Partying

Do people of faith have any joy and fun, or is that privilege only enjoyed by unbelievers or experienced totally separate from faith? Definitely not!

Both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures tell us that we are a people with absolute and eternal reasons to celebrate. The sabbath was established in the beginning as a way to break from work, reflect on its outcomes and celebrate that we are much more than our work (see Leisure; Recreation; Rest). We are creatures made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:31-2:3; Deut. 5:12-15)! The early Christians moved this celebration to Sunday to commemorate the resurrection and the provision of new life through faith (Matthew 12:1-14; Rev. 1:10). The Hebrew people had excellent musicians, who created celebrations and led them. Some of the leading ones include Jubal (Genesis 4:21), Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21), David (1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Chron. 16:42; 1 Chron. 23:5; 1 Chron. 25:1-8), Elisha’s minstrel (2 Kings 3:15) and Asaph (1 Chron. 16:5; Psalm 73-83). Jesus launched his ministry of reconciliation at a wedding party. John says, “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11 NRSV). God’s glory brings great joy, and it is to be acknowledged and shared (see Blessing). Jesus also attended a dinner party to celebrate the conversion and beginning of the new life of a despised tax collector, once again demonstrating what true joy is all about (Luke 5:27-39).

However, our cultural understanding of partying is different. It is associated with reveling. A party pooper is one who refuses to join in the fun and go along with everyone else. Here we see a very human view of enjoyment that only has group and individual pleasure as its end. Our culture’s view of partying is illustrated in events like the end of the workday happy hour, when friends unwind, connect and review their work and lives. At other times gatherings turn into wild and mindless binges of drinking and other pleasure-seeking activities. These tend to be a temporary escape from reality rather than a celebration of it. Increasingly this has become the fate of special ceremonies like Christmas and New Year’s or transitional events like anniversaries, marriages, job promotions or birthdays.

Although the word party is only used in Scripture to denote a political group, there are many reports of parties as well as warnings about misuse and exhortations to celebrate. The abuse of alcohol is candidly and painfully described through several stories of bad parties. Noah abused one of his three sons after a drinking bout that left him naked and unconscious (Genesis 9:20-25). Daughters desperate to conceive and continue the family line got their father drunk and then lay with him (Genesis 19:30-38). David attempted to use alcohol to trick the husband of a woman he had seduced so the husband might appear to be the source of her pregnancy (2 Samuel 11:2-13). The king of Persia, Ahasuerus, demanded that his wife display her beauty for his drinking guests during a seven-day party: she refused and he retaliated by replacing her (Esther 1:4-22). When Aaron was appointed by the people to take over in Moses’ absence, there was a raucous celebration that Moses strongly condemned upon his return (Exodus 32:1-26).

Another interesting type of incident is the good celebration that is misunderstood. Jesus’ disciples were among the thousands of Jews gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, but they were so animated and excited that observers thought they must be drunk. Actually, they were overwhelmed with joy at the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God, as promised by the Hebrew prophet Joel (Acts 2:1-13; compare Joel 2:28-32). Those who observed this could not understand it but could only judge it by their own experiences and values. This is still to be expected in the ongoing tension between Christian community and the culture in which it resides. People of faith will be regularly misunderstood. For instance, as the early church began to celebrate Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, rumors spread throughout the Roman Empire that they were cannibals. People of faith are also directed to celebrate wholesome love, commitment and sexuality with weddings and courtship. The most sublime description of this in Scripture is found in the Song of Solomon, as two lovers give voice to their passion and dedication for one another.

People of faith are beckoned to bring their best to celebrations of faith and life. Jesus provided fine wine (John 2:1-12). David employed musicians to help Israel worship (1 Samuel 18:6-7). James charged the early church to sing with each other (James 5:13). Poetry, dance and drama are all to be employed to assist people of faith in worship and celebration of our Lord and his kingdom (Exodus 15:1-21; Judges 5; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:46-55). And finally we learn that heaven will be a celebratory banquet acknowledging the removal of all pain and sorrow (Rev. 19:1-10).

Party on, believers. We have much to celebrate in thanksgiving to God and as a witness to the watching world.

» See also: Anniversaries

» See also: Birthdays

» See also: Eating

» See also: Pleasure

» See also: Weddings

References and Resources

E. Otto and T. Schramm, Festival and Joy (Nashville: Abingdon, 1977).

—Pete Hammond