Wine & Alcohol: Take Off from Alcohol Dinner Party Thread

[JennyG]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

[Joshua]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

And I think we'd all agree that if were going to be party to cause someone to stumble, we would avoid such; however, since we believe that the Bible gives us liberty to engage in what not only God has not forbidden, but what He has also commended, then we believe that there are certainly times it is lawful and appropriate to do so.

Respectfully, your post seems to indicate that you know the hearts, intentions, and motivations of any Christian who would imbibe (i.e. to be "the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol"). I'd like to know how you ascertain such knowledge. It is fine that you abstain. It is not fine that you would press that on to everyone else's conscience. However, if you'd like to make your case, please do so in the Law of God forum and show, from the Law, why you believe it to be sinful. Not in the Iron Chef forum, where members are free to share their ideas without fear of being accused of worldliness, etc. concerning the usage of things indifferent.

[JennyG]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

And I think we'd all agree that if were going to be party to cause someone to stumble, we would avoid such; however, since we believe that the Bible gives us liberty to engage in what not only God has not forbidden, but what He has also commended, then we believe that there are certainly times it is lawful and appropriate to do so.

Respectfully, your post seems to indicate that you know the hearts, intentions, and motivations of any Christian who would imbibe (i.e. to be "the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol"). I'd like to know how you ascertain such knowledge. It is fine that you abstain. It is not fine that you would press that on to everyone else's conscience. However, if you'd like to make your case, please do so in the Law of God forum and show, from the Law, why you believe it to be sinful. Not in the Iron Chef forum, where members are free to share their ideas without fear of being accused of worldliness, etc. concerning the usage of things indifferent.

I'm truly sorry if I sounded bossy or judgemental -- and it never even occurred to me I was on the wrong thread!
Of course, I don't know anyone else's heart, and I do know wine is not forbidden.
The heart knoweth his own bitterness though, and alcohol has caused me personally enough anxiety and grief that I would be happier if every believer were a Nazirite in that respect.

And I still think it would be well for posters always to bear in mind the non-members who are more than likely to be reading also. We are told after all that "all things are lawful for me but all things edify not" and also "to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak".

[rpavich]

And I still think it would be well for posters always to bear in mind the non-members who are more than likely to be reading also. We are told after all that "all things are lawful for me but all things edify not" and also "to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak".

Jenny, while I understand your concern, (and don't think I'm piling on you; I'm not) it's just that we have only one anchor; the word.

We can have our opinion of certain things; I don't like the way smoke smells, I don't like alcohol, etc...but the bottom line is that scripture is authoritative.

I just don't see the correlation between having a glass of wine and "not edifying" other believers, or the connection to "to the weak...." verse you sited.

it's a hot button issue but...what's the final authority?

[Joshua]

... and I do know wine is not forbidden.

Then why would you press others and bind their consciences in the matter? I mean, you may state your case and why you think it would better, but there's certainly no reason to impugn the character of those Christian brethren who would disagree. It's a bit much to ascribe motivation/intention to them (i.e. wanting to be cool like the world). That's not for you to decide or even presume.

The heart knoweth his own bitterness though, and alcohol has caused me personally enough anxiety and grief that I would be happier if every believer were a Nazirite in that respect.

Respectfully, alcohol has not caused you anything. The misuse or abuse of it has influenced things, maybe, but not alcohol itself. For the grief its misuse has caused, though, I'm very sorry.

And I still think it would be well for posters always to bear in mind the non-members who are more than likely to be reading also. We are told after all that "all things are lawful for me but all things edify not" and also "to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak".

We should be mindful of that. What we can't know, however, is that every person reading such is going to be made to stumble, etc. We should all know that it is better for us to abstain than cause a brother to stumble. But we should also know that it is the job of every believer to be informed of the liberty we have in Christ, and not to pass judgment on those who abstain, or on those who do not abstain. There is definitely a time for abstaining, but it is not a universal application to each and every Christian. Rather, it is one that must be answered on a case-by-case basis, pertaining to said Christian at his circumstance and station in life.

Hypocrites Concerning Matters of Liberty

[toddpedlar]

Jenny, if you ever come over to my house for a barbecue, I'll be sure not to serve alcohol, since it clearly disturbs your conscience.

However, please do not try to bind mine, since, as you say, alcohol is not forbidden.

[Scott1]

It doesn't seem Jenny is suggesting this bind anyone's consciousness. That is to say, to suggest that all must abstain from alcohol as a matter of right behavior before God.

We have acknowledged the need to abstain though if it causes someone to stumble, and while I can't presume to speak for her, it seems that is what she is saying.

Scripture does not strictly prohibit the use of alcohol, but it does qualify its use in many ways.

Proverbs 20

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Romans 14

16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Rightly or wrongly, many in the world and even some Christians will judge you based on use of alcohol. (I am not saying they have a right to do that, only that there is a wide perception among Christians that using alcohol as a "refresher" beverage is sinful because the intention is to become inebriated or toward that end ).

In some other countries, missionaries are required to abstain, at least publicly, because the culture so identifies abstinence from alcohol and all that it represents (alcohol dinner parties, etc.) with Christianity.

The idea of "partying with alcohol" is going to be taken as a sinful activity by some, cause some to stumble, particularly brothers and sisters who have struggled with alcoholism or a reveling lifestyle in the past.

[Glenn Ferrell]

If a positive mention of drinking and enjoying beer or wine is going to cause someone to stumble, so will scripture itself:

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,...[Deut. 14:26]

When I was courting my wife, she told me she could marry a man who abstained from alcohol by preference, but not one who abstained because he thought scripture required it. The latter would have indicated a defective hermeneutic in his handling of God’s word.

[BobVigneault]

We should make every effort to not but a stumbling block in the path of a new believer on his way to the Gospel for he is our weaker brother.

We must not confuse our weaker brother with our legalistic brother. Our legalistic brother is running the risk of believing and propagating a false gospel. Our legalistic brother does damage to the doctrines of justificaton and grace and the synthesis of the two.

To the weaker brother I abstain until the day that he finds all things new in Christ. To the legalistic brother, I pray that I can gently correct him while I challenge his error by drinking a beer to his health and a strengthened ability to discern.

[Wannabee]

Jesus made wine. I like wine. I'm curious, did anyone get drunk at that wedding?

[nicnap]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

I think it is the DUTY of Christians to disciple...if someone thinks it is a sin to drink, he needs to be shown plainly from Scripture that it is not wrong to drink, but to be drunk. People need to be reminded that alcohol, sex, music, etc. are not evil...it is the hearts of men that are evil, and they misuse those gifts of God. Just my .

[DanMcCormack]

We should make every effort to not but a stumbling block in the path of a new believer on his way to the Gospel for he is our weaker brother.

We must not confuse our weaker brother with our legalistic brother. Our legalistic brother is running the risk of believing and propagating a false gospel. Our legalistic brother does damage to the doctrines of justificaton and grace and the synthesis of the two.

To the weaker brother I abstain until the day that he finds all things new in Christ. To the legalistic brother, I pray that I can gently correct him while I challenge his error by drinking a beer to his health and a strengthened ability to discern.

Would you agree that legalism is often a crutch of weakness?

[BobVigneault]

I wouldn't characterize the relationship that way and here is why: Legalism, like selfish desire is part of our very nature. We don't have to be taught how to be selfish or autonomous. Legalism and autonomy are not opposites but rather our sense of legalism is simply our attempt to code our own laws that we believe will make us more acceptable to God.

Legalism is what nearly every religion has in common. Because the law is written on our hearts we can find commonality with most religious people in how we should treat others and how we ought to live. When we morph our sense of how we ought to live with how we must approach God or earn eternal life, then we run into problems. The Gospel is unique among all religions and philosophies. God does the work, God, in Christ keeps the law, God accounts the sinner as righteous, God gives us the ability to love him above all others and love our neighbor as ourselves.

So, legalism is really just human nature that is either ignorant of God's provision or unwilling to bend to God's majesty.

We should make every effort to not but a stumbling block in the path of a new believer on his way to the Gospel for he is our weaker brother.

We must not confuse our weaker brother with our legalistic brother. Our legalistic brother is running the risk of believing and propagating a false gospel. Our legalistic brother does damage to the doctrines of justificaton and grace and the synthesis of the two.

To the weaker brother I abstain until the day that he finds all things new in Christ. To the legalistic brother, I pray that I can gently correct him while I challenge his error by drinking a beer to his health and a strengthened ability to discern.

Would you agree that legalism is often a crutch of weakness?

[JennyG]

Thank you Scott1:

It doesn't seem Jenny is suggesting this bind anyone's consciousness. That is to say, to suggest that all must abstain from alcohol as a matter of right behavior before God.

We have acknowledged the need to abstain though if it causes someone to stumble, and while I can't presume, it seems that is what she is saying.

That is what I meant, though I think my first post in the heat of the moment was too emphatic. But by "disappointed" I didn't mean the schoolmasterly, rhetorical "I am disappointed in you!!!!!"
Rather I was simply describing the emotion I experienced when I came across this thread, as a newcomer to the site. I still am surprised (not pleasantly) by the great and almost unanimous enthusiasm for alcohol.

However I've already said everything I have to say -- maybe someone else will act as devil's advocate (!?)
Another time I would rather not find myself starting a new thread without volunteering, and I DO feel as though there's been a certain amount of piling on!

[BobVigneault]

Jenny, please don't feel piled on. This topic has come up many times and it is so wonderful to have someone bring it up from time to time so we can clear up the perceptions.

You had the nerve to post the question and disappointment but you probably represent hundreds of folks you share the same questions and discomfort over 'sipping saints'. Your question could have been answered in private messages but this is a discussion that benefits lots of folk.

I love the way Josh treats this subject. His Biblical handling of this provocative topic is awe inspiring to me. I'm glad for folks to question a Christian's liberty to drink just to read Josh's gracious molding of a reply.

Please don't feel piled on, you are far from alone and this is an important discussion that MUST be revisited over and over. It helps us all in our walk.

[DanMcCormack]

Thank you Scott1:

It doesn't seem Jenny is suggesting this bind anyone's consciousness. That is to say, to suggest that all must abstain from alcohol as a matter of right behavior before God.

We have acknowledged the need to abstain though if it causes someone to stumble, and while I can't presume, it seems that is what she is saying.

That is what I meant, though I think my first post in the heat of the moment was too emphatic. But by "disappointed" I didn't mean the schoolmasterly, rhetorical "I am disappointed in you!!!!!"
Rather I was simply describing the emotion I experienced when I came across this thread, as a newcomer to the site. I still am surprised (not pleasantly) by the great and almost unanimous enthusiasm for alcohol.

However I've already said everything I have to say -- maybe someone else will act as devil's advocate (!?)
Another time I would rather not find myself starting a new thread without volunteering, and I DO feel as though there's been a certain amount of piling on!

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

[Sven]

Jenny, I would encourage you (and anyone else for that matter) to read this article of mine: Beholding the Beauty: Positive Dogmatics: The Christian and Alcohol

[Scott1]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

I understand what you're saying and agree with much of it but might qualify it a bit further...

I think it is the DUTY of Christians to disciple...if someone thinks it is a sin to drink, he needs to be shown plainly from Scripture that it is not wrong to drink, but to be drunk.
It would also be a sin to knowingly cause someone to stumble by its use, e.g. a recovering alcoholic.

It would also be a sin to drink with the intention of getting drunk, or slightly drunk, or a "buzz" or whatever. "Drowning their sorrows" in alcohol, etc.

It would also be a sin if someone were under promise or law not to drink, e.g. a minor, a missionary under an honor code, a doctor within 24 hours of surgery.

People need to be reminded that alcohol, sex, music, etc. are not evil...it is the hearts of men that are evil, and they misuse those gifts of God. Just my .

And that is correct, alcohol is not inherently evil any more than sex, the internet and all sorts of good things God has given us, but there are biblical qualifications on their use.

One of the great difficulties we have with alcohol is that while there is no strict prohibition of it in Scripture, there are many qualifications on its use.

And while history and culture are not determinative as a standard of God's righteousness, few things have been more visibly destructive because of their misuse than alcohol. That's why during the last great revival so many towns were "cleaned up" from the alcohol and related fighting and vice that literally overcame them. One can still see this in some inner city areas, on and near Indian reservations, in some border communities with Mexico where alcohol misuse is having an enormously bad effect... and in the lives of those who have and are struggling with this widespread problem right now.

[CNJ]

Hey, Jenny in Scotland! If you get beat up here, go to the Tea Parlor for ladies only.

I wrote on my blog here about the problems of having neighbors over with a BYOB where people bring their own alcohol to our house. I also teach a class for people arrested for driving after they have been drinking. See DUI Songs

Some years I don't have any wine. This year I had a glass of wine to celebrate cutting up a lot of rhubard to freeze--it was a lot of work. Then recently my husband and I went to a winery with some Reformed friends and sampled little amounts of their wine. We then bought the cheapest one. I hate beer--never developed a taste for it.

Recently my husband's son gave me a rare copy of God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About Alcohol by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. It can be ordered from NiceneCouncil.com and traces three views that Christians have had about alcohol. Jerry doesn't have many copies, so hurry if you want to get one.

[BobVigneault]

And there we have a fundamental difference, I want us all to discuss this freely and openly and Dan accuses me of heavy handed proselytizing and I should 'shut up'.

Dan, 'quiet respect and forebearance' does not have to mean 'shut up'. Back up and give this one another go, I'll be patient this time.

Thank you Scott1:

It doesn't seem Jenny is suggesting this bind anyone's consciousness. That is to say, to suggest that all must abstain from alcohol as a matter of right behavior before God.

We have acknowledged the need to abstain though if it causes someone to stumble, and while I can't presume, it seems that is what she is saying.

That is what I meant, though I think my first post in the heat of the moment was too emphatic. But by "disappointed" I didn't mean the schoolmasterly, rhetorical "I am disappointed in you!!!!!"
Rather I was simply describing the emotion I experienced when I came across this thread, as a newcomer to the site. I still am surprised (not pleasantly) by the great and almost unanimous enthusiasm for alcohol.

However I've already said everything I have to say -- maybe someone else will act as devil's advocate (!?)
Another time I would rather not find myself starting a new thread without volunteering, and I DO feel as though there's been a certain amount of piling on!

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

[DanMcCormack]

And there we have a fundamental difference, I want us all to discuss this freely and openly and Dan accuses me of heavy handed proselytizing and I should 'shut up'.

Dan, 'quiet respect and forebearance' does not have to mean 'shut up'. Back up and give this one another go, I'll be patient this time.

I wasn't adressing your post directly -- nevertheless, please accept my apologies.

The phrase, "shut up already", was meant as an attention-getting dash of cold water.

Christians have a wide variety of views on this topic, and perhaps the most gracious approach is to guard certain opinions more closely, in my humble opinion, and not trot them out as proof of "strength" vis "weakness."

[AThornquist]

And what if Scripture calls our brethren with extra-sensitive consciences to certain things "weaker brothers?" Is it wrong to say exactly what Scripture says on the topic?

[BobVigneault]

But Dan, this IS a discussion board where we gather to discussion these very kinds of issues. We need to improve our thinking through challenging and logical interaction and we need to improve our ability to defend what we believe. I agree that we ought do this graciously but not everyone has learned that art yet and need to be exposed to vigorous and even aggressive defense.

Christian may have a wide variety of views on this topic but we here are concerned with what the biblical view is. It's not a difficult question when we get past our own sentiments and bias. Good and godly folks disagree on this issue but we must be able to defend our application from the scriptures.

Christians have a wide variety of views on this topic, and perhaps the most gracious approach is to guard certain opinions more closely, in my humble opinion, and not trot them out as proof of "strength" vis "weakness."

[Montanablue]

Thank you Scott1:

It doesn't seem Jenny is suggesting this bind anyone's consciousness. That is to say, to suggest that all must abstain from alcohol as a matter of right behavior before God.

We have acknowledged the need to abstain though if it causes someone to stumble, and while I can't presume, it seems that is what she is saying.

That is what I meant, though I think my first post in the heat of the moment was too emphatic. But by "disappointed" I didn't mean the schoolmasterly, rhetorical "I am disappointed in you!!!!!"
Rather I was simply describing the emotion I experienced when I came across this thread, as a newcomer to the site. I still am surprised (not pleasantly) by the great and almost unanimous enthusiasm for alcohol.

However I've already said everything I have to say -- maybe someone else will act as devil's advocate (!?)
Another time I would rather not find myself starting a new thread without volunteering, and I DO feel as though there's been a certain amount of piling on!

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

Oops. I didnt' meant to thank your post. I was trying to scroll down and hit my thanks button Apologies.

[wallingj]

Thank you Scott1:

That is what I meant, though I think my first post in the heat of the moment was too emphatic. But by "disappointed" I didn't mean the schoolmasterly, rhetorical "I am disappointed in you!!!!!"
Rather I was simply describing the emotion I experienced when I came across this thread, as a newcomer to the site. I still am surprised (not pleasantly) by the great and almost unanimous enthusiasm for alcohol.

However I've already said everything I have to say -- maybe someone else will act as devil's advocate (!?)
Another time I would rather not find myself starting a new thread without volunteering, and I DO feel as though there's been a certain amount of piling on!

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

Oops. I didnt' meant to thank your post. I was trying to scroll down and hit my thanks button Apologies.

Now your in trouble!

[Montanablue]

Yep, I'm kicked out for sure now.

[DanMcCormack]

But Dan, this IS a discussion board where we gather to discussion these very kinds of issues. We need to improve our thinking through challenging and logical interaction and we need to improve our ability to defend what we believe. I agree that we ought do this graciously but not everyone has learned that art yet and need to be exposed to vigorous and even aggressive defense.

Christian may have a wide variety of views on this topic but we here are concerned with what the biblical view is. It's not a difficult question when we get past our own sentiments and bias. Good and godly folks disagree on this issue but we must be able to defend our application from the scriptures.

I couldn't agree more.

But (I know, another qualifier) far too often alcohol is used as the test case for "strength."

"Well, I can drink, those people against it are just weak..."

My thoughts can be summarized thusly: Be careful with that reasoning -- it's deadly.

[Brian Withnell]

I was pretty disappointed to find this thread here of all places. Sorry guys, but it really comes over like an anxiety to be just the same as the rest of the world, very cool with alcohol. But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

I would say we do not have liberty to totally abstain, as the cup we drink at the Lord's Supper is to be wine. The church does not have the authority to change to grape juice.

[Glenn Ferrell]

It is good to gently point out, we should not call something sin which God in his word has not called sin.

WCF XX:2- God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in anything, contrary to his Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or worship. So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience: and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.

[BobVigneault]

My dad was a drunk. He was usually a nice drunk but now and then he got abusive.

I remember once we went to a drive in restaurant. He drove but was so drunk that when we got there he ordered 'four humbuggers and a fried frenchmen'. We laughed ourselves silly.

One night he got drunk at my uncle's house and had my sisters with him. My sisters were 14 and 11. After 5 miles of a 60 mile trip he realized he was too drunk to drive. He had my 14 year old sister drive the rest of the way. My mom wasn't very happy when they pulled in but the marriage had been severely weakened by drunkeness and adultery and didn't last much longer.

Before my dad left he took a sledge hammer and destroyed everything we owned. Tables, chairs, tv, stereo, lamps. We ate on a picnic table in the dining room for over a year. My mom went on food stamps and took an awful job in a tool crib at a factory. My sisters got into so much trouble, one ended up a cocaine addict who tried to sell her baby.

This is all to say that I have no doubt of the destructive power of alcohol abuse. It destroys families and lives but it's the abuse that we must argue against. Alcohol abuse is a direct violation of the 6th commandment but it's not the drinking of alcohol that is a sin. Our Lord drank alcohol. We can argue about the percent of alcohol by volume but we dare not call it sin.

Alcohol, drug, food, people and animal abuse are all sins and we should all share an equal revulsion and a responsibility to teach against abuse.

In all honesty, alcohol abuse brought about some of my most painful memories but fellowshipping over a mug of beer or a glass of wine has resulted in some of my most treasured memories, the PB meet-up of two weeks ago not excluded - THAT was a foretaste of Heaven.

[Montanablue]

Jenny - I do hope you don't feel "piled on" by the arguments presented here. I know they may seem personal, but they're really not. I will admit that I myself saw your post and had a knee jerk reaction of "legalism!" but after reading through the thread again, I can see where you are coming from, though I do disagree. If you do need a break, please join us in the Tea Parlour. We would love to see you there.

[Joshua]

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

Well I hope, Sir, you're not imputing such assassinations to the character of those involved with this thread. Paul uses the terms strong and weak for a purpose, and it has nothing to do with intrinsic value, I believe, but maturation and understanding. That is no slight, or it shouldn't be, to anyone. As for respect and forbearance, I certainly couldn't agree more. Part of that respect in forbearance includes not letting their usage of things indifferent be called sin. It also includes gently, winsomely, and respectfully teaching that we may not call sin what God has not called sin, since we may not be holier than God, the All Holy, is.

[Joshua]

JennyG,

Please do not feel piled on. I assure you, Ma'am, such was not my intent. My whole purpose in beginning this thread was to avoid the derailment of the other thread, which had a different scope, thrust, and intention altogether. I would not for a moment judge you in your abstaining. If it has came across as such, I sincerely offer my most humble of apologies. At the same token, I hope that you will not tell me what's better (to abstain) for me to do, if God Himself has not done so. That is not an objective fact. The particular believer struggling with such must take into account multiple circumstances that bear upon their station in life, as to whether they should or should not abstain, and even then if it will be permanent or temporary.

Every blessing!

[Joshua]

I love the way Josh treats this subject. His Biblical handling of this provocative topic is awe inspiring to me. I'm glad for folks to question a Christian's liberty to drink just to read Josh's gracious molding of a reply.

You poor, misguided, and malnourished creature. I'm flattered, but cannot accept this compliment.

[BobVigneault]

I am NOT malnourished!

[JennyG]

JennyG,

Please do notg feel piled on. I assure you, Ma'am, such was not my intent. My whole purpose in beginning this thread was to avoid the derailment of the other thread, which had a different scope, thrust, and intention altogether. I would not for a moment judge you in your abstaining. If it has came across as such, I sincerely offer my most humble of apologies. At the same token, I hope that you will not tell me what's better (to abstain) for me to do, if God Himself has not done so. That is not an objective fact. The particular believer struggling with such must take into account multiple circumstances that bear upon their station in life, as to whether they should or should not abstain, and even then if it will be permanent or temporary.

Every blessing!

Thank you Josh. I apologise too for any tactlessness. Anything God says is right, IS right, of course, only your last sentence sums up the other side of the coin which must be just as important. being new I didn't really understand this was already much gone over by the natives!
I'm not even a total abstainer by the way, but around a young person
who might be influenced, I wouldn't consider touching it. Where I live, in Scotland the alcohol capital of the world, if a guy such as yourself was observed by the kids to be a non-drinker, it could do an incalculable amount of good.

[Richard Tallach]

Jesus made wine. I like wine. I'm curious, did anyone get drunk at that wedding?

Dear Joe,
I enjoy a beer or two from time to time, but we shouldn't make light of drunkenness. We are not told that anybody got drunk at Cana, and therefore to associate our Lord in this way, with drunkenness - which is sinful - even only in speculation into things not revealed about whether the wine He made was used properly or abused, I think is going too far.

Richard.

[BobVigneault]

When speaking to young people I compare alcohol to a power saw. You must never stop respecting the amount of damage that a power saw can do. I worked in a saw mill and our injuries came about when we got 'comfortable' with the saws, we assumed we wouldn't get hurt because they were so familiar to us. Paul puts it this way in 1 Cor. 10:12 "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

Comfort and familiarity does not remove the potential danger of a power tool. We should educate and give the appropriate cautions with power tools and alcohol.

And by the way, NEVER operate power tools when drinking alcohol.

[TimV]

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians

.

Jenny could have substituted sex for alcohol and there would have been no difference in the quality of the opening post.

But with the state of society today, I think believers do better to be total abstainers than risk causing any other person to stumble.

[he beholds]

Jenny,

This is one of these issues where the "strong" need to shut up already.

Too often pro-alcohol consumers are very emphatic that "they" are strong and have to educate all those poor weak brothers and sisters.

When in fact a better approach would be quiet respect and forebearance for what has been and continues to be an area of great struggle for many Christians.

Dan

Not when approached by the "weak" who asked him to defend his behavior (that of posting about alcohol here).