to your mind when you think about God and pleasure. While I go into the specifics on most of these questions in the book, the short answer is that biblically we see moderation argued for areas like these. The problem with that answer, along with the concept of moderation in general, is that it isn’t the sexiest of ideas. I’ve tried in the book to hopefully make it sound worth trying, but that’s difficult to do with a brief conversation.
Recently I came across an Amazon review that’s both descriptive and dazzling. The review highlights one person’s experience drinking a Five Hour Energy drink and helps to articulate the value of moderation in a humorous yet memorable way. Yes, this is a real review (see:
Moderation) and below I’ve included it for your enjoyment.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT FILL UP A “SUPER BIG GULP” CUP WITH 5 HOUR ENERGY AND CHUG THE WHOLE THING. MY HEART HAS EITHER STOPPED COMPLETELY OR IS BEATING SO FAST THAT I CAN’T FEEL MY OWN PULSE.
CONS:
I HAVEN’T SLEPT IN 72 HOURS.
I CANT FEEL MY FACE.
I PEED THIS MORNING AND I’M PRETTY SURE IT WAS 99% BLOOD.
PROS:
I’VE DEEP CLEANED MY ENTIRE APARTMENT.
I CAN READ MINDS.
SUPER BIG GULP=44OZ, 5 HOUR ENERGY=2OZ. THAT MEANS I DRANK 22 5 HOUR ENERGYS IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. 22X5=110 HOURS OF ENERGY.
GOD HELP ME.
Maybe moderation isn’t so bad after all?
In addition to benefits such as allowing you to continuously feel your face at all times, moderation also invites you to experience a variety of God’s creation that a legalistic avoidance never will.
And if you’re interested in exploring the idea further in other areas of pleasure you can find out more about Redeeming Pleasure by
clicking here.
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