6 Truths About Alcohol in the Bible (is drinking a sin?)
Is drinking a sin?
Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as alcohol in the Bible. What’s interesting about the debate surrounding this topic is that it’s relatively new. Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned.
Not only has it not been condemned, but beer and wine have played a role in church tradition. The Guinness family created their famous Irish Stout as an act of worship to God. John Calvin had a 250-gallon wine stipend written into his church contract. And there were many monks that brewed their own beer. It wasn’t until more recently that we started to question whether drinking is a sin.
I’ve seen numerous articles written on this topic. Yet despite all the content, I see very little clarity. So in this article I want to look at drinking in the Bible and see what it really says.
What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol?
What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol? If you are a follower of Jesus this is the first and most important question that we should ask. In the midst of all our thoughts and feelings, what should take precedent is what the Bible actually says.
Let’s start by looking at some of the most commonly used Bible verses about alcohol: Ephesians 5:18, Numbers 28:7-10, Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:23, Proverbs 23:20-21, Romans 14:21, Isaiah 5:22, Leviticus 10:9, Ecclesiastes 9:7, 1 Timothy 3:8, Proverbs 31:6-7, Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14
If you want a more exhaustive list check out: List Of Bible Verses About Alcohol
If you read through these passages what you will see is alcohol talked about in various ways. Sometimes the dangers of alcohol are warned against (Ephesians 5:18). While other times alcohol is talked about in a more positive light (Amos 9:14, Ecclesiastes 9:7). The Bible doesn’t take a black-and-white approach to drinking. It warns against the dangers and talks about the blessings.
What often happens with the topic of drinking in the Bible is that Christians drift towards the verses that support their view and ignore the others.
The Bible lives in this tension with the issue of drinking. It never condemns it, but it often warns against the abuse of it. And we should live in this tension too. So let’s break down these verses into truths we can pull from alcohol in the Bible. This will help us better see if drinking is a sin.
6 Truths About Alcohol In The Bible
Here’s what the Bible teaches us about alcohol.
1. The Bible Portrays Alcohol As A Blessing From God
This might be surprising to some, but throughout the Old Testament alcohol is regularly seen as a blessing from God.
Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14 for example say that wine is a blessing from God and a few chapters later it says having no wine is a curse (Deuteronomy 28:38, 51). Psalms 104 says that wine gladdens the heart of man. And let’s not forget that Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine… and no it wasn’t grape juice.
These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. But the reality is the Bible teaches that alcohol can be a good and enjoyable thing. That’s not to say there’s no warnings. We’ll deal with those in the next point. But anyone who wants to claim drinking is a sin has to face the sometimes positive light the Bible talks about alcohol in.
2. The Bible Continually Warns Against The Abuse Of Alcohol
The Bible holds drinking in tension. On one hand it talks about how it can a blessing. But on the other hand it warns of the damaging effects it can have if it’s abused.
Many times the Bible says that drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians 5:6, Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3 to name a few). Oftentimes the word that is translated as drunkenness also carries with it the connotation of a perpetual state of being drunk. In other words, the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring.
The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused, and that is a sin.
These passages have led many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin, because of the dangers of abusing it. However, we ought to be careful and not add to the Bible. What is clear is that the abuse of alcohol is a sin.
3. The Bible Says People Are More Important Than Your Freedom
It might seem that up to this point that as long as you don’t get drunk or become addicted it’s okay for Christians to drink. But this issue isn’t just a personal decision; it’s one that needs to be made in community. We should consider how our decisions affect those around us.
The Bible talks about this in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. We should be considerate of others’ struggles, and we should strive for unity rather than creating division.
4. The Bible Says The Gospel Takes Precedent
The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). Nothing should hinder that.
There are certain cultures and countries where drinking would prohibit the spread of the Gospel. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 is trying to drive that home. If your drinking hinders someone coming to know Jesus then we should abstain. The Gospel is more important.
5. The Bible Says Alcohol Is Good For Medical Reasons
The Bible talks about the medicinal qualities of alcohol. Paul told Timothy, “Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness.” (1 Timothy 5:23)
There are some that say drinking is a sin because there’s no health benefits. And as modern medicine advances there’s much better options to deal with issues. But in the First Century there were certain benefits to the occasional drink.
6. The Bible Never Forbids Alcohol In Moderation
Here’s the bottom line. Alcohol is never outright forbidden. There isn’t a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. There’s also no verse that classifies exactly how many drinks you can have and exactly what drunk is. It’s a grey area of the Bible. The only thing that’s clear is the abuse of alcohol through drunkenness or addiction that is a sin.
Those claiming that all drinking is a sin don’t have support from the Bible. The Bible keeps this issue in the grey, up for each Christian to decide what’s the wisest and most loving thing for them to do.
So, Is Drinking A Sin?
So, is drinking a sin? No, drinking is not a sin. There’s simply nothing in the Bible that says all drinking is a sin.
Why then do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when it’s not in the Bible? I think it comes from a good place. The abuse of alcohol has caused incredible damage and pain in so many lives. Rather than advocating for moderation many simply claim that we must avoid it altogether.
But again, we ought to be careful not to add to what the Bible says. When we add rules that aren’t in the Bible we are making it harder for people to come to know Jesus. The Bible never condemns the consumption of alcohol but rather the abuse of it.
Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesn’t mean it has to be avoided. Under that logic, we should all get rid of our money to fend off materialism. The Bible talks a lot about the dangers of money, and yet almost no one is advocating for Christians to rid themselves of their money.
Just because alcohol can be abused doesn’t mean it needs to be avoided in all situations. It means that we should act cautiously. We should keep a close eye to make sure nothing takes the place of God in our life.
Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. We don’t need to avoid those things just because they might do us harm. Rather we should see them as they are intended and not elevate them to an unhealthy level.
There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer for. I know this makes some uncomfortable; we like to know exactly where that line is. Exactly where our actions become sin. But in some topics the Bible just doesn’t do that.
So, how should Christians decide if they are going to drink or not? Here’s two questions to help you wisely make that decision.
- What’s the wisest and most loving thing for me to do?
- How will this affect those around me?
A hard lesson for us to learn is that while we may have the freedom to do something, it still has a consequence. We may lose influence because of the choices we make. There are people in our life that we have the opportunity to positively influence. There are relationships worth holding onto. How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles?
You will never leave an impact on anyone if you just hold onto your freedoms and do what you want. Sometimes you have to give up something so that you can gain influence in someone’s life to help them see the change they need to make. That’s why Paul said, “I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Each person is in a unique situation and will have to determine this themselves. Who’s around you that you can impact? And in light of them what is the wisest and most loving thing for you to do? We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesn’t always make it the best thing for us to do.
FAQs About Drinking In The Bible
I want to end by answering some of the frequently asked questions about alcohol in the Bible.
1. Wasn’t Wine Basically Grape Juice In Bible Times?
This is an argument that’s gained momentum in recent years, that wine in the Bible is really nothing more than grape juice. Or it was so diluted with water it doesn’t really count as alcohol. You could drink as much as you wanted and not get drunk. Therefore Jesus nor the Biblical writers advocated for drinking. But the problem is that it is not substantiated in Scripture.
It is true that many of the wines probably had a slightly lower ABV (Alcohol by Volume) than today’s wine. However we know from the Bible that the wine still had plenty of kick in it to get wasted on. That’s why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). And that’s why the Bible warns against getting drunk on wine.
Also, wine isn’t the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. The Bible also talks about a “strong drink” made with fermented barley, aka beer. This rudimentary beer contained an average ABV of 6% – 12%, certainly not a low alcohol count.
The Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. But in moderation, it is encouraged. God even commands the Israelites to go buy beer and celebrate before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:26).
The alcohol in the Bible did not have as low alcohol content as some claim. We know this from what the Bible says and from historians who have studied alcohol during this time period.
2. Will Drinking Hurt Your Witness?
We’ve already touched on this a little above. But this is a common question, so I wanted to address it from the other side. Some people claim drinking is a sin because it hurts your testimony.
Now there is some truth in that. In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you.
However, the vast majority of non-Christians are not put off by drinking in Western culture. But they are put off by arbitrary rules created by Christians. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. It might actually help your witness to have a beer with your neighbor and break down some of the misconceptions about Christianity.
In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. Of course that will depend on where you live, that’s not universally true. However for the most part drinking in moderation will not hurt your witness in Western societies.
Paul says “all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient, all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” I Cor 6:12
The use of alcohol requires much discernment and discipline; when to partake, when not to, and how much. If you choose to drink (I enjoy a bourbon once in a while), set guidelines for yourself, Remember Romans 14. Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ should take priority and if our liberty hinders our testimony with a particular person, you should abstain from drinking around that person. The true test of whether “drinking is a sin or not” is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit has convicted you of drinking, then at that point, it has become a sin for you…Paul says that whatever is not done in faith is sin…Rom 14:23
God Bless
Hi! Please make a post regarding marijuana, I am very interested to know
this is a question like dancing…..sin is not the issue…..the question becomes IS IT POROFITABLE?
I don’t believe that the wine spoken of in the bible was fermented because they made wine everyday. It never said that they drank aged wine.
Every drunkard begins with a little. I have seen what alcohol can do to families. You begin with a sip and thinking” I know my limit” you begin to consume it. You will never know when it will overtake you. I have seen good sensible organised men fall and their families destroyed. Its like playing with fire. Eve thought she wasn’t doing anything wrong by looking at the apple but it ultimately led to sin. Drink wine if you must. But stay away from other strong alcohol.
I agree, Drink wine in moderation and We will be fine, I have a pastor say that he drinks it
“Drinking will not hurt your witness in America”.
What an irresponsible, unthinking statement to make. It most certainly MAY hurt it in any given situation. I myself have chosen to be a non-drinking Christian based in part on testimony shared with me from non-Christian friends who judge a Christian to be a hypocrite once they see them drinking, to one who said he would lose hope for change in his own life if he saw a Christian acquaintance drinking.
I get your point about it not be expressly condemned in the Bible, but to claim it cannot hurt your witness in America…well, brother, you know not of what you speak. Let not our “freedom” be exercised with so little awareness of the condition of a perishing world around us.
You are right. I don’t agree with the harshness and the universality of that statement I made. This blog post had been on my list to update for awhile to clarify and rework some of my points. I rewrote it last week and updated it this morning. One of the things I fixed was exactly what you pointed out. Not sure what I was thinking 4 years ago when I wrote it, but when I read it I knew it needed to be reworded.
Sometimes I come of more harsh than I mean. I fix it when I see it, but sometimes it takes me awhile. I’m a work in progress and that makes me thankful for God’s grace.
Thanks for reading!
Yes! Many of our church up here believe the wine in the Bible was merely just grape juice back then! Thank you for that!
We are still easily drawn to legalism today. Just because something can be abused we think it has to be avoided. So we add rules to the rules to give an extra hedge of protection. Rarely does that play out how we had hoped.
I just came across this post on pinterest, and I found it very interesting. I was born and raised in Germany, where alcohol is acceptable among Christians. When I moved to the US I thought it strange that American Christians have this taboo around alcohol. Jesus turned water into wine, remember?
I’m glad you found Rethink! I too find it interesting how different parts of the world view alcohol. I’ve been in countries where no one thinks twice about having a beer with dinner. And other countries where you would be kicked out of the church if drink anything.
Christians often like to add rules to what the Bible says. And I do think this rule comes from a good place. Alcohol has brought damage and pain to many. But the Bible never prohibits it. And just because something can be abused doesn’t mean it has to be avoided. Afterall, just about everyhing can be abused.
It’s easy to deception here. When a “christian” says the Bible “damces around…” or it doesn’t give a straight answer is a warning sign. Wisdom and common sense before going into scripture on this tells me this article is of Deception and lie’s. First off everything God made was good. ‘Man’ has come along and ruined everything good thing God has created. Wine/alcohol wasn’t fermented back then. Alcohol is a drug. Why when scripture tells us numerous times to have a sound mind, would God want man to do drugs? If Christian’s are to be the light of the world, how can they be if they’re doing the same exact thing that unbelievers and the unsaved are doing? This article is a LIE and DECEPTION from the Devil. Another ‘tickle your ear’ , sugar coat and give the people what they wanna hear, garbage! Scripture tells us to “be ye separate”, “don’t touch the unclean thing”. Alcohol is a drug, just cause it’s legal it’s still a drug. Don’t put alcohol in a different category than what it is. If you can read this article thinking God is ok with you doing drugs, mixing in with the world, doing what the unsaved do, being a Sunday Saint and a Monday Ain’t, sippin’ and dippin’ all week long than slide in church, you’re mistaken. This article is misleading, and trying to use scripture to back up it’s LIES. This is the DEVIL at his finest. Use WISDOM and COMMON sense, along with a better teacher of the Word of God.
Proverbs 20:1 KJB
To not be wise is to be a fool.
Most often wine is in Scripture meaning juice. Search the King James Bible for the word juice. You will not find it. It’s because old english uses wine in place of juice. It does refer to old wine(leavened or fermented wine) and new wine(juice), but without context the word wine is either. That’s where your confusion is coming in. Alcohol is bad! It’s called spirit’s for a reason. Even the US government knows it’s a sin, that why they put a sin tax on it. Jesus/God is against alcohol for any recreational beverage.
I agree that the Bible never says “thou shalt not drink alcohol”. It does say drunkenness is a sin, and there are many who don’t know where the line is for them … 2 drinks? 4? Is a buzz OK? My main concerns with drinking are that having a drink with someone and/or offering them one can easily be aiding and abetting an alcoholic or at least tempting them beyond what they are able to refuse. There is also the danger that the alcoholic will have just one with me, but then, given the nature of their “disease”, need to have several more after they leave me until their need is sated, which is usually when they are drunk. Then they are prone to accidents (esp. driving ) and probable problems with their families when they get home. I know it needs to be a personal choice, but my experience with it has led me to believe it is best for most of us, especially the Christian, to have a glass of ice tea or soda or anything non-alcoholic with those who are imbibing. We can still be sociable, yet not contribute to anyone else’s issues and remain “set apart”, as God says we are to be. I want to show that it’s possible to have fun without drugs or alcohol, that there is another way to live. And while it may be OK for us to drink, there are verses about putting a stumbling block in someone’s way, especially 1 Cor. 8:9 and 2 Cor. 6:3, that inform that decision. (This after many years of heavy partying…I do know and understand the other way!) Yes, I have loved ones who are alcoholics and have alcoholics in the family who ruined not only their own lives, but that of their spouses, and inflicted long term damage on their children. My experiences are all too common. Alcoholism costs a tremendous amount of money and lives in our country.
Your illustration of money being similarly abused doesn’t hold because money is necessary to live in our present world. Alcohol isn’t.
Dangerous message to the young people in our society. I wish my son never reads here
This has been a frequent subject as of late. I grew up in a “drinking is a sin” church. However, upon really thinking about and some examination, I have come to pretty much the same conclusion as you.
1. Alcohol is not forbidden, drunkenness is.
2. Some people have a heavy lean towards not out of fear and/or family history.
3. It is a personal conviction.
4. Respecting others MAY necessitate avoiding it at the moment.
I also wanted to add the following thought.
We should remember that overdoing is a sin. It is called gluttony and it is not just related to food. “Over loving” is idolatry.. Here’s an example of doing both. We are to take care of our body as it is “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” However, when we become obsessed with how our body looks we can come spend more time working on it, idolizing it. In doing so, some become exercise gluttons. Just some thoughts that I had when began to ponder this topic.
I think the Church can debate this from now t until we go home but we will always be at odds. What I have found to be more important than can we drink alcohol or not is what does the world think about it? What is our witness? There was a time when this wasn’t even an issue because Christians knew we were to be separate from the world and not look, live, talk or act as they do. I once asked a sinner if they thought drinking alcohol was something they expected Christians to do. Their answer…no. Shouldn’t that settle it for us Church. I’ve had alcohol…more than I care to admit when I was away from Jesus…and I know the effects it has on our behavior. And don’t even try to deny that. I’m not ignorant to what it does. Leviticus 11:44-45 makes an excellent point…we are not able to distinguish between clean and unclean, etc. Yes, that was given to Aaron’s sons as they were being consecrated to the priesthood. But, we have the Holy Spirit living in us all the time so we are constantly before a Holy God. I want to please Yahweh more than satisfy some habit that in the end does not benefit my witness or relationship with Yeshua. Paul said we are to make sure we don’t put our a stumbling block. So, Church…my brothers and sisters…let’s strive for unity not division.
After reading this article, I see the validity and citation from scripture. Alcohol is not the problem, drunkenness is. However if one lets alcohol become a bridge to consistent drunkenness, then God gets replaced. I’ve had some great conversations about God and what He has done for humanity over a nice pint, but also as a Christian, I would not witness to alcoholic while having a beer with them. It all comes down to discernment, letting the Holy Spirit guide you as He is speaking through you. He is not going to lead someone astray, that’s not how He works. Likewise, if we are conflicted about having a beer, maybe we ought not to, and err on the side of caution as to not destroy our witness.
TL:DR; if you feel the Spirit saying don’t drink, listen to Him.
I think you hit on a large truth that we should apply in all aspects of our lives. We should each use discernment, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to figure out what is best. Not just with should we drink a beer, but in all aspects of life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hello, I just watched your video and read your article about drinking or not drinking . I am not legalistic or a fundamentalist . I believe in the freedom that Paul speaks of when he says that all things are “permitted” but not all things are “beneficial” . I also know that God was very serious when he taught His children to be sure not to be a stumbling block for our brothers . And , as a 57 year old Christian woman , saved as a child and walking this long journey as Jesus’ disciple , with my sinful failures and repentance ongoing, there is one thing I am convinced of about drinking : If I chose to drink , whether it be beer or wine or whiskey , I would DEFINITELY cause my brother and sister to stumble . Even in high school , I had friends who would find out that a professing christian had drunk a beer, and they would ALWAYS say, “ I thought so-in-so was a Christian! Well , I’m a Christian too because they’re no different from me!” Two things I draw from those experiences ; One , lost people even understand that drinking is not pleasing to God , how much more should the saved understand this. Two, absolutely NOTHING GOOD comes from drinking and altering one’s mental capacity to make decisions or function properly. The old folks called strong drink “Spirits” because that is what they are , demon spirits in a bottle or can . They cause humans to do evil to their own bodies and others around them . They cause addiction just like drugs cause addiction. They ruin lives and families just like pornography, gambling, addiction to food, addiction to work , etc. Alcohol is very addictive and should be avoided for the health and well-being of a person , especially a child of God .
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Well said!
Great post!
In Proverbs 31:4, it says, ” It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Don’t forget the next two verses:
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Lol of course people will think it’s a great article if it lets them indulge in sin and not feel bad about it ? it’s clearly a lot easier to say “eat drink and be merry” on a blog then to try tell people they need self control. take the high road
I think there’s a little misunderstanding. This article is actually about self-control. Not because drinking is a sin (show me where it’s a sin), rather leaning on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom on what the best approach is for us. Nowhere am I a proponent of excessive drinking or indulging in sin. I’m just trying to help people understand what the Bible actually says and not get bogged down in people’s opinions.
Terrible article. It’s sin! Alcohol carries spirit’s it does more damage in people’s lives than it does good. This is some soft sugar coated let’s please people false narrative of the Gospel.
I think you’ve missed the point of the article.
Remember Jesus writing in the sand when accusers were about to stone a woman? You reminded me of that story. Thank you
We just discussed this at bible study this past Thursday (so I know what your talking about 🙂 ). But the Bible doesn’t say what he’s actually writing in the sand. So how does your comment apply to this article?
I think the thought behind MI Sunshine’s comment is that “all have sinned and fallen short.” What Jesus was actually writing was not relevant to the story. He was providing space for the woman’s sinless accusers to step forth. When he completed his writings and rose no one was there. The point of the account is that those who were accusing the woman of sin realized that they had some hidden sin and left so it wouldn’t be exposed. Incidentally, I am sure many of you all have wondered like me, where was the person she committed the sin with. What she was accused of could not be done alone.
In1 Cor Paul teaches that if I eat meat (drink wine…hard wood) and it causes my brother or sister to follow my example and sin…Im responsible for his/her downfall.
Taking one glass may for many people the start to drink more and more, eventually fall as alcholic. Who can say: wine is Not my boss. What about cigarettes. A little thing many many peOple cannot resist. It Controls that person. It started with one “draw”.
I feel a Christian,filled and led by the Holy Spirit, should refrain from alchohol to be a testimony of STRENGTH and in Control of your life. DANIE RSA
To be honest I was always taught that drinking was never good even in the bible that was my thought. But a friend of mine did say the same thing too where it was ok to drink but not to get drunk. This is a very interesting article
As a former Catholic, and now a Lutheran pastor, I have always found the discussion about alcohol to be interesting. Katie Luther brewed beer. Jesus’ first miracle was with wine at a wedding. There’s a good argument that he was responsible for helping more people to get wasted. It was a wedding after all. Our congregation has a Tapology night each month, where we gather in a local establishment, bring up a topic for discussion, sit, talk, and drink beer. Great conversations happen – very faith filled conversations. And we recognize that there are some who are challenged with alcoholism. Drinking alcohol isn’t a sin. Abusing it is a problem. The idea here is to help people discern between the two and to be responsible. Just because something can be bad, doesn’t mean we should have a black and white view of it. There is plenty of gray in the world. Alcohol is one of those gray areas. Thanks for the topics.
Oh this was always a hot topic at Young Adults. Great read 🙂
Thank you. It cannot be proven by Scripture that it is wrong to drink alcohol. It just can’t! ” Drunkenness is a different story. Why shouldn’t a Christian be drunk? Because he cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit when he is.
A final note of truth: Do you know the difference between an Episcopal and a Baptist? Episcopal’s drink in public.
I hav always been conflicted on this. I drank in college but hardly drink now. Not because of a tragedy or witnessing it destroy lives I just don’t like the feeling it gives me but I know it can be destructive if you abuse it. I am glad you clarified the difference between bible days and these days. Great read
Great points!
Martin Luther even praised his wife for making the very best beer. we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit at all times and consider the role of conscience, ours and our brothers in these matters. I wouldn’t offer a beer to those who I know refrain for reason of faith.
In discussions I remind people that Jesus turned WATER into WINE not the other way around. However, I would say that those who have made a clear stance to not drink at all will face no temptation from this source. Which is wise too.
Seasons of abstinence are also a good idea. I will go for a calendar year or two just to make sure that I am in control in this area.
If we do all that we do for the Glory of God we do well.
Great summary! When you look at what the Bible says, it becomes clear that a flat out prohibition on drinking alcohol is a “fence around the law” kind of rule…and from his interactions with the Pharisees we know how Jesus felt about those. (that said, I personally don’t drink because in my ministry it’s more likely to cause offense than lead to anything edifying, and Christian liberty often includes forgoing what is permissible for the sake of a brother or sister)
Humans seem drawn to that “fence around the law” kind of thinking. In one sense it’s not a bad thing for an individual to do. If someone thinks drinking might be an issue for them they should avoid it to prevent themselves from becoming addicted. The problem comes in when their personal decision becomes a universal law. And we do that all the time.
I love that you said “Christian liberty often includes forgoing what is permissible for the sake of a brother or sister”. That’s such a foreign concept in Western Christianity.
God Bless you Gary!
Great article!
Excellent post. Just as an FYI, the wine was likely at least as strong as today’s wines. God designed the grape with yeast on the skin. The moment you break that skin the juice and yeast start doing their thing. Given most of the Bible is centered around hot desert regions you can imagine how quickly that would firment.
I am encouraged to see more and more actual Bible being taken as it is written and not twisted around. I was saved in 1983 and endured a lot of contradictory teachings throughout my life. It’s only been in the last eight years that I’ve seen a real revival of what the Bible stories and literary works are actually saying.
It drives me crazy when the Bible is twisted into something it was never intended to be. I’ve certainly been guilty of it. We should all work towards a better understanding of what God is communicating through scripture.
Thanks for the info about the grapes, I didn’t know there was yeast on the skin. That’s interesting and makes sense why they ferment.