williamnowell

[williamnowell]

thesis defended, power level still increasing (at The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwvDFAWBx3ZZBHmayIwV-YWYYuIkyNnOThC1Vc0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13uk0n75n6q3d

[williamnowell]

Back in the saddle with @pledgesband || photos by @lucy_burntheham (at Oxford, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo8GdAoh7p5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w80xl3lb46ka

[williamnowell]

PLEDGES debut EP “RETALIATES!” is live. Time to revolt. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2UTghJovn0Z5Ogcl47Vv5D?si=-RCmtl8jQQyFbSjH8gF99g Bandcamp: http://pledgesband.bandcamp.com/album/retaliates Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/retaliates-ep/1437324159 (at Oxford, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo0gQaRBsRW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10vjxsthwfpx0

[williamnowell]

@pledgesband will be playing our first *official* show in two weeks. Our debut EP “RETALIATES!” will be released the night before, so you will have MORE than enough time to study for the quiz. (at Oxford, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZVAXmBIe3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1413ajf8v2p5g

[williamnowell]

@pledgesband will be playing a show in two weeks, AND our debut EP “RETALIATES!” will be released the night before, so you will have MORE than enough time to study for the quiz. (at Oxford, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZUjlIhMPI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ugq9vid59v8f

[williamnowell]

NEW PLEDGES SONG | “THE FIDDLE SONG” feat. Riley McManus (@rileymcman.us ) Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-fiddle-song-feat-riley-mcmanus-single/1437323392 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/60spDZnYzKv7AChE6wOXR5?si=T4T3_aDcSpGljfYI1jgkgw Bandcamp: https://pledgesband.bandcamp.com/track/the-fiddle-song-feat-riley-mcmanus ————————————————— HEY BINCES, We are also VERY excited to announce our upcoming debut EP, entitled “RETALIATES!” (scroll over for artwork). Thanks to @rickettsman for mixing/mastering. “RETALIATES!” releases 10/12. (at Oxford, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQd2TBBs4F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nkez7icdpt6b

[williamnowell]

Everyone: listen. #RivalChoir 's "I believe, Help My Unbelief" 20/5 Stars

#rivalchoir

[williamnowell]

"He used to call us conquistadores of the useless." (at West Palm Beach, Florida)

[williamnowell]

"Here's to the twilight Here's to the memories These are my souvenirs My mental pictures of everything." - Jon Foreman (at West Palm Beach, Florida)

[williamnowell]

Will You "cause someone to stumble" by Drinking in Public?

First, I know that this article will most likely go contrary to what many of my church's constituents may hold to be true. I accept that fact. I also ask that you understand that this essay is purely a principality; I do not drink, as I am currently underage and will be for some time.

That said, I think the immediate answer to the above question would be a resounding "yes." But on what grounds do we make this assertion. Most Christians will cite an example of a younger, more immature convert believing alcohol to be inherently evil. They assert that if this younger Christian were to see an older Christian, expected to be more mature in faith and doctrine than himself, drinking, it will cause him to think that person is sinning. The idea typically follows: drinking in public will cause an immature believer to think that the older is sinning, and therefore some sort of breach of trust of disillusionment with Christianity will result, which is considered a "sin" by many.

Here are my immediate thoughts on the subject:

1. This situation asserts that adhering to a misconception of Christianity for the sake of the immature believer is right.

2. The only people who will have a problem with a Christian drinking are those who incorrectly believe that Christians are not supposed to drink.

Do we see any other cases among Christians where bearing with the misguided doctrine of a young believer is encouraged? If a young believer thought that sex was entirely immoral, would it be the responsibility of the married couples associated with that believer to cease the most precious gift of marriage? Absolutely not! In the same way, the idea that one should adhere to an incorrect doctrine for the sake of not affecting someone's sensibilities is entirely ridiculous. I think even more pressing than the fact that many believers (especially in the Bible Belt) are brought up to believe the consumption of alcohol to be the cardinal sin is that such legalistic approaches to the Bible convey a sense that Christianity is about rules and regulations to lost people who observe our interactions. In Christ we have freedom from legalism and "working" towards our salvation.

I do contend that if someone, in the scenario of alcohol, were to approach another Christian and submit that he/she is an alcoholic, it IS the moral responsibility of the Christian to refrain from drinking in their presence. The Bible condemns those who lead others into temptation. In summary, I do not believe that it is necessary or doctrinally correct to refrain from doing anything that will lead another Christian astray; if their convictions are doctrinally ill-founded and wrong, it is not the responsibility of the elder to refrain from the action itself, but rather to teach the younger in kindness and love that he may not lead himself into unmerited convictions.

My thoughts. Feel free to reply.

Until next time,

Will

[williamnowell]

About 365 days and 1 hour ago I asked @noellebillings to be my girlfriend, strictly on the basis that I wanted to someone to comfort me while I watched American Horror Story (because I'm a massive baby). Turns out I got much more than I asked for, and I can't say I regret it one bit! 😊

[williamnowell]

Editing my mother's notes to Zach and I >

[williamnowell]

Everything he is wearing is mine. I also tied his bow tie and showed him how to wear suspenders. I'm a #greatbrother

#greatbrother

[williamnowell]

My #wcw lololololol @noellebillings She did make me a super healthy dinner tonight though, so I'm actually really thankful but still that retainer tho 😍

#wcw

[williamnowell]

"Just" Reading the Bible?

As of the past half-year or so, I have found myself becoming increasingly interested in philosophy and Christian theology. I also have always enjoyed asking “pointed” questions. Nearly all of my friends have experienced my asking of some theological question; I simply enjoy explaining these concepts to the best of my ability (perhaps I ought to teach one day).

            However, recently one of my friends replied to my mention of different philosophers and theologians, “I only read the Bible,” in the sense that, if anyone attempts to expound or reflect (not add or subtract) upon Christ’s teachings, it is inherently flawed. This belief seemed to arise from the assertion that “all men are sinful” expanded to mean, “Everything man does (for God or not) is not without some quantity of incorrectness.” I find this idea ridiculous. If one were to genuinely assert that they adhere to sola scriptura (the uninfluenced reading of scripture produces correct doctrine), would they read any Christian author, or even listen to their own preacher for that matter? Certainly not. More often than not, we are encouraged to take the advice of those who are more mature than us in our Christian walk. How is this any different from reading a work by a Christian author such as Spurgeon, Lewis, or Sproul? Perhaps Platt, Piper, or Driscoll? I assert that there is no inherent difference whatsoever. Here is a verse concerning the matter:

                        “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:20

              Moreover, upon historical examination, one will find that the verse on which the concept of sola scriptura is based to be taken out of context:

                        “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

              The New Testament cannon wasn’t even assembled until the late 4th century, so it is impossible that this letter from St. Paul to Timothy could be referring to the New Testament itself.

            Do not misunderstand me; I am not advocating reading theology/biblical commentary as a replacement for the Bible itself, nor do I believe that all theologians are infallible. However, to believe that nothing true can be said of Christianity unless it is directly stated in scripture is false. In fact, if you refuse to read sermons, books, and essays of those theologians and Saints who are obviously more spiritually mature than you and I, you are depriving yourself of a great resource.

[williamnowell]

[williamnowell]