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:

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.

and

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.

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