I enjoy a lively discussion as long as there is respect on both sides, so please forgive me if this post offends anyone, especially those who call drinking a little wine sin. I especially love to bust what I call silly rules made up by mere men, which have absolutely nothing to do with genuine biblical Christianity. Mandatory teetotaling is to me, one such rule.
We are probably all familiar with the passages of the Bible that forbid drunkenness. They are often quoted by those who abstain from alcohol completely. But, did you realize there are actually passages of the Bible that praise the right, moderate use of wine? I'm sure some passages would be shocking to those who have never read their Bibles. Here are just a few examples: -
Genesis 27:28 May God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine.
Matthew 9:17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.
Luke 7:33-34 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
John 2:3-9 Jesus turned water to wine
We are probably all familiar with the passages of the Bible that forbid drunkenness. They are often quoted by those who abstain from alcohol completely. But, did you realize there are actually passages of the Bible that praise the right, moderate use of wine? I'm sure some passages would be shocking to those who have never read their Bibles. Here are just a few examples: -
Genesis 14:18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
Genesis 27:28 May God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine.
Exodus 29:40 and with the first lamb one-tenth of a measure of choice flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of beaten oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering.
Numbers 15:7 and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a hin of wine, a pleasing odor to the LORD.
Deuteronomy 11:14 then he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil;
Deuteronomy 14:23 In the presence of the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Deuteronomy 14:26 spend the money for whatever you wish-- oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your household rejoicing together.
Deuteronomy 33:28 So Israel lives in safety, untroubled is Jacob's abode in a land of grain and wine, where the heavens drop down dew.
Psalm 104:14-15 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.
Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
Ecclesiastes 10:19 Feasts are made for laughter; wine gladdens life, and money meets every need.
Isaiah 36:17 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
Amos 9:13 The time is surely coming, says the LORD, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.
Matthew 9:17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.
Luke 7:33-34 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
John 2:3-9 Jesus turned water to wine
I Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
I think that is a good verse to end on -- a "little" being the operative word.
Comments? Discussion? Who dares call moderation a sin?