What is OK for a Christian to eat and drink? Is alcohol, for instance evil in every case of consumption, or is it permissible on certain occasions? Did Jesus make fermented wine at the wedding feast, or was it just grape juice? What did Paul mean when he told Timothy to “take a little wine for thy stomach’s sake?”
The issue of drinking and the Christian is a hot topic of debate (at least in some circles). There is no question that alcohol can be abused and what rusults come about because of that abuse. But the question remains, is alcohol inherently evil? Is dirt evil? Is getting dirty a sin? It is if your mother told you not to play in the dirt while wearing your good Sunday clothes. But what if it is a work day and you have to do some yard work? Is getting dirty a sin at that point?
Is the consumption of alcohol always a sin, or are there cultural, religious or dietary exceptions? Most importantly, what does the Bible say?
What about food? The Seventh Day Adventist’s should have a lot of comments on this subject. Is meat neccessary in a society like ours? Is there anything better than a good steak? What does the Bible have to say about it?
Don’t automatically assume what I believe. Don’t assume, either, that by writing this I think every Christian should just gather the kids and neighbors, head down to the lake, pop open a six-pack of Bud, and grill pork chops and steaks. Really, it doesn’t matter what I think, but what God says. If our actions are guided only by the thoughts of others, then we are not living a life of grace, but of legalism. Prudence, wisdom, and spiritual maturity should factor into our actions, not the thought of “who will see me?” Of course a lot more could be said, but what are your thoughts?
Is the topic of what Christians can or can’t drink a worthy question to spend our time discussing? Wouldn’t we do better to discuss how to do what Christians are called to do, which is love (agape) people? For example: Since Christians are commanded not to refuse anyone who asks us for something, is it ok to say “no” to the homeless because we are afraid/know we will be taken advantage of? Is it ok to have gay friends? Should one’s Christian ministry come first, or one’s family?
There’s my two cents.
I like the look & feel of your blog!
Thank you for your comment. Yes, it is worth our time, but only if it is an issue that causes division. There are those in the body of Christ who do not believe the same as others with regards to food and drink. The Gospel is not about food and drink. But the Bible does address these things, and for that reason, and for the sake of the Gospel, we should discuss what is legalistic, and what is not.
Thanks for your two cents…I needed the change
I agree. I think this is an important subject for exactly the reason that you say. It does cause division. though perhaps if we had a more healthy attitude in regards to how we are supposed to go about living together as Christians and encourage each other towards spiritual maturity it would not be such an issue, since people would encourage each other to pray and grow because of their love for God rather then condemning practices in ways that put the focus in the wrong places. To answer the big question of your post, I think that any attempt to turn all of the wine in the New Testament into grape juice would be contrived. I believe Jesus drank wine. I think people who condemn drinking in all circumstances need to be very careful. That said, I’ve never tasted alcohol. I don’t care for the smell, it generally appears to be a waste of money, I don’t want my inhibitions lowered, and I have Christian friends and family that would look down on it, and the experience of trying something new would in no way be worth anything hurting those relationships.
I agree. I think this is an important subject for exactly the reason that you say. It does cause division. though perhaps if we had a more healthy attitude in regards to how we are supposed to go about living together as Christians and encourage each other towards spiritual maturity it would not be such an issue, since people would encourage each other to pray and grow because of their love for God rather then condemning practices in ways that put the focus in the wrong places. To answer the big question of your post, I think that any attempt to turn all of the wine in the New Testament into grape juice would be contrived. I believe Jesus drank wine. I think people who condemn drinking in all circumstances need to be very careful. That said, I’ve never tasted alcohol. I don’t care for the smell, it generally appears to be a waste of money, I don’t want my inhibitions lowered, and I have Christian friends and family that would look down on it, and the experience of trying something new would in no way be worth anything hurting those relationships.
+1
Thanks, Larry. I’m sorry your comment didn’t get posted earlier, but it originally went to the “spam” file. Sometimes WordPress does that based on the type of website or user name, or something. Anyway, when I go through the spam I am careful to look for real comments, not just stuff trying to promote Viagra or web design. I hope you understand
But again, thank you for your comment. I do agree that alcohol is dangerous and should probably be off limits to most people. But on the other hand, as I think you would agree, what I feel should not give me an excuse to make Scripture say something it doesn’t.
And by the way, have a great Thanksgiving!
That’s no good that his comment went to spam.
I wonder if it would definitely go there if you mention Viagra in a comment. As in, like, Viagra, Viagra, Viagra?
So now if this doesn’t appear, I’ll be wondering if it’s because it’s a stupid troll-like comment that has been (deservedly) deleted, or because it got caught up in the spam filter.
Although if I really wanted this to go to spam, I really should post a few Viagra-type links. Well, maybe that’s going a bit too far.
Sorry, you weren’t spam material, evidently
Re. alcohol and the Bible: I’ve heard the theory about them drinking non-fermented “wine” before. But wouldn’t that just be mentioned as “fruit juice”? Or didn’t they have that term back then?
That would seem to go to the heart of the matter on that topic/sub-topic. Did the Biblical Greek language have a separate word or phrase for “fruit juice”, as opposed to wine? Do any Biblical Greek documents, from their context, ever refer to “non-fermented wine”?
Just wondering.
γλεῦκος (gleukos) is the closest I can find in the Greek. That being said, the only example of it being used is in the 2nd chapter of Acts when Peter and the other disciples were being accused of drunkenness.
Overall, most all wine/juice of that period, according to historians, had some alcohol content. Keep in mind that unless the juice was freshly pressed, keeping it alcohol-free would be a problem. There was no refrigeration, and pasteurization had not yet been invented.
שֵׁכָר (shekar) is a Hebrew word that specifically refers to intoxicating drink, as opposed to your garden-variety wine. But as for the Greek language, I can’t find any words that were used to specifically point out or label one wine “alcohol-free” and another “__ proof.”
Usually, it is the context of the passage that makes the difference. I hope this helps.
Thanks very much for that.
It’s a question that has popped into my head from time to time – and you’re the first person to give me a good answer on it.
Thank you for spending the time on answering my query.
Much appreciated.
Hi Baker,
I got tired trying to search your site for your thoughts on weak conscience Christians referred to in Romans 14 and 1Cor. 8 since I was unable to find a search window on you site. So, I decided to reply in this section to ask you a question.
Do you consider the weak conscience Christians Paul referred to in Romans 14 and 1Cor. 8 to be legalists practicing legalism? Over the years of my Christian life when I have heard fellow Christians call another Christian a legalist, it seem almost like 80 to 90 percent of the time they are a calling a weak conscience Christian a legalist. Would be nice if you would post a post on the topic of weak conscience Christians with respect to your definition of a legalist and legalism, along with a detailed definition of your definition of a legalist and legalism.
Thanks,
David Geminden
David,
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for asking questions! I wish more people would challenge me, now and then. I don’t claim to know everything, except when I’m arguing with first graders
I don’t know why you couldn’t find it, but I did write a post that covered a couple of definitions, including my own thoughts. Here is a link to that post http://therecoveringlegalist.com/2011/01/15/why-be-a-legalist/.
Hope you stop by again. Let others know, too. Thanks!