Thursday Notes
12/4/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 11: Staying Violent." (pp. 225-245). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch describes self-control as something akin to warfare. While some decisions are easy, others require the "heart of a warrior" (Welch 2001, p. 225). The decisions required by self-control against something that would control us in the way reserved for God are difficult, as we are waging war in a spiritual and physical realm at the same time. Welch urges the constant vigilance of a warrior in this engagement (Welch 2001, p. 226).
Because the battle against negative desires doesn't take any vacation, our response must be constant. In Welch's view, this is the thrust of the many images of a spiritual battle in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Welch 2001, p. 228). Our appetites, while not bad in and of themselves, need to be governed. This work may well take considerable force. Welch observes that one weakness of the disease metaphor for addiction is that it falls short in the need for our personal forceful response.
A constant challenge in this battle, in Welch's view, is the fact that some temptations come from within us, thus forcing us to do battle with ourselves (Welch 2001, p. 229). it is possible to flee temptations that come from outside, but not those which are internal (Welch 2001, p. 230).
Welch considers the battle with internal temptations to be described as progressive sanctification (Welch 2001, p. 230). The battle against sin may then be seen as a good thing, and can be separated from our concept of being justified in Christ. This understanding runs counter to much of popular Christianity which assumes that the life of the Christian will show victory over sin constantly (Welch 2001, p. 231). Rather, we find ourselves doing battle with sin, which constantly tries to overcome us.
In his discussion of progressive sanctification Welch misses some nuance. Granted, sin is a constant factor to be battled consciously, as he describes it. There is also, however, in progressive sanctification, room to acknowledge the ongoing work of God, building the Christian's holiness and positive desires. This may be largely without the conscious effort of the Christian. It happens mainly through reception of God's gifts in Word and Sacrament and through the positive influence of Chrsitian friends in community.
From a theological standpoint, Welch sees the experience of addiction to be a bondage to sin, governed by Satan (Welch 2001, p. 233). Yet he reminds the reader that the New Testament, while warning us to be alert to Satan, describes him as an enemy who is doomed, has been defeated, and can be resisted. The Christian, further, is not condemned, regardless of what that enemy may allege (Welch 2001, p. 234).
Inherent in the life of an addict is some level of guilt. While the Christian does admit to guilt, the central message of the gospel is the grace of God which takes away the guilt. For this reason, Welch urges release of guilt as the starting point for change (Welch 2001, p. 235). The release of guilt must be by God's grace, not by any good action on our part. Welch holds, with historic Christianity, that Jesus is the only one who could pay the penalty for our sin (Welch 2001, p. 236). This knowledge brings liberation from our desire to defeat sin by our own strength. That kind of freedom actually empowers us in our desire to combat sin (Welch 2001, p. 238).
Welch concludes that although we are tempted, we do not need to give in to sin (Welch 2001, p. 239). The temptation will come constantly, though we make attempts to remain distant. Yet with the identity of a Christian and with the help we gain from others, we can live a life which is pleasing in God's sight (Welch 2001, p. 240). Those temptations and our response to them shows us our character, which grows in godliness as we learn to deal with temptation well. Welch is clear in his expectation that we will face temptation and engage in battle of one kind or another as long as we live (Welch 2001, p. 241). Over time our desires may well change. Yet we can always find areas to work for godly change.
The chapter concludes with matters of practical application and questions for consideration and discussion.
12/4/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 11: Staying Violent." (pp. 225-245). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch describes self-control as something akin to warfare. While some decisions are easy, others require the "heart of a warrior" (Welch 2001, p. 225). The decisions required by self-control against something that would control us in the way reserved for God are difficult, as we are waging war in a spiritual and physical realm at the same time. Welch urges the constant vigilance of a warrior in this engagement (Welch 2001, p. 226).
Because the battle against negative desires doesn't take any vacation, our response must be constant. In Welch's view, this is the thrust of the many images of a spiritual battle in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Welch 2001, p. 228). Our appetites, while not bad in and of themselves, need to be governed. This work may well take considerable force. Welch observes that one weakness of the disease metaphor for addiction is that it falls short in the need for our personal forceful response.
A constant challenge in this battle, in Welch's view, is the fact that some temptations come from within us, thus forcing us to do battle with ourselves (Welch 2001, p. 229). it is possible to flee temptations that come from outside, but not those which are internal (Welch 2001, p. 230).
Welch considers the battle with internal temptations to be described as progressive sanctification (Welch 2001, p. 230). The battle against sin may then be seen as a good thing, and can be separated from our concept of being justified in Christ. This understanding runs counter to much of popular Christianity which assumes that the life of the Christian will show victory over sin constantly (Welch 2001, p. 231). Rather, we find ourselves doing battle with sin, which constantly tries to overcome us.
In his discussion of progressive sanctification Welch misses some nuance. Granted, sin is a constant factor to be battled consciously, as he describes it. There is also, however, in progressive sanctification, room to acknowledge the ongoing work of God, building the Christian's holiness and positive desires. This may be largely without the conscious effort of the Christian. It happens mainly through reception of God's gifts in Word and Sacrament and through the positive influence of Chrsitian friends in community.
From a theological standpoint, Welch sees the experience of addiction to be a bondage to sin, governed by Satan (Welch 2001, p. 233). Yet he reminds the reader that the New Testament, while warning us to be alert to Satan, describes him as an enemy who is doomed, has been defeated, and can be resisted. The Christian, further, is not condemned, regardless of what that enemy may allege (Welch 2001, p. 234).
Inherent in the life of an addict is some level of guilt. While the Christian does admit to guilt, the central message of the gospel is the grace of God which takes away the guilt. For this reason, Welch urges release of guilt as the starting point for change (Welch 2001, p. 235). The release of guilt must be by God's grace, not by any good action on our part. Welch holds, with historic Christianity, that Jesus is the only one who could pay the penalty for our sin (Welch 2001, p. 236). This knowledge brings liberation from our desire to defeat sin by our own strength. That kind of freedom actually empowers us in our desire to combat sin (Welch 2001, p. 238).
Welch concludes that although we are tempted, we do not need to give in to sin (Welch 2001, p. 239). The temptation will come constantly, though we make attempts to remain distant. Yet with the identity of a Christian and with the help we gain from others, we can live a life which is pleasing in God's sight (Welch 2001, p. 240). Those temptations and our response to them shows us our character, which grows in godliness as we learn to deal with temptation well. Welch is clear in his expectation that we will face temptation and engage in battle of one kind or another as long as we live (Welch 2001, p. 241). Over time our desires may well change. Yet we can always find areas to work for godly change.
The chapter concludes with matters of practical application and questions for consideration and discussion.
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