Alcohol Consumption

stfrancisofassisi76 · Tadpole Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 21

Is the consumption of alcohol seen by Christians as being wrong overall?

Remember when Christ turned the water to wine. It was said that most bring out the best wine later in dining because the guests had already had their share of the cheaper wine. However, the water that was turned to wine was perceived as high quality and questioned because it was brought out first. This would imply that it was tradition to drink wine with a "punch" to it. Obviously, Jesus was aware of traditon.

I have always assumed that an alcoholic beverage was ok as long as it was in moderation. The Bible mentions things such as gluttony and drunkeness as being sinful. I think that abuse of anything could be considered sinful if harmful to the temple(the body) of God.

What is everyone's thoughts on this? Catholics need not reply...LOL. Very Happy

Yehushuan · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject:

The prohibition or "dry" movement began in the 1840s, spearheaded by pietistic religious denominations, especially the Methodists. After some success in the 1850s the movement lost strength. It revived in the 1880s, with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Prohibition Party. (WikiLINK)

Current fundamentalist thinking tends to run along these lines, “If you never drink, you can’t become an alcoholic,” and goes to great lengths to try and convince one that the “wine” in the New Testament is just grape juice.

The Y’shuan Fellowships, however, provide three options for communion. Wine, grape juice, and V8. Caution is strongly advised when offering any alcoholic beverage to others, but personal consumption is not considered prohibited by the Bible.

Yehu
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There must be a God; Natural Selection would have gotten rid of you a long time ago.

FFT · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:40 am Post subject:

Oh man.

Seriously, guys. I'm thinking of converting to Yehushuan's group. First he makes a sermon with Tubular Bells as backing music, and then he reveals that members can take V8 for communion?

If it weren't for the whole "God" thing I'd be sold.
_________________
When Science was in its crib, Religion tried to strangle it. When Science was in its infancy, Religion tried to abuse it. Now that Science is grown up, Religion wants to be in its good graces.

Theology is philosophy/ethics for people who already know what conclusion they want to come to.

ChristineS · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:41 am Post subject:

Alcohol, like anything else is a judgement call. Some people can drink a glass of wine with no ill effects but others can't drink without leading to drinking too much and getting drunk. I know all about alcoholism, I am not an alcoholic but many members of my family are: including my brother, mother, step father, my aunt, my grandmother and more. I don't touch it, because I choose not to.
I don't think drinking one or two glasses of wine is a sin, but getting drunk, just may be one.
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Then everyone who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in Heaven. (Mat 10:32)
But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in Heaven. (Mat 10:33)

Yehushuan · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:14 am Post subject:

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Dear St.Fran

It is my opinion that drinking alcohol is not a sin, even getting drunk on a continual basis is not a sin, but forgetting who you are in Christ could very well be deadly because you can forget who you are in Christ.

II Peter 1:6-10, "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

9) FOR IF THESE THINGS BE IN YOU, AND ABOUND, THEY MAKE YOU THAT YE SHALL NEITHER BE BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

In Christ, Judy

Helper · Growing Guppy Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 44

Greetings

Concerning the question of drinking alcohol beverages.

I believe God has given everyone freedom, and choice. We are free to choose to eat, drink, and be merry.

When will any of these things cause us to sin (displease our Father)?

When we act on any of these to excess, or allow it to damage or interfere with our relationship with God or one another.

Just another view on temperance.

Love in Christ
Ron

Yadah · Not So Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 8

Great question!

Ask these questions to yourself:

1. "Does my drinking alcohol bring glory to God?"

2. If my drinking alcohol offends or causes another believer to fall, will I be ready to give it up?

Don't get me wrong: the Bible clearly teaches being DRUNK in wine is a SIN. This is in answer to the question: "Can I drink alcohol as long as I don't get drunk?"

I personally am against social drinking of alcohol as the Bible doesn't give a stamp of approval to drinking alcohol for social purpose.

However, the Bible does speak of USING alcohol for purposes like medicine, digestion etc. Sometimes after a heavy diner, I take a bit of wine to help me digest the food. But I take great care I don't drink this in front of a weak believer who may think I'm promoting alcoholism or who may believe drinking alcohol even in small amounts is a sin- simple because I want to build in love. Smile

All cough syrups have a certain amount of alcohol in it. This is an example where alcohol can be USED. Remember, anything can be USED and MISUSED.

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FFT · Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:18 am Post subject: