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In The World, Not of The World
A balanced, biblical study regarding Christian standards, with over 100 illustrations. How strict must we be? Where do we draw the line? What should the Christian standard be regarding movies, plays, dancing, swimming, billiards, bowling, country music, cards, and gambling? Is the Bible against the use of wine—or the misuse of wine? Are the restrictions of the Old Testament clean and unclean law still in effect? Must Christians abstain from eating pork? Is salvation based on external things like what we eat, drink, or wear? Shows why true standards are not based on straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
64 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2004
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May 27, 2025
THE EVANGELIST LOOKS AT ISSUES SUCH AS DANCING, WINE, ETC.
Ralph Woodrow was the author of ‘Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern,’ but he recanted this book in 'The Babylon Connection?' He also reconsidered his former rejection of the Christmas celebration in 'Christmas Reconsidered.'
He wrote in this 2004 book, “as Christians living on planet earth, we … interact with all kinds of people. Questions arise about proper standards and where we should draw the line. In the pages that follow, we will discuss a wide range of things---jobs and boycotts, jewelry and makeup, dancing and music, movies and plays, wine and pork, cards and gambling, doctors and medicine---all of which have been linked, one way or another, with ‘standards.’” (Pg. 1)
He suggests, “Can a person be too strict? Certainly. Can a person be too lenient? Certainly. Like raising children, neither extreme is fruitful. Wisdom is needed to obtain the BALANCE… Avoiding the extremes, finding the CENTER of God’s will, being biblically BALANCED---these are the principles we should follow while living ‘in’ the world, not ‘of' it.” (Pg. 4)
He notes, “Like the movie theater, the dance hall has also been considered off limits to a Christian, and not without good reasons. Dance halls have often simply been places of lust and debauchery. Consequently, many have supposed that dancing IN ANY FORM is wrong. While the Bible mentions dancing associated with idolatry and evil purposes (Ex 32:19, Mt 14:6), many verses speak of dancing in a FAVORABLE light. Among the people of God, dancing was part of victory celebrations, as when Miriam and other women sang, played tambourines, and danced (Ex 15:20; cf. Jud 11:34). So widespread was this custom, in the days of Saul and David, ‘women came out of ALL cities of Israel, singing AND DANCING… with joy and instruments of music’ (1 Sam 1:6)… Jesus spoke about the music and dancing at the return of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:25)…dancing can be good or bad. Instead of a wholesale condemnation, we might better weigh the TYPE of dancing that is involved. Does it reflect a cultural tradition? Is it a form of celebration? Or is it simply a way to make provision for the flesh…?” (cf. Rom 13:14)
Can Christians drink wine? “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob---men highly esteemed in Scripture---drank wine (Gen 14:18-19; 27:25-28). King David’s wine supply was large enough that it required a full-time employee, Zabdi, to be in charge of his wine cellars (1 Chr 27:27). Later, Solomon was able to supply 115,000 gallons of wine to those who prepared timber for building the Temple (2 Chron 2:10)… A person who took a Nazarite vow did not drink wine---but neither did he eat raisins, grapes, or cut his hair (Num 6:1-5). These were signs … implying that the general population DID drink wine, eat raisins and grapes, and cut their hair…. Isaiah spoke of those who drink wine until it INFLAMES them, having wild parties, and regarding not the work of the Lord (Is 5:11-12). It was a misuse of wine he opposed---not wine itself…” Pg. 37-39)
“Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard.' (Lk 7:33-34)… what Jesus said was true: John, following a special diet, did NOT drink wine; Jesus DID. But, as some have suggested, might not ‘wine’ simply mean non-alcoholic grape juice? I would have no objection to this, but I find no reason to believe this was the case. John did not drink wine or OTHER FERMENTED DRINK.’ (Lk 1:15) The wine, then, that he didn’t drink---and Jesus did---was fermented.” (Pg. 39-40)
He points out, “Believing in healing through prayer need not conflict with common sense or proper health care. When we know what to do for ourselves, it is not going against God to do it. He COULD brush our teeth and comb our hair---but there are some things he expects us to do.” (Pg. 59)
Woodward’s books are always of keen interest to Christians wanting concise explanations of some controversial topics.”
Ralph Woodrow was the author of ‘Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern,’ but he recanted this book in 'The Babylon Connection?' He also reconsidered his former rejection of the Christmas celebration in 'Christmas Reconsidered.'
He wrote in this 2004 book, “as Christians living on planet earth, we … interact with all kinds of people. Questions arise about proper standards and where we should draw the line. In the pages that follow, we will discuss a wide range of things---jobs and boycotts, jewelry and makeup, dancing and music, movies and plays, wine and pork, cards and gambling, doctors and medicine---all of which have been linked, one way or another, with ‘standards.’” (Pg. 1)
He suggests, “Can a person be too strict? Certainly. Can a person be too lenient? Certainly. Like raising children, neither extreme is fruitful. Wisdom is needed to obtain the BALANCE… Avoiding the extremes, finding the CENTER of God’s will, being biblically BALANCED---these are the principles we should follow while living ‘in’ the world, not ‘of' it.” (Pg. 4)
He notes, “Like the movie theater, the dance hall has also been considered off limits to a Christian, and not without good reasons. Dance halls have often simply been places of lust and debauchery. Consequently, many have supposed that dancing IN ANY FORM is wrong. While the Bible mentions dancing associated with idolatry and evil purposes (Ex 32:19, Mt 14:6), many verses speak of dancing in a FAVORABLE light. Among the people of God, dancing was part of victory celebrations, as when Miriam and other women sang, played tambourines, and danced (Ex 15:20; cf. Jud 11:34). So widespread was this custom, in the days of Saul and David, ‘women came out of ALL cities of Israel, singing AND DANCING… with joy and instruments of music’ (1 Sam 1:6)… Jesus spoke about the music and dancing at the return of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:25)…dancing can be good or bad. Instead of a wholesale condemnation, we might better weigh the TYPE of dancing that is involved. Does it reflect a cultural tradition? Is it a form of celebration? Or is it simply a way to make provision for the flesh…?” (cf. Rom 13:14)
Can Christians drink wine? “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob---men highly esteemed in Scripture---drank wine (Gen 14:18-19; 27:25-28). King David’s wine supply was large enough that it required a full-time employee, Zabdi, to be in charge of his wine cellars (1 Chr 27:27). Later, Solomon was able to supply 115,000 gallons of wine to those who prepared timber for building the Temple (2 Chron 2:10)… A person who took a Nazarite vow did not drink wine---but neither did he eat raisins, grapes, or cut his hair (Num 6:1-5). These were signs … implying that the general population DID drink wine, eat raisins and grapes, and cut their hair…. Isaiah spoke of those who drink wine until it INFLAMES them, having wild parties, and regarding not the work of the Lord (Is 5:11-12). It was a misuse of wine he opposed---not wine itself…” Pg. 37-39)
“Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard.' (Lk 7:33-34)… what Jesus said was true: John, following a special diet, did NOT drink wine; Jesus DID. But, as some have suggested, might not ‘wine’ simply mean non-alcoholic grape juice? I would have no objection to this, but I find no reason to believe this was the case. John did not drink wine or OTHER FERMENTED DRINK.’ (Lk 1:15) The wine, then, that he didn’t drink---and Jesus did---was fermented.” (Pg. 39-40)
He points out, “Believing in healing through prayer need not conflict with common sense or proper health care. When we know what to do for ourselves, it is not going against God to do it. He COULD brush our teeth and comb our hair---but there are some things he expects us to do.” (Pg. 59)
Woodward’s books are always of keen interest to Christians wanting concise explanations of some controversial topics.”
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