I have been really studying Romans 14 a lot recently. No, I’m not thinking of becoming a vegetarian. Ever since I was a kid I could never reconcile the things I was always taught about “stumbling blocks” with the actual words I was reading in this chapter.

1) I was always taught that if a Christian did something “questionable” and a non-Christian saw them we might prevent them from becoming a Christian. As I read this chapter over and over I don’t see this. The discourse is in reference to others who are already Christians. It calls them weaker brothers, but it never once mentions someone that does not believe in Christ. As a matter of fact that stumbling referred to is that we cause someone who is already following Christ to do something they believe to be wrong because they don’t have the same freedom we have. Which in that case it says both have sinned. Sin itself points to this only being about other Christians. Why would a non-Christian view these things in terms of sin. They aren’t playing by the same rule book that we are. Sin comes from our rule book, not theirs. Which brings me to point #2

2) Of course I was also taught that a “questionable” action around another Christian that does not agree with it was also a stumbling block. I see this as only partly right. In verses 3 and 4 Paul says:
“Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won’t. And those who won’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should.”
This simply says don’t condemn someone who believes differently than you. It specifically says God has accepted them. It even says each person is responsible to the Lord. There is no directive here to stop doing something just because someone else doesn’t agree with it. Read verse 10:
“So don’t condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian’s path. ”
Again, we find an admonishment here not to condemn another Christian for believing different than we do. It doesn’t say those who don’t believe in something must stop everyone else from doing it. It doesn’t say that those who do believe in it should force others to do it with them. It gives some latitude. It gives some personal freedom. It appears that the stumbling block here is not the act itself. It is condemnation of someone who does not agree with your interpretation.

3) So, am I saying I believe it is OK to do anything I want, anytime I want? No, I do think there comes a point where certain acts can be sinful even if they aren’t wrong. Read verse 21:
“Don’t eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble.”
At first glance that appears to be a blanket statement against doing anything another Christian might disagree with, although the above verses simply don’t agree with that. It is important however to understand the context. Paul is writing to the Roman believers about issues that have arisen when they gather. The issues of eating meat or drinking wine were only issues because eating is part of what these believers did when they gathered together. This was common practice. They understood this. That means Paul was not issuing a blanket condemnation. It seems he was saying if certain people believe eating meat is wrong but they can’t stop themselves from eating it when available then don’t make it available to them. Don’t give them reason to sin against their own conscience. It doesn’t say don’t have something around just because someone else thinks it is wrong. If someone believes it is wrong and is strong enough to refrain even if available then I can find no condemnation to have it around.

In conclusion, from what I read in this chapter the church has cherry picked a couple of verses to come up with a meaning that simply isn’t there. It seems that there are 2 stumbling blocks listed in this chapter:
1) Condemnation of other Christians for not agreeing with you interpretations of right and wrong.
2) Providing another Christian with the means to do something which would cause them to sin against their own conscience and morals.

Any thoughts?