I recently started pursuing a new hobby – brewing. I’m fascinated by it. I’m soaking up as much information about it as I can. I’m fascinated by the chemistry, the history and, especially, the theology associated with wine. Wait…What? An ordained minister interested in brewing? A theology of wine? Isn’t alcohol sinful?
Hold those thoughts for a second…
Ok, that’s better. I’m settled into the recliner, cold Sam Adams in hand and the sounds of Miles Davis drifting across the room. This is my relaxing and writing place.
I’ve been taught my whole life that wine is of the devil. I can remember very early hearing sermons about the evils of alcohol. Being educated in a Christian school with strong independent, fundamental baptist ties, I heard chapel speakers, bible teachers, pastors, evangelists, teachers, and administrators preach against drinking with such fervor that one would be led to believe that certainly God meant for there to be an eleventh commandment prohibiting the consumption of alcohol. My family didn’t drink. I’ve never seen my parents drink. I’ve never seen my grandparents or any other extended family drink. I wasn’t even around anyone drinking until I was well into college. It was around that time that I began to, as so many do, question what I had been taught; particularly regarding issues of morality (or perceptions of morality). Yet, I still didn’t drink. Not because I had a moral objection to it, but only because it was the way I had been raised and I’ve never been one who has been easily swayed to do something merely because someone else is.
I really began to question things when I was in seminary. There were so many things I had been taught that just didn’t seem consistent with what I read in Scripture. I believe that Christians should aspire to the testimony of the Bereans in Acts 17:2, who, “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” I have found in my study that the scriptures and the history of the church teach a much different view of alcoholic drink than what was presented to me. Volumes could be written (and have been) discussing biblical teaching on alcohol. But this is a blog, not a book. So, I’ll hit some highlights that have been crucial to my understanding of this topic.
First, Jesus turned water to wine. Prohibitionist brethren, you can preach to me all you want about low % alcohol content or grape juice. But those arguments don’t hold up. Where the Bible says “wine”, it means wine, not grape juice.
“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. John 2:9-11
I don’t see any possibility for this to be a grape juice a la welch’s or a low % alcohol. However, teetotaling friends, even if I grant you the possibility that Jesus created a low % alcohol, it’s still alcohol and then becomes a question of quality vs. quantity. Jesus made wine for people to enjoy.
Second, Jesus drank alcohol. Hold up! Stoke up the fires! Heretic! Yes, Jesus seemed to be quite fond of both food and wine. So much so that scripture says,
“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” Matthew 11:19
Jesus had a reputation as a social guy. He liked a good dinner party. He enjoyed the food, drink and company. A reputation as a “winebibber” doesn’t come from abstinence.
Third, God encourages the enjoyment of alcoholic drinks. Deuteronomy 14 has had a huge impact on my perspective of alcohol. Go read the whole chapter. It starts off with a rundown of the animals that God told the Israelites that they could and couldn’t eat. About midway through the chapter, it transitions into commandments concerning tithing their produce and worshiping God through feasting on his provision at the appointed time and place…
“And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.” Deuteronomy 14:23
But God has blessed some of his children so much that they can’t comply with this command. They don’t have the means to transport even a tithe of what they have been blessed with…
“And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:” Deuteronomy 14:24
What should they do?
“Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:” Deuteronomy 14:25
Then these verses, which I believe clearly conveys God’s perspective on whether it’s ok for his children to indulge in alcohol…
“And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.” Deuteronomy 14:26-29
and consider this…
“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that makes the heart of man glad and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart.” Psalm 104:14-15
Not only is it permissible to drink, but in these contexts, it is an act of worship and celebration of God’s blessing. God has provided these drinks for our enjoyment. It’s interesting to note also that specific instructions are given to share with the Levites, who were the priestly tribe. So, if we were to apply a modern equivalent of this teaching…If God has blessed you, you probably owe your pastor a bottle of nice wine. And not only him, but also others who are in need of a good cheery feast. Could this Old Testament passage be a foreshadowing of the New Testament’s communion or Christian love feast. When we eat the bread and drink the cup, we do it in rememberance of Christ…It is a celebration of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and anticipation of the blessings to come.
I unashamedly enjoy God’s gift of wine. My savior is the greatest vinter and it is his example that I strive toward. On that note, I need to go check on my first batch of mead that is fermenting in the kitchen. May God bless our wine that we may soon enjoy and share his creation.
If you’re interested in this topic, check out these resources:
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God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says about Alcohol
By Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. / Oakdown Books Kenneth Gentry presents a balanced, biblical, and easy-to-read evaluation of the arguments, pro and con about Christians drinking alcoholic beverages. Writing in a pleasing and moderate style, Gentry’s approach avoids the common pitfalls of emotionalism, cultural conditioning and ecclesiastical tradition, while remaining distinctively biblical. |
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Drinking with Calvin and Luther: A History of Alcohol in the Church
By Jim West / Oakdown Books Have a pint with the Puritans? Luther, Calvin and Zwingli—these men are better known for their theology than their taste in beer. Charles Wesley and George Whitefield—these men are known more for their witness than their wine. Prepared to learn something new? In this completely revised and expanded version of his underground classic, Rev. Jim West takes you through centuries of Christian history, looking at the role alcohol played in the church during the Protestant Reformation, in the American colonies, into the time of Charles Spurgeon and beyond. With humor and wit, West winds through time showing in generation after generation how God’s saints have enjoyed his many good gifts in reverence, thankfulness, and moderation. |
Technorati Tags: Wine, Mead, Alcohol, Brewing, Practical Theology, Drinking, Christian Morality
Couldn’t agree with you more with you on this subject! Brother, I am confused about your new position that has developed with the free masons.
Thanks for reading & commenting. The abstinence position has bewildered me for awhile. Historically, it is a relatively new interpretation of biblical teaching which only really gained acceptance during prohibitionist movements in the early 20th century. I had a history professor in college whose research focused on civil rights movements. He believed prohibitionist movements to be inseperably tied to early feminist ideology. As the media and communication were much different in the early 1900s, the local pub was still the central community gathering place where news was exchanged and business and politics were negotiated. Considering these were primarily male establishments and women remained in the home, women’s rights movements had much to gain by aligning with prohibitionists. The movement swept our churches and became ingrained in subsequent generations that have largely chosen to remain ignorant of the previous 1900 years of church history.
On another note, I’m not sure what you’re asking about my position on masonry. It hasn’t changed. I don’t recall ever having any misgivings about it. Have we discussed it before? I’m certainly open to discussion.
Very interesting and well-written. I don’t disagree. Unfortunately, if you still have aspirations of being hired somewhere as a Southern Baptist minister, your position on adult beverages would probably keep you from getting the job. In fact, the Church Covenant of FBCA – which each person supposedly agrees to before joining the church – states that as a church member we will “abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage.” Many other denominations would not consider it an issue.
It’s not a sin to have a Sam Adams, just a shame you didn’t go with something like a Chimay or a Duvel, two great beers made by monks!
BTW, the same covenant Linda mentioned refers to “tattling” as well. It is time to update the covenant.
Thoughtful blog.
Grace and peace,
Bill
Friend, I just posted above and then read some of your other posts. I was surprised to read that you were entering Freemasonry. You should seek the advice of some of the men whose blogs you read on this. I’ll not rehash what you have surely already studied on the subject, but if God is the focus of Freemasonry, why keep it secret? Also, why can Masons use a Quran or a Book of Mormon instead of a Bible? Do all paths lead to God or is Jesus the only way? I can’t help but think that your tagline should be reversed and that you are going back into darkness.
Bill
Bill,
I started responding to your post and realized that I’m too long winded to reply in a comments section. Instead, I posted a blog post in response (LINK) Thanks for reading. I love receiving comments. It helps to know that someone is paying attention and interested in my little corner of the world.
Linda, I don’t have any aspirations of being hired or getting a job as a Southern Baptist minister. God has called me to a ministry of preaching and teaching, not the role of being someone’s employee. I will minister the gospel wherever the opportunity presents itself. If a church is interested in my ministry, I won’t pretend to believe something that I don’t in order to appease them. I will endeavor also to “examine the Scriptures to see if those things were so” and “declare to you the full counsel of God.” If that means running awry of a church covenant, then so be it.
Many of our church covenants are steeped in extra-biblical legalism that the Apostle Paul explicitly warned about in Colossians 2:20-23
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
I’ve read several church covenants near us that prohibited drinking alcohol, dancing and going to movies. It seems silly to me that these are the standards of holiness required of our membership, yet seldom is a prospective or current member questioned regarding their theology. In fact, joining or leaving a church is one of the easiest things anyone can do. It is easier to join a church than to get a library card. Here’s Joe. Joe says he’s a Christian and wants to join the church. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? (Didn’t think so, because nobody knows Joe or what he believes.) Everyone welcome Joe into the church with the right hand of Christian fellowship. As long as Joe doesn’t do those things we don’t like, whether they are in the Bible or not, he’ll fit in fine. So many of our churches emphasize the wrong things. As a whole, we seem more concerned with converting people to our standards than the image of Christ. Just my observation, but it seems that churches that frequently explain how to become a member don’t usually experience membership growth and most of the churches growing in membership don’t have to explain how one becomes a member.
Food for thought, one local congegation began examining their church covenant and by-laws to determine whether they were consistent with biblical teaching. They found that they were not, particularly pertaining to alcohol. Rather than require a different standard of holiness of their members than Christ requires, they rewrote their documents.
Marcus,
I’ll check out the link now… and I appreciate you taking the time to write.
I think you are spot on with examining the covenant. The standard one used by many Baptists today was written in the 1800′s and uses archaic language such as “tattling”, etc. It names certain sins but not others and elevates some non-sins to sin status. I recommend churches rethinking their covenant as well as the way they accept members.
Grace,
Bill
I definitely agree with you both on the need to rewrite the documents – they are hopelessly outdated; however, until they are rewritten, they remain “in force” and should be treated with respect. Otherwise, the very reason for having church guidelines goes out the window. (A parallel would be someone breaking a public law and pleading that since it was an “outdated” law it shouldn’t be upheld. While we might agree, the law is the law, and until it is changed, it is enforceable.)
Of course, if the church ignores the By-Laws, Constitution, and/or Covenant – as does ours (or should I say portions of, depending on who wants what or whatever is convenient at the time) – then all three SHOULD be thrown out the window!
Marc, I have personally fought the battle to update our church documents on several occasions over the years, to no avail. While those members who had a hand in the original writing or acceptance of those documents still have a say, I dare say changes will not be made. It is discouraging, to say the least. If you have any thoughts on how to overcome the opposition, please let me know. For the most part, I think I’m the only person who cares one way or the other.