I really liked the explanation of the terms "renunciation" and "enjoyment". However, I think we have a hard time biblically with equating gluttony to overindulgence, because the Bible portrays being fat as a result of the blessing of God. I once read somewhere that a glutton originally referred to someone who bought up all the food in town. This is more of an idea of eating at the expense of your neighbor's hunger.
Continously overeating is probably more equivalent to cigarette smoking, in that it is an unwise activity, and of course wisdom is a virtue worth pursuing, but I don't think that it is the same level of vice as what scripture talks about when it references gluttony.
Thank you for this thoughtful article! I'm pondering the last paragraph. I think you're saying enjoyment (absent addiction) can take us into God's presence. Bonhoeffer seemed to have that kind of freedom in his friendships, meaning they enjoyed a range of cultural entertainments other Christians probably judged off-limits (in Metaxas's biography, if I recall correctly).
"It’s not drab abstinence. I call it “relational temperance” – in that all of my consumption is ushered into my communion with God. It even pours into my relationship with others as we work out temperance in community. It’s not another life-hack or quick-fix; it’s reorienting the heart until consumption itself becomes a vehicle into God’s presence. And it makes me so, so happy."
Forgive me for over-consuming your post. I had a fun time restacking it 100 times. :) This is definitely the best post I've read on Substack. Keep writing and I'll keep consuming, maybe in moderation, maybe not. :)
Oof. We really need this lesson more than ever. The culture today seem to encourage gluttony. Most advertisement I see are for credit cards or online lending celebrating how easy it is to borrow money to satisfy your basest desires for luxury. Employees getting in trouble due to racking up online loan debts is becoming a significant problem. The "Kingdom Finance" community I'm a part of is planning on doing a ministry to help people who had been caught up in this debt trap, so please pray for breakthrough so that this program can run.
Griffin you simply have a marvelous way of combining spiritually deep insights with laugh out loud moments, "...but Aquinas apparently drove her away with a burning log (as one does)".
Your conclusion reminded me of the inscription my father wrote into his small leather Bible after he became a Christian as a young man (translated from German): "Nothing protects better from unhappiness than doing God's will and being able to abstain". He too had encountered various forms of gluttony, and realized that in order to follow God and discover joy, he needed to develop temperance.
If you don't already do this Griffin, you seem like the perfect person to host dinners & discussions with students, who would deeply benefit from your perspective.
thanks so much Ruth this is so kind of you to say. I love having one on one meals with my students before or after class but I may need to think about expanding it into dinner gatherings. I appreciate your feedback so much Ruth!
I really liked the explanation of the terms "renunciation" and "enjoyment". However, I think we have a hard time biblically with equating gluttony to overindulgence, because the Bible portrays being fat as a result of the blessing of God. I once read somewhere that a glutton originally referred to someone who bought up all the food in town. This is more of an idea of eating at the expense of your neighbor's hunger.
Continously overeating is probably more equivalent to cigarette smoking, in that it is an unwise activity, and of course wisdom is a virtue worth pursuing, but I don't think that it is the same level of vice as what scripture talks about when it references gluttony.
Love your writing.
Thank you for this thoughtful article! I'm pondering the last paragraph. I think you're saying enjoyment (absent addiction) can take us into God's presence. Bonhoeffer seemed to have that kind of freedom in his friendships, meaning they enjoyed a range of cultural entertainments other Christians probably judged off-limits (in Metaxas's biography, if I recall correctly).
"It’s not drab abstinence. I call it “relational temperance” – in that all of my consumption is ushered into my communion with God. It even pours into my relationship with others as we work out temperance in community. It’s not another life-hack or quick-fix; it’s reorienting the heart until consumption itself becomes a vehicle into God’s presence. And it makes me so, so happy."
Wow. Definitely hit the nail on the head again with this one. Bravo!
Forgive me for over-consuming your post. I had a fun time restacking it 100 times. :) This is definitely the best post I've read on Substack. Keep writing and I'll keep consuming, maybe in moderation, maybe not. :)
Oof. We really need this lesson more than ever. The culture today seem to encourage gluttony. Most advertisement I see are for credit cards or online lending celebrating how easy it is to borrow money to satisfy your basest desires for luxury. Employees getting in trouble due to racking up online loan debts is becoming a significant problem. The "Kingdom Finance" community I'm a part of is planning on doing a ministry to help people who had been caught up in this debt trap, so please pray for breakthrough so that this program can run.
What a profound and challenging read. Thank you for this.
This is TOO good. Such a fantastic read.
Wonderful, wonderful! I love that you drew out how Gluttony is forsaken as we embrace both renunciation and enjoyment!
“Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.”
Love this.
Griffin you simply have a marvelous way of combining spiritually deep insights with laugh out loud moments, "...but Aquinas apparently drove her away with a burning log (as one does)".
Your conclusion reminded me of the inscription my father wrote into his small leather Bible after he became a Christian as a young man (translated from German): "Nothing protects better from unhappiness than doing God's will and being able to abstain". He too had encountered various forms of gluttony, and realized that in order to follow God and discover joy, he needed to develop temperance.
If you don't already do this Griffin, you seem like the perfect person to host dinners & discussions with students, who would deeply benefit from your perspective.
thanks so much Ruth this is so kind of you to say. I love having one on one meals with my students before or after class but I may need to think about expanding it into dinner gatherings. I appreciate your feedback so much Ruth!
A potent message, and an extremely well structured essay.