The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301, titled "Bible Questions and Answers." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.
Question
What is the right Christian stand on playing cards?
Answer
Now what about playing cards? Well, there’s nothing wrong with the card; the card isn’t going to hurt you. It’s just a little card. The only I can say is this: if it bothers your conscience to do it, don’t do it. Or if it’s going to make somebody else stumble, don’t do it. Or if it’s going to make somebody else think less of your testimony, don’t do it. But if you feel that it has not those factors—it isn’t problematic—and you can do it to the glory of God, that’s between your conscience and the community in which you exist and the people in which you exist.
For example, if I were to go over to the middle of Africa and sit down among a crowd of Africans and somebody pulled out a deck of cards and we were to sit there and play, I don’t know, what do you play? I don’t even know how to play the thing. But let’s say 21—I remember that one! Let’s say we all sat down in the middle of Africa and played 21; do you think the Africans would be offended? Not on your life! They wouldn’t have the faintest idea what we were even doing. It certainly wouldn’t be any great offense to God, if we didn’t have anything else to do in the burning sun than play a little 21.
But on the other hand, in the culture in which I live, if I were to be doing that, somebody would stumble over it, so I don’t do it. A card in itself isn’t evil.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Our websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986