A Big Problem: Gluttony

"Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God."

Screwtape, in a future Sunday evening study, will talk about how churches don't deal with "minor sins" such as gluttony. Here's a great audio if you want to tackle the subject. It was great to see the topic dissected in such a way. It helped me see the diverse sides of the issue. And it will indeed help the mortification process.

But we need to remember, gluttony is not a topic that is all that acute. Gluttony is a big problem in our culture. What's all the more problematic is that we laugh it off as minor.

The audio begins with an interesting study. He says that it was observed that fundamentalist baptists (FB) are some of the most obese of Christians in America. In a sense there is a great amount of hypocrisy in this. FB rail against the drunkard for his indulgence in drink, but they turn a blind eye to the gluttonous spirit. Come into a saloon and you are on the verge of apostasy. Step up to the all-you-can-eat-buffet for the 5th time and you are on your way to becoming a saint.

But my baptist brothers are not alone. In our opulent culture, gluttony's tendons reach far and wide (pardon the pun). Neither do I want to deride my baptist brothers. I know many who are much more righteous than I. And, I must confess, this Presbyterian struggles with a glutenous spirit (that's why I listened to the audio in the first place). I simply cannot pass a tray of sweets without paying homage to this god. So do note that, through this audio lesson, I have renewed my vow to beat my body into subjection today.

One of the choice morsels (sorry, I couldn't help myself--ha!) that Mr. Swanson points out in the audio is that we look to our idols for salvation. In the case of gluttony, food is our idol. When we have a bad day, we look to it for salvation (we often say people are "emotional eaters"). When we want comfort, instead of going to God, we eat.

Happily I can say that this isn't my problem. I'm not an emotional eater (I just eat constantly). But it was an interesting thought I thought I would pass on to you. Do listen to the audio though. If anything, you will fatten your spirit.