Thursday Notes
10/30/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 6: Respecting, Listening, and Inviting." (pp. 117-140). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch, having described the initial steps in dealing with addiction, sums up the status of affairs as having reached the point that it is difficult to engage in addictive behaviors due to friends and family providing accountability and the addict having barriers creating separation from the negative behaviors (Welch 2001, p. 117). There is still work to be done. Welch considers the AA model for life change to be the default method used in our culture. However, Welch thinks we can do better for Christians through use of a distinctively Christian model of care (Welch 2001, p. 118). Welch advocates a model in which the gospel is of primary importance (1 Cor. 15:3) and which deals with addictions in terms of repentance, forgiveness, and Christian life change (Welch 2001, p. 119). The life in a Christian community which repeatedly draws attention to Jesus is of greater value than a life in a community of addicts which attempts to draw attention both to and away from addiction, often at the same time.
To care for those struggling with addictions, Welch contends that the church must do the very difficult task of welcoming those struggling with all sorts of sin, meanwhile providing a place for repentance and life change (Welch 2001, p. 120). This may require a church congregation to cross some challenging cultural barriers. As a helpful thought experiment, Welch suggests considering our "ruling desires. What tends to compete with Jesus for your affections?" (Welch 2001, p. 121). This makes sense since addictions are essentially desires which are ruling us in ways which Christ should.
Welch emphasizes the importance of getting to know a person's story. This is an important theme in Scripture, essential in building friendships (Welch 2001, p. 123). Because the situation of an addict is likely to be chaotic, it does matter to ask about urgent needs before digging into the addiction. Welch uses the example of a wife planning to leave an alcoholic that day. It is necessary to deal with immediate crises so as to free up attention for longer term help. Relational dynamics may actually become worse while an addict is trying to change behaviors (Welch 2001, p. 124).
The use of some sort of behavioral contract may be helpful. Areas of the contract must be capable of monitoring, be specific in nature, and provide specific consequences for violation (Welch 2001, p. 125).
Exploring the life story of an addict in detail is essential. Welch continues with his sample addict, showing that the development of the addictive behavior and its relationship to other elements of life is essential in understanding why it was able to gain control (Welch 2001, p. 126). This exploration may also identify parallel situations to be explored in Scripture. Finding life issues in the Bible pulls us into the relationship we need with God in Christ. Welch reminds us to consider biblically what forces influence our lives (Welch 2001, p. 127) as well as the things which come from within us and are revealed as influencing our lives (Welch 2001, p. 129). In one way or another, and probably in many ways, addictions become linked to other issues in our lives. The story is normally quite complicated.
Welch discusses at length the question of the addict's conversion. There is a time at which it is valuable to consider growth in Christian character as it relates to our allegiances (Welch 2001, p. 132). My estimation is that Welch here leans closer to a baptistic view of decision theology than I would prefer.
In addition to one's standing as a Christian, Welch speaks of the value of gaining the addict's commitment to work on the addiction, including root issues which may be related (Welch 2001, p. 134). The commitment to change is not easy. Welch reminds the reader that the addict's life did have a strategy to move through life. Leaving those strategies is a difficult commitment. Bringing Scripture to bear is very helpful, as most addicts are accustomed to acting from secular points of view (Welch 2001, p. 135).
People who are trying to break addictions generally need to erect barriers to prevent themselves from re-entry into addictive behavior (Welch 2001, p. 136). Awareness of situations that lead to such behaviors is helpful. Welch reminds the reader that the goal is to lead the addict to freedom rather than to be merely satisfied with abstinence. Making a clear break is important in the process (Welch 2001, p. 137).
Finally Welch urges the reader to give the addict hope (Welch 2001, p. 138). Christ desires to help his people resist temptations to evil.
The chapter concludes with a number of questions for thought and discussion.
10/30/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 6: Respecting, Listening, and Inviting." (pp. 117-140). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch, having described the initial steps in dealing with addiction, sums up the status of affairs as having reached the point that it is difficult to engage in addictive behaviors due to friends and family providing accountability and the addict having barriers creating separation from the negative behaviors (Welch 2001, p. 117). There is still work to be done. Welch considers the AA model for life change to be the default method used in our culture. However, Welch thinks we can do better for Christians through use of a distinctively Christian model of care (Welch 2001, p. 118). Welch advocates a model in which the gospel is of primary importance (1 Cor. 15:3) and which deals with addictions in terms of repentance, forgiveness, and Christian life change (Welch 2001, p. 119). The life in a Christian community which repeatedly draws attention to Jesus is of greater value than a life in a community of addicts which attempts to draw attention both to and away from addiction, often at the same time.
To care for those struggling with addictions, Welch contends that the church must do the very difficult task of welcoming those struggling with all sorts of sin, meanwhile providing a place for repentance and life change (Welch 2001, p. 120). This may require a church congregation to cross some challenging cultural barriers. As a helpful thought experiment, Welch suggests considering our "ruling desires. What tends to compete with Jesus for your affections?" (Welch 2001, p. 121). This makes sense since addictions are essentially desires which are ruling us in ways which Christ should.
Welch emphasizes the importance of getting to know a person's story. This is an important theme in Scripture, essential in building friendships (Welch 2001, p. 123). Because the situation of an addict is likely to be chaotic, it does matter to ask about urgent needs before digging into the addiction. Welch uses the example of a wife planning to leave an alcoholic that day. It is necessary to deal with immediate crises so as to free up attention for longer term help. Relational dynamics may actually become worse while an addict is trying to change behaviors (Welch 2001, p. 124).
The use of some sort of behavioral contract may be helpful. Areas of the contract must be capable of monitoring, be specific in nature, and provide specific consequences for violation (Welch 2001, p. 125).
Exploring the life story of an addict in detail is essential. Welch continues with his sample addict, showing that the development of the addictive behavior and its relationship to other elements of life is essential in understanding why it was able to gain control (Welch 2001, p. 126). This exploration may also identify parallel situations to be explored in Scripture. Finding life issues in the Bible pulls us into the relationship we need with God in Christ. Welch reminds us to consider biblically what forces influence our lives (Welch 2001, p. 127) as well as the things which come from within us and are revealed as influencing our lives (Welch 2001, p. 129). In one way or another, and probably in many ways, addictions become linked to other issues in our lives. The story is normally quite complicated.
Welch discusses at length the question of the addict's conversion. There is a time at which it is valuable to consider growth in Christian character as it relates to our allegiances (Welch 2001, p. 132). My estimation is that Welch here leans closer to a baptistic view of decision theology than I would prefer.
In addition to one's standing as a Christian, Welch speaks of the value of gaining the addict's commitment to work on the addiction, including root issues which may be related (Welch 2001, p. 134). The commitment to change is not easy. Welch reminds the reader that the addict's life did have a strategy to move through life. Leaving those strategies is a difficult commitment. Bringing Scripture to bear is very helpful, as most addicts are accustomed to acting from secular points of view (Welch 2001, p. 135).
People who are trying to break addictions generally need to erect barriers to prevent themselves from re-entry into addictive behavior (Welch 2001, p. 136). Awareness of situations that lead to such behaviors is helpful. Welch reminds the reader that the goal is to lead the addict to freedom rather than to be merely satisfied with abstinence. Making a clear break is important in the process (Welch 2001, p. 137).
Finally Welch urges the reader to give the addict hope (Welch 2001, p. 138). Christ desires to help his people resist temptations to evil.
The chapter concludes with a number of questions for thought and discussion.
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