Bakery Run #6 – O’Connell Street Bakery

Pie Buddy: Ben Harrington

Topic: The sinfulness of unhealthy life choices

Before I begin, let me just say that I do appreciate the irony of discussing this topic while smashing down a two-course bakery dinner. But I think it’s a worthwhile topic to discuss, given how obesity, drunkenness and a whole lot of other physical side-effects of poor health choices are so prevalent in today’s society. Ben being a very switched on, thinking kind of guy, I knew we’d be in for a good chat.

The venue for this evening is the final (are there more? If so, let me know) of the three 24-hour bakeries – O’Connell Street Bakery at North Adelaide. And as usual, it rises to the occasion. My pepper steak pie hits the spot nicely, and the caramel slice scores highly as well (although probably not quite up there with St Georges). Ben gets a giant meringue, which also achieves a high standard. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, a great range of baked goodies, and good service. And the place never closes. I’ve been here after midnight on several occasions, and business still carries on well into the night. Who doesn’t feel like a pie and a berliner at 2am anyway?

I mention the discussion topic to Ben, and he raises his eyebrows, probably because of the pie and caramel slice sitting on the table in front of me waiting to be devoured. “What I’m doing now, for example, is unhealthy,” I say. “When we consider unhealthy eating, drinking, smoking, sedentary lifestyle – where do we draw the line on these unhealthy life choices? When does it become sinful to live this way?”

“I don’t think there is a black and white line,” Ben replied. “There are certainly principles about this in the Bible, but it’s more of a wisdom issue, not so much black and white sin. This topic isn’t addressed specifically. Gluttony is identified as being sinful, but the bible never says how much food we can eat and not be gluttonous.”

To use an example from my own life, I happen to absolutely adore chicken schnitzels and consume them on a frighteningly regular basis. I’ve been starting to question whether this has developed into a sinful habit. I run this thought by Ben. “I guess I see it being a three-part issue,” I explained. “There’s the issue of greed – that is, wanting more than I need. Then there’s the idolatry side of things – am I over-desiring this food and holding it in an exalted position in my life? And then there’s the financial side – I’m spending a fair bit more money than I really need to.”

Ben thought about it for a bit. “Yeah, there’s the idolatry aspect, where you’re loving the creation as opposed to the Creator. And greed is linked to that - the Bible does say that greed is idolatry (Colossians 3:5 for those playing at home). It’s a desire for pleasure. In our pursuit of pleasure we can forget the source of that good gift.”

“When you break it down, pretty much any sin is a result of idolatry,” I replied. “Every sinful act we commit is a result of us seeking fulfilment in something that doesn’t honour God, that is contrary to his will.”

“Yeah that’s right,” said Ben. “And idolising food and drink is clearly condemned in the Bible. There are references to drunkenness, and to people whose Gods are their stomachs. But then what’s the issue?” he asked.

“Well as I see it, the issue with drunkenness is that it robs us of our self-control and causes us to act in ways that are displeasing to God. It takes away our ability to honour God.”

“Precisely,” Ben replied. “And similarly, the way we eat can demonstrate a lack of self-control and discipline. Gluttony and greed are sins. And so the principle becomes clear: what are we striving for in life? To bring glory to God. Everything needs to be looked at in that framework. Is your diet impacting your bringing glory to God? Is your drinking causing you to lose self-control, or damaging your body, and thereby affecting how you glorify God?”

This principle of glorifying God is seen in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. The context in this passage is about eating in a way that doesn’t affect the conscience of other people, but the underlying principle remains the same. It’s a short verse, but a profound reminder of our calling to honour God in all we do:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“There’s also the importance of honouring your body,” Ben continued. “1 Corinthians talks about your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, although that is in the context of prostitutes rather than eating.”

“Husbands are called to love their wives as they love their own bodies,” I replied (Ephesians 5.28. Verse 29 then says that we care for our bodies, just as Christ does for the Church). “so there’s clearly an expectation that we will honour the bodies we’ve been given.”

“That’s right. But then on the other hand, there are numerous Biblical passages about the Israelites feasting.”

“Is that prescriptive or descriptive though?” I asked. “Looking at Jesus’ life, you don’t exactly see him queuing up at the smorgasboard.”

“But there are a number of feasts that God tells the Israelites to have, plus a whole lot of animal sacrifices,” Ben replied. “And the Bible does talk about wine gladdening the hearts of men (Ps 104: 15). So food and drink are to be enjoyed.”

“So we’re called to accept these gifts thankfully, but not to elevate them to exalted positions in our life,” I said. “From a practical point of view, what I take that to look like is to enjoy – with a thankful heart- an evening eating and drinking with our friends or whatever, but to take a prudent long-term view. There needs to be self-control on our part. We’re called to enjoy these gifts, but to make too regular a habit of it would be greedy and financially irresponsible. And that’s where financial planning comes into it. If we plan our spending carefully, we can ensure that we don’t spend excessive amounts of money on needless luxuries, so that we can glorify God with our money. Even then though it’s still a bit of a grey area – how much is the right amount of money to be spending on food, wine, cigarettes etc? It’ll be different for each person. What are your thoughts on cigarettes anyway,” I asked. “Do you think smoking is a sin?”

“Cigarettes are an interesting one,” Ben replied. “They are kind of culturally taboo. They’re not directly biblically condemned, but because of the health risks, the addictive nature, the loss of self-control and the cost, it seems unwise. It’s not a direct sin, it’s more a wisdom issue. Consequently, I’d be reluctant to judge someone for smoking. We need to be careful not to extend the Bible beyond what it actually says. I know a number of Christians who smoke.”

“I think the addiction aspect of it changes how we look at it,” I said. “Addiction is essentially an illness, not a choice. And a lot of people addicted may be from previous generations, who wouldn’t have known the health risks when they started. They may well have prayed to be released from the addiction, but God has decided to use it for his purposes instead. That said, I think choosing to smoke in this day and age, with all the knowledge we have about the harm of smoking, is an unwise and sinful choice. Even with gluttony, there’s at least the argument that we need to eat to live. We certainly don’t need durries to live. From the financial side of things, I think it’s justifiable. Person A might spend $50 a week on movies for personal leisure, while person B spends his $50 on cigarettes. But from a health perspective, I think it contradicts God’s will for us. But then again I’ve just polished off a pie and a caramel slice, so there’s a bit of a double standard going on here.”

Ben launches into his conclusion. “The Bible calls us to strive for wisdom. The pursuit of wisdom is a virtue. That’s what the whole book of Proverbs is about. Being unwise contradicts with the way God calls us to live. We’re in a relationship with God, and our purpose in life is to bring honour and glory to God. We’re called to live wisely, to build that relationship, to honour God. And the health-related decisions we make should reflect that calling.”

That seemed like a pretty good way to wrap up the chat. At the end of the day, we are called to pursue wisdom, to seek God’s guidance, and to live prudently, using the common sense with which we have been gifted. The sole purpose of our life, the reason we are alive, is to bring honour and glory to God. Everything we do is to be done in a way that is pleasing to God. We should at all times be looking to serve him with all that we have. And so it makes sense that the decisions we make that affect the health of our body should reflect this calling. If what we are eating, drinking or smoking is affecting our ability (short-term and long-term) to serve and honour God, then it is something we must address. If we’re overweight and it’s affecting our ability to serve God, then we need to start jogging around the block. I know there are areas of my life that I need to change to improve on this, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. How are the decisions you are making affecting the way God is honoured in your life?