Why Gambling Is Not Just a Game

In this episode, Dr. Douglas Groothuis shares a timely Christian reflection on gambling, prompted by a recent commentary from Al Mohler and cultural attention around the Kentucky Derby. Drawing from a short editorial he originally wrote in response to a proposed state-run gambling initiative in Alaska, Dr. Groothuis explores the moral, philosophical, and spiritual dangers of gambling through the lens of the Christian worldview.

From the addictive nature of gambling to the flawed utilitarian logic used to defend it, this episode challenges listeners to examine the ethics of state-sponsored betting, personal responsibility, and trust in divine providence rather than chance.

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🔑 Main Takeaways

• Understand why gambling is not a neutral activity, but a form of vice that undermines personal virtue and social trust.

• Learn the difference between investment risk and gambling risk, and why only one has ethical merit.

• Explore how gambling fosters covetousness, addiction, and misplaced hope, especially among the vulnerable.

• Discover why state sponsorship of gambling is especially troubling from a Christian ethical standpoint.

• Be reminded that the Christian work ethic, grounded in honesty and effort, stands in stark contrast to the gambling ethic of luck and chance.

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📖 Biblical Principles Referenced

• Work and Provision – Colossians 3:23–24, Proverbs 13:11

• Stewardship and Self-Control – 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Proverbs 28:20

• Trust in God vs. Chance – Proverbs 3:5–6, Matthew 6:33

• Warnings Against Covetousness and Greed – Luke 12:15, Exodus 20:17

• Moral Responsibility and Integrity – Proverbs 10:9, Ephesians 4:28

🔗 Relevant Resources & Mentions

• The Briefing by Al Mohler — Segment on gambling and the Kentucky Derby

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