Mayor Bloomberg, God, and Soda Pop

In his June 8, 2012 Political Commentary, pollster Scott Rasmussen wrote that, "Mayor Michael Bloomberg ignited a firestorm of debate with his proposal to ban super-size sugary drinks in New York City. Critics bashed his nanny-statism, but supporters like first lady Michelle Obama hailed his courage."

On the same day, Representative Randy Forbes of Virginia's Fourth District sent a survey to his constituents to determine their position on Mayor Bloomberg's action.

Since this is obviously a hot political issue, how should the Christian community respond to this, particularly when Michelle Obama, who also identifies herself as a Christian, is openly supporting Mayor Bloomberg for postulating a "government knows best" approach for better health?

The first thing a Christian should do is to see if the Bible yields any principles on this matter that  Christians should be following anyway.

I believe the first great principle comes from the Exodus. Though Moses doesn't specifically say so, one of the more common beverages in 1445BC, aside from water, was Egyptian beer. So when the Israelites left Egypt, they left "cold turkey" and until they entered the Promised Land and could grow their own vineyards, all God gave them to drink was water.

Again, we have no direct Biblical instruction on this. But by the Father's action, we see that his preferred beverage for the Israelite nation was water, which unlike Egyptian beer is caloric free.

Though not instructed to do so, we have the Father's example of only providing water as the main beverage of choice for adult and child alike. This principle has documented medical benefits.

So, the difference between water/wine and any soda pop is that soda pop is a created beverage with chemical content including heavy doses of sugar or sugar substitutes which are now gathering medical warnings.

Lessons In Governing, Essay 13,  Towards a National Dietary Policy & Its Political Challenges,  points out that YHWH gave the Israelites a list of approved foods to eat including a series of tests to determine while on hunting expeditions, which animals and fish were safe to kill and eat.

While some poo-poo this list, it is, nonetheless, the basis for many so called heart healthy diets.

What the Christian community can take from this is that YHWH is concerned enough about our physical health to have had Moses write down in Torah what to eat and what not to eat.

So by principle, soda pop consumption should be a non-issue within the Christian community. Again, by YHWH's example, the primary beverage should be water along with other more "natural" beverages made from plants (tea, coffees) and fruits (including wine).

The soda pop industry will no doubt disagree with this premise.

Now we get to the second issue: should the government intercede as Mayor Bloomberg is advocating and Mrs. Obama is supporting?

From the time of the Exodus until Saul became King, YHWH was King of Israel. He was also the entire government bureaucracy as Jesus is with the New Testament ekklesia today.

As both king and government rolled into one, God gave the Israelites choice. They could choose blessings and life or curses and death.  What is rarely taught in the church today is that the decision to choose blessings and life, curses or death, has national consequences to it.

Isn't this what we're seeing with the national obesity rate and its impact on increasing diabetes rates throughout city, state and nation?

So where, then, does the responsibility fall in the new Soda Pop Wars?

By principle, God As Government issued the warning. After that, it was up to the people to obey or suffer the consequences.

At one level, Mayor Bloomberg should be a hearty advocate for his position.

But at another level there is welfare and food stamps. And here we have an excellent example from the Exodus.

While wandering in the Wilderness, YHWH fed the Israelites (being God, he could afford it!).  Since God As Government fed the Israelites, He determined what they would eat. This was water, manna (a supernatural food given daily except on Shabbat) and quail (one of the leanest in fat content of all fowl).

Modeling YHWH, the place where the government can have direct control is when it pays for the food. This, then, opens the door to examine school lunches and snacks, welfare contribution guidelines, and food stamp guidelines for both food and beverage consumption.

Of course, one doesn't need to be a political pundit to figure out the kind of backlash such a move would create. After all, even after being liberated and having their prayers for freedom answered, the Israelites stood in their doorway of their tents literally wailing and crying because they missed the meat pots given them in Egypt.

Leadership has its consequences.

But other than this, advocacy and choice is how Mayor Bloomberg might best proceed in the Soda Pop Wars. And the Christian community, being a priesthood of believers, light and salt, should by their actions and testimony lead the way, and in so doing, bring blessing and life on themselves and the city, state and nation as a whole.


Peter Lawrence Alexander is the author of Lessons In Governing: The Inseparable Relationship of God, Man and Government.