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HOUSMAIL
HM118
26 October 2004 WINE, WHISKY
OR SOMETHING BETTER? DOUBTFUL
DISPUTATION I
know that it is unlikely that this short article can resolve the vexed
question as to whether or not drinking alcohol is a salvation issue. That has
been with us since Paul wrote about it in the 1st century! But I do have an
opinion. I personally believe that it belongs in Paul’s list of subjects
which he calls "doubtful disputation". It
is noteworthy that Paul’s discussion of the subject says that some brethren
are "weak". By inference the others are "strong".
However
in all of those cases Paul also makes it clear that the STRONG brother will never
flaunt his "strength" before the weaker brother. To do so would be
a serious failure of brotherly love. Of
course, reading between the lines, it ought also to be expected that the
weaker brothers will grow stronger as their faith matures! IS
DRINKING WINE A SIN? Based
on considerable study of the subject, I don’t believe it is! The Bible
nowhere says that drinking wine is a sin. However drunkenness is another
matter! That is listed amongst the sins which, if never repented of and
discontinued, are a barrier to any inheritance in the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10) However,
whilst I am personally convinced that the prohibitionist opinion is
Biblically wrong, I respect the consciences of those who think otherwise.
That is the main point of what Paul is trying to tell us in Romans 14. We may not attempt
to compel others to join in activities which their weaker conscience regards
as sinful. WINE
FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES? Paul
does tell Timothy that he should take a little wine occasionally "for the
sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments". (1 Timothy 5:23) It
is a pity we don't know which particular ailments Paul was
"prescribing" for! It just might advance the cause of medicine in
the 21st century! However the main point worthy of notice here, is that
Paul's recommendation was for "medicinal purposes". You certainly
can't use that verse to justify recreational drinking! But
since we can't be adamant about the precise "Biblical Health
Benefits" of wine, let us concentrate for a moment on what we do know
the Scriptures say about other aspects of its use. IS
IT REALLY WINE? Over
the course of many years, I have read all the arguments which are advanced by
the prohibitionists, to claim that the "wine", or "new
wine", or "fruit of the vine", in the Bible was not wine at
all, but actually unfermented grape juice. I confess that personally, I find
them most unconvincing. The
Bible mentions wine often. And in context, it is quite obvious that the
several Hebrew and Greek words mostly refer to REAL wine made by fermenting
grape juice. A careful unbiased word study of the several Hebrew and Greek
words used in the Bible will easily dispel prohibitionist claims that they
actually refer only to unfermented grape juice. One
thing is certain -- You can't get drunk on unfermented GRAPE JUICE! BUT you certainly can on New Testament NEW WINE! (Acts 2:13-15) There
can be even less doubt that the "fruit of the vine" used at
the Passover Feast in Jesus day, was alcoholic wine. Jewish
historical sources tell us clearly that real wine was used for the Passover
meal. However, it probably wasn’t full strength. According to reliable
sources, it was most likely mixed with water in the same proportions which
are still fixed in modern tradition today, amongst orthodox Jews. JOHN
THE BAPTIST By
the direction of the angel to Zechariah before he was conceived, John did not
drink wine or other strong drink. (Luke 1:15) Jesus made mention of this. (Luke
7:33) JESUS
WAS NOT A NAZIRITE Jesus
was not subject to the same restriction! He did drink alcohol sometimes. He
said so. (Luke 7:34)
And his first miracle was at a wedding feast, where he changed water into
wine. (John 2:1-11) ABOUT
MODERATE DRINKERS? Have
you ever noticed that those Christians who do argue in favour of drinking
wine "in moderation", often seem to drink quite a bit more
than a "moderate little"? And have you also noticed it takes
a LOT less to affect physical coordination and activity of the mind, than
most people like to kid themselves (or boast to others!) that they can
"handle"? Tell
me -- all you who do drink alcohol -- just what is the point at which one's
blood alcohol level passes across the barrier from "completely O.K. with
God", to the condition where the control of the faculties is affected
enough to cloud judgment, slow down the reflexes, and be potentially
dangerous to others -- and DRUNK by God's standards? Does
God have a 0.05% blood alcohol "legal cut off" driving equivalent?
Do you know what it is? Really? And
why is it that so many of those who are most vigorous in defending their
"right" to drink alcohol, also seem to want to FLAUNT
it before others, and even encourage others that they should drink too! All
too often that seems to result in some spiritual damage to the conscience of
a "weaker brother"! (Romans 14:1, 1
Corinthians 8:10) WINE
GLADDENS THE HEART The
Old Testament says that wine "gladdens the heart". (Ecclesiastes 10:19, Psalm 104:15) So,
some may ask, --- What could possibly be wrong with that? Isn’t it a good
thing to be happy? Not
always! For a start we should remember that the Bible also says that "Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1)
Under the influence of alcohol, many rage, and many more deceive themselves!
When the alcohol starts "talking", men laugh themselves silly --
about nothing much at all! And they call that having fun! The
bottom line is simply this -- if the "Fruit of the Spirit" is
growing and flourishing in our hearts, as it is meant to, we should not need
wine for that purpose! Remember? The fruit of the Holy Spirit is ..... JOY! To say that we also
need to drink alcohol to assist in gladdening our hearts, is tantamount to a
confession that we do not have as much of the Spirit of God as we should! PRACTICAL
ISSUES While
the Bible does not say drinking alcohol is a sin, it becomes a serious
problem when drinkers place a stumbling block in the path of others by
FLAUNTING their "rights" to imbibe any time they choose. Our
Church Communion service is in a different category. People are invited to
visit our Church on the clear understanding that REAL wine will be used at
the communion BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT TO DO SO. And if their personal
sensitivity can't cope with being present when they know real wine is being
used, they are allowed, without offence on our part, to exercise their
personal freedom to vote with their feet! A
MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE? By
my own freewill choice, I don't drink alcohol. (Except of course for that
tiny sip at the weekly Sunday Communion) But it isn’t because I think it is a
sin! My own choice not to drink is a personal thing between me and God. And
for the record, I am convinced that I "feel" better and function
better without it. THE
BOTTOM LINE "Let every man be persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5) Allon |