Tinder, Tattoos, and Tequila: Navigating the Gray Areas of Faith

by Bradley Truman Noel

Overview

HOLDING FAST TO FAITH IN THE GRAY AREAS OF LIFE

Should a Christian use Tinder…get a tattoo…or drink shots of tequila? Anyone who wants to live a life of grace needs to navigate the world’s gray lifestyle choices that may not be wrong, but could lead to sin.
 
“The church has been plagued by two extremes when it comes to living a Christian lifestyle,” says author Bradley Truman Noel. “On one side, we have the serious folks adorned with a really impressive frown, who remind us of all the do’s and don’ts.…On the other end of the spectrum are folks who play fast and loose with the rules. They typically don’t spend too much time thinking about holiness, or wondering if their actions align with biblical teaching.” Both sides, Bradley says, miss the power of God’s grace in our lives.
 
In Tinder, Tattoos, and Tequila, you will discover:

• How to determine what’s sinful and what’s permissible
• Scriptural absolutes that apply to all believers
• Why we should be eager to be holy in this life
• How to navigate social media and video games
• Biblical principles that can guide every decision
• Ways to receive help from the Holy Spirit
• The balance between understanding the law and practicing grace

 
Don’t let the world’s endless choices keep you from living the life of grace that God has for you!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641238304
Publisher:	Whitaker House
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	1,083,486
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

A native of Newfoundland, Canada, Bradley Truman Noel (1971–2022) was ordained by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador (PAONL) in 2000. He served as a youth pastor and taught Bible and theology at the college and university level for more than twenty years.

From 2008 to 2022, he taught at Tyndale University, a Christian school in Toronto, where he served as chair of the Christian Ministries Department. Brad previously taught at Acadia University, Vanguard College, and Master’s College and Seminary, where he created a variety of live and online courses.

He earned his Doctor of Ministry from Acadia University and his Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa.
 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 11

Introduction 13

1 Absolutely Absolute 19

2 Tinder, Tattoos, and Tequila 41

3 There's No "Holy" Without the Holy Spirit 63

4 Principles Are Principal 85

5 Oh, When the Saints Go Stumblin' Down 105

6 Who Cares What Other People Think? 127

7 Where's Solomon When You Need Him? 149

Final Thoughts 171

About the Author 173

Editorial Reviews

My colleague and friend, Dr. Bradley Noel, takes on a very practical examination of a centuries-long challenge that those who follow Jesus Christ have wrestled with. How do we become like the Holy One without losing our way into the excesses of legalism or license? In Tinder, Tattoos,and Tequila, Brad engages the historic tension between law and grace. The goal is that the reader ends up looking more like Jesus rather than a task-driven keeper of a code.
To achieve this goal, the author provides a widely applicable tool of five questions that the reader can engage as they address the various situations and decisions they make in life. These questions are addressed in a systematic, winsome, and consistently applicable manner. At a time when polarized thinking seems to rule the day, this book’s wise approach to living out gracious truth in everyday life is a highly valued resource for those who would be like Jesus and fulfill His mission.

Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada - Rev. David Wells

This accessible volume welcomes us to join in more fully on conversations we are already having (or should be!) in the church. Bradley Noel offers poignant and practical direction along the way toward thinking biblically and theologically about many of the very matters that actually matter to the church today, and he does so with his usual wit and humor, insight and understanding.

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary - Dr. Rick Wadholm Jr.

Knowing how to navigate moral decisions is more difficult than ever for Christians, especially when they don’t always agree on what’s the right or wrong thing to do! Dr. Bradley Noel provides a way forward, challenging both the legalist and libertarian to embrace a more biblical way of navigating the “gray” areas of morality. Drawing on years of experience as both a pastor and a theologian, Noel avoids a simplistic approach to resolving the “disputable matters” on which Christians may hold strong and yet opposing convictions, such as alcohol, tattoos, or even social media. Instead, he proposes a series of five questions aimed to guide the believer in discerning the direction of the Holy Spirit. Using real-life illustrations and humor, Noel engages the reader and imparts scriptural truth and practical wisdom, with the goal of forming disciples who are mature in their ability to make godly decisions in a complex world. Tinder, Tattoos, and Tequila would especially serve as a valuable guidebook for Christian youth and young adults.

Master’s College and Seminary, Peterborough, Ontario - Dr. Peter Neumann