Jesus Let's Get High: An Introduction to the complexities of developing a biblical response to the recreational use of marijuana

By Stailey Styles IV

Jesus Let's Get High: An Introduction to the complexities of developing a biblical response to the recreational use of marijuana examines three words herb, calamus, and witchcraft and their relationship to cannabis in the Bible. J.L.G.H also tackles the traditional threefold objection to the recreational use of cannabis: (1) the legality issue, (2) the health (physical and spiritual) issue and (3) the Christian witness to reach the most biblical response toward whether or not the recreational use of marijuana is a sin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stailey Styles IV
• Release date: Apr 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311985750

Stailey Styles IV

Creative. Son. Brother. Friend. Consejero de Guerrilla. Citizen of Earth.

Book preview

Jesus Let’s Get High:

An Introduction To The Complexities Of Developing A Biblical Response Toward The Recreational Use Of Marijuana

By Stailey J. Styles 4

Copyright © 2013 By Stailey J. Styles 4

Published By Stailey J. Styles at Smashwords

All quotations from scripture, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

All Hebrew and Greek outline of biblical usage are taken from Blueletterbible.org with permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV ®) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

All quotations taken from John Gill’s Exposition of The Old and New Testament are public domain.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be/or imply an endorsement from Stailey J. Styles 4 or Smashwords, nor does Stailey J. Styles 4 or Smashwords vouch for the content of these sites for the life of this book.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Preface

Jesus Let’s Get High is an introduction to the complexities of developing a biblical response toward the recreational use of marijuana. J.L.G.H has been labeled a short book but is more like an essay or informal dissertation. J.L.G.H was never meant to be exhaustive, but the hope is to present a great springboard toward the discussion of cannabis use amongst Christians. The goal is not to tell Christians within Christendom what they should or should not believe about cannabis but to present biblical principles under the new dispensation of Christian faith that are non-negotiable for living a biblical life.

*******

Table of Contents

The States in Shock

Big Deal, It’s Just Weed

Hide and Seek

The Good Stuff

What Now?

*******

The States in Shock

November 6, 2012 - the day most of us already forget. It was the day some Americans celebrated and some cried; not tears of joy, but of sorrow. The re-election of a mixed-reviewed President sent many into shock concerning the direction the United States of America would be heading for the next four years.

It was also the day that Amendment 64 was passed in Colorado and Initiative 502 was passed in Washington State. Amendment 64 won approximately 55 to 45 percent and Initiative 502 won by approximately 56 to 44 percent.i This amendment and initiative gave a detailed description of the new state laws on the recreational growth and possession of cannabis.

The event rattled the cages of cannabis prohibition thrusting Americans into the unknown of a new cannabis frontier. As Americans began celebrating or crying their eyes out over the re-election of a mixed-review President, I was astounded after finding out about Colorado and Washington’s monumental decisions via Facebook (go figure).

The news left me in a state of awe and curiosity after finding out it was true. I began to surf the web for any Christian responses toward the issue and stumbled upon Washington’s very own Pastor Mark Driscoll’s e-book entitled Puff or Pass: Should Christians Smoke Pot or Not? (Which I recommend reading), but I still was not satisfied. I would later find other Christian responses with some agreeing with the legalization of cannabis and some disagreeing and after reading only a few articles, blogs, and the e-book by Pastor Mark Driscoll; it became clear how complex it was to develop a biblical response toward this issue.

It was then that my journey began to seek out the truth and heart of God on this relevant and critical issue for myself. As a follower of Jesus first and an American citizen second, my thoughts were as follows: What should my responses be toward a law like this? Would I have voted yes if the same amendment or initiative were on the ballot in my state? Of course, I would vote yes for medicinal marijuana, but what about full legalization? Moreover, was cannabis use not a sin now that the law of the land had changed?

These and many more questions were doing back-flips in my mind. It was as if I never entertained them before but I realized the difference then versus now was that it was entirely hypothetical.

As the reality set in that cannabis could be fully legalized, it spawned a new investigation on my position and understanding of this controversial plant. I could not settle for the opinion of my pastor, friends or societal norms for this issue. The only opinion that would matter to me would be my own investigation using an exegesis and hermeneutical approach.

*******

Big Deal, Its just Weed

High! What is High? A state of mind or an event that is best described by the idea of being High! What is High? A rapid cardiac experience, reducing our perception of time, a word that defines an intrinsic sensation that within me already abides. High! What is High? An escape or vacation to an oasis that illuminates me from the inside, gathering together other bodies of same design to enjoy this experience of High! So what is High? And in the words of Mike Oldfield, "Can we get much