- Jun 30, 2015
- 1,470
- 1,509
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Single
I'm sure there are a dozen better forums to post this in, but I don't want a deep theological debate and someone with a theology degree judging me and pointing out how well I don't know the Bible...
I view this forum more as a singles Bible study so I thought I'd share an observation.
I was visiting with my parents at their home. My brother came over with his new fiance and my sister was up visiting, so the whole family was together, which is rare.
My sister and I are the only ones who attend church. My parents say grace occasionally, but haven't gone to church in 30 years. My brother sporadically attended, but he and his fiance refuse to go to church anymore.
It's a touchy subject, faith is. So my sister and I try to gingerly bring it up around the family to encourage discussion.
Last night, my sister and I were talking about the churches we now attend and my dad mentioned that the last church my parent's attended had it written in their statement that ANY alcohol consumption was a sin since Jesus only drank unfermented grape juice. It actually said that.
Then my brother started sharing about one of his friends Christian parents who are absolutely militant about alcohol and being so ridiculous that the mother refused to even touch a bottle of wine while helping clean up after a wedding reception.
My brother, his fiance, and my dad all used the examples of Christians being so ridiculously uptight and embattled over the subject of alcohol as proof that churches are filled with ridiculous people that can't even read the Bible and see that Jesus and his disciples drank fermented wine. They all drink, as do my sister and I.
I have rarely seen my dad ever drink to the point of drunkenness, maybe twice in the 30 years I've observed him drinking. He's got a better track record than I do. Never seen mom intoxicated. My brother is a Detective, so he tries to practice moderation as well.
My point is that none of them are in violation of Biblical standards in relation to alcohol, yet they perceive they are being judged due to a large, vocal number of teetotaling Christians who not only harshly judge others who drink, but actually include it in their church doctrinal statement.
Just my random Bible study subject of the day...
BTW, my Bible study had a celebratory meeting last week and we had both sparkling cider and actual champagne. It was about half and half for those who had champagne and those who didn't.
I view this forum more as a singles Bible study so I thought I'd share an observation.
I was visiting with my parents at their home. My brother came over with his new fiance and my sister was up visiting, so the whole family was together, which is rare.
My sister and I are the only ones who attend church. My parents say grace occasionally, but haven't gone to church in 30 years. My brother sporadically attended, but he and his fiance refuse to go to church anymore.
It's a touchy subject, faith is. So my sister and I try to gingerly bring it up around the family to encourage discussion.
Last night, my sister and I were talking about the churches we now attend and my dad mentioned that the last church my parent's attended had it written in their statement that ANY alcohol consumption was a sin since Jesus only drank unfermented grape juice. It actually said that.
Then my brother started sharing about one of his friends Christian parents who are absolutely militant about alcohol and being so ridiculous that the mother refused to even touch a bottle of wine while helping clean up after a wedding reception.
My brother, his fiance, and my dad all used the examples of Christians being so ridiculously uptight and embattled over the subject of alcohol as proof that churches are filled with ridiculous people that can't even read the Bible and see that Jesus and his disciples drank fermented wine. They all drink, as do my sister and I.
I have rarely seen my dad ever drink to the point of drunkenness, maybe twice in the 30 years I've observed him drinking. He's got a better track record than I do. Never seen mom intoxicated. My brother is a Detective, so he tries to practice moderation as well.
My point is that none of them are in violation of Biblical standards in relation to alcohol, yet they perceive they are being judged due to a large, vocal number of teetotaling Christians who not only harshly judge others who drink, but actually include it in their church doctrinal statement.
Just my random Bible study subject of the day...
BTW, my Bible study had a celebratory meeting last week and we had both sparkling cider and actual champagne. It was about half and half for those who had champagne and those who didn't.