Blurring the Line between Sacred and Secular

A recent interview with Stephen Mansfield, popular author who has written books about the faith of both Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, delves into the subject of his latest book, "God and Guinness," in which he explores the life of the Guinness family, whose fortune was made in brewing beer, and their attempts to integrate their faith with the way they lived their lives and ran their business, particularly as Christians within the Wesleyan tradition.

Mansfield says of Arthur Guinness, that he "was unusual in that he absorbed [John]Wesley’s social teaching very deeply and lived it out more radically than most. He took care of the poor, started hospitals and ran his company in a way that was radical -- paying 20 percent more for salaries than most other people and providing benefits to his employees that would challenge the accomplishments of Microsoft and Google today."

Those who wonder about the congruence of Christian principles and brewing beer need to understand the historical context. In the 1600's, clean water was unattainable. The options were between water which could make one sick, or wine or hard liquor. Home-brewed gin was a scourge. Alcoholism was rampant, as were water-borne illnesses. By contrast, "beer was healthy. It had a variety of B-complex vitamins. It was lower in alcohol content than the other drinks. It was more nutritious in every way. To answer this scourge of alcoholism, social reformers began to brew and encourage drinking beer. By the time Arthur Guinness came along, the brewing of beer was seen as a positive factor in society."

The Guinness company has continued the tradition of public service, instituting programs contributing to the public health of Dublin, Ireland. They have eschewed the modern corporate mantra of "profit at all costs," continuing to be a model for the equitable treatment of workers and being a good corporate citizen.

As a life-long teetotaler, I am nevertheless inspired by the example of Arthur Guinness and his ability to merge faith and life. May we all strive to do the same, that we might blur the lines, in a good way, between what is sacred and what is secular.