A conversation on faith and poker....

Every time I go someplace where I meet new people someone inevitably asks the customary small talk question, "What do you do for a living?". What then ensues following my answer is a reaction unlike that received by almost anyone else. Sometimes it's fascination and they can't stop asking questions (and then apoligizing for asking so many questions ) Other times it's a funny look. Either of those responses is fine by me. Once in a while someone will later slip in a critical comment of a religious nature about how what I do for a living is wrong. Normally this comment is said in the most non-chalant way they can think of to say it. Today I had one such comment made to me. Allow me to share a portion of this conversation with you:

dental assistant: "So did you go to college?"

me: yes

d.a.: "So then you'll have something to fall back on...."
(I reply mid sentence)
me: yeah

d.a.: "....If you get tired of this poker thing or if you someday get some sort of spiritual conscience."

I had this woman's hand shoved into my mouth holding an impression of my teeth that was in the process of drying so I could not respond. I never saw a good one on one opportunity to respond and I didnt really want to embarass her when the dentist came back. So I left without responding.

I have always struggled to articulate why I believe that playing poker does not violate the tenets of the christian faith. I normally respond by addressing the verse that most christians use to argue that gambling is a sin. While I cant find the specific verse at the moment, the verse describes people in the temple casting lots for jesus' clothes. The issue being addressed in the verse is actually the disrespect for Jesus and the place of worship and not the actual act of gambling. In fact lots were cast to determine many things and the practice is not specfically condemned to my knowledge.

As I was having my personal time in prayer with God tonight and listening to worship music I decided to see what others may have had to say about poker and faith. I found something that I feel compelled to share.

The excerpt that follows

Below is an excerpt from a blog post(The complete post can be found here: http://ccexplore.blogspot.com/2006/0...-candor.html):

I've explored before the struggle with poker as a sin. I was fortunate enough to receive a call from Steve Brown, a minister who teaches at Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as leads a ministry called Key Life Ministries, which is a syndicated radio show. He has this incredibly deep voice, looks sort of like a balding Santa, and tackles alot of white elephants in the room regarding faith and religion. He almost never kowtows to the official line; he believes in the truth is all about exploring, which I really like alot. He was good enough to join me for a quick interview. Thought you might find it interesting.

cc: What are your thoughts on the seemingly gray areas like poker when it comes to sin and our lives as Christians?
Steve: I love playingpoker and did a lot. I used to play regularly, and I was pretty good, but I haven't played poker regularly in seventeen years. I don't think there is anything wrong with poker, and I don't think it is a sin. A number of years ago, we looked at casinos here in Florida. They asked me to develop a sermon against gambling. I thought it would be very easy, but I couldn't find anything, there really wasn't anything in the Bible. Most church folks don't understand poker. I don't think there isn't much different between the stock market and poker. I have a large radio ministry, so I do keep these thoughts to myself as I don't want to separate myself from the majority of people who I minister to.

cc: What's the difference, from a pastoral point of view, between gambling as a recreational activity, gambling as a source of income, and gambling as an addiction?
Steve: My closest friend is a physician in North Carolina, and he was in the Armed Forces and learned blackjack. He made piles of money, and we were both Christians. He would play all night and clean house, and he had to be careful about going back to the same casinos. This was before the shuffling machines. Some people are really good at poker, and it is the moral equivalency to picking stock. The addiction thing you are moving into a different area. My father was a drunk and gambler, and there were Christmases where we didn't have gifts nor much to eat. If you see yourself moving in this direction, then you need help.

cc: Even with the explosion of poker in America, it is difficult to have discussions about it in the church. Is there a place for poker players in churches or in a relationship with God?
Steve: That's the nature of institutions, any institution whether it be a church or Ford Motor Company, that they punish people that get out of line. That's why some churches are dying. Often, the churches make rules that really are more cultural. I think it's important to remember that people are really screwed up. All people. Once we agree on this, then we can love each other and can grow. But this is an issue for the church. Sometimes it is a smokescreen, an easy escape when we feel uncomfortable with what we hear and think. The church today is growing and changing in a way that is very approachable. The emerging church movement is very laid back yet authentic, very Gospel oriented. People should check around. We are all wired differently, and the Church is so big, bigger than it has ever been.

cc: Sometimes I think of poker as separating me from other believers. Can we ever be too bad to meet Christ? Can we ever be good enough to join Him?
Steve: Everyone is screwed up, and God is not angry at you. God doesn't sit in the sky, He isn't sitting in the sky with a lightning bolt. God isn't ticked that you're playing poker. Having said that, we have a responsibility of grace, that we should be compelled to act on our faith. God doesn't want us good; he wants us to be His.










I hope all this was food for thought. From time to time I have run into people of faith who have struggled with whether both poker and faith could coexist in thier life. I am convinced without a shadow of a doubt that the answer is yes.