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Skala is wrong; alcoholic drinks are not a gift from God. Water is a gift, the grapes are a gift, when made into a beverage it is a gift. But when man manufactures alcohol and adds it to drinks, or in the case of liquor it is almost totally alcohol, that is an insult to God to call such a substance made by man a gift of God. Arsenic, even though is is used to poison pesty rats, is also not a gift of God.
If arsenic can be used to poison rats, why isn't it a gift?
Oinos, which is most assuredly alcoholic wine, aged wine (grape juice). The word for "too much wine" is oinosflugia.why do some people think that at the wedding in Cana, that Jesus turned the water into non alcoholic wine?
I do not know the greek word that was used
Off-topic, but briefly, they weren't. The original language was Koine Greek.also, I heard one theory that some of the gospels were first written in aremaic and then translated into greek very quickly, does anyone know if that would make a differance?
Faithabides
I have read all of the replies as to use of Alcohol, and the scriptures Great. As a Pastor I wonder what my Congregation, would say if they saw me coming out of Bar? or smell alcohol on my breath on sunday morning. I don't think I would be the Pastor very long. I hear opinions pros and cons. I would like to share with you. I preach at a Rescue mission, I see people that are alcoholics, drug addicts and excons, priest , people who were at one time up standing citizens and they fell you say you won't fall, these same people have told me the same thing I was a social drinker or user.
You will probably say I drink but I don't get Drunk. I have heard that before! as a Christian, so that another Brother don't fall is true. I want to say this what about your Testimony. If your going to tell me this doesn't matter, and your the example and you are what example are you telling others? Don't Think about the drinking but what you are telling others. When John the Baptist Parents were told about Johns Diet, his parents were warned about alcohol, he was counted righteous. I know some won't agree, but consider the warnings in the Bible.
Scripture teaches that it's okay to drink, but not to get drunk. Anyone who says otherwise is twisting Scripture to justify their own biases. That said, if it bothers your conscience (as it does mine, me being a recovering alcoholic), don't do it. If it bothers your brother's or your sister's conscience, don't do it in their presence.
Also, we read from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament:
"oinoV" Wine is very significant in Palestine. According to Gen. 9:20 Noah, the forefather of the new race, is also the first to cultivate the vine. In the OT there are many sayings in praise of wine. In Ju. 9:13 it is the drink which makes glad both men and gods, cf. Ps. 104:15. Fulness of wine is a special blessing from God, Gn. 27:28, 37; Jl. 2:23 f. Abstinance from wine (cf. the position of the Rechabites in Jer. 35, or Hos. 2:1014; 3:1, where wine is linked to Baal worship) is rare.
On the other hand, there are many warnings against overindulgance, cf. Is. 5:11; Prv. 20:1; 21:17; Sir. 19:1 ff.AS in the ancient world generally, wine has a cultic significance in the OT too, and there are many precise regulations for offering the sacrifice of wine (Ex. 29:38-41; Nu. 15:2-15).
In the New Testament, "oinoV" is mainly used in the literal sense of "wine," and never in a cultic relation. A charactistic of the Baptist (John) is that he abstains from wine, Lk. 1:15; cf. 7:33 (mt. 11:18). As those dedicated to God in the OT refrained from wine or intoxicating drinks (Nu. 6:3; cf. Ju. 13:4, 7), so John, fully consecrated to God, must be controlled solely by the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
In distinction from the Baptist, Jesus drank wine, as may be seen from Mt. 11:19; Lk. 7:37 (Jesus as "oinopothV"). According to Mk. 2:18-22 and par. Jesus justified His conduct on the ground that the time when the bridegroom is present is one of festivity. Jesus is more than a Nazarite; hence the corresponding OT regulations do not apply to Him. He explains this in the parable of the new wine and the old skins, Mk. 2:22 and par. The new which he brings cannot be mixed withthe old. Lk. 5:39 added the difficult saying: "[kai] oudeiV piwn palaion qelei neon: legei gar, o palaioV crhstoV estin."
In the accounts of the Last Supper, the term "oinoV" occurs neither in the Synopticts nor Paul. It is obvious, however, that according to custom Jesus was proffering wine in the cup over which He pronounced the blessing; this may be seen especially from the solemn "genhmatoV thV ampelou" (Mk. 14:25 and par.) which was borrowed from JudaismIn this final saying before the passioin Jesus looks forward triumpantly to the consumation in the kingdom of God which He often describes elsewhere (cf. Mt. 8:11; 22:1-14) in the image of a common meal.
Ibid, Vol. V, p. 162-164
As noted in earlier, biblical support for abstinence came after the public demand for abstinence. Once Christians decided to abstain, they looked to the Bible to support their views. This, of course, is a poor method of biblical exegesis, and usually leads to poor interpretation. Unfortunately, as Christians sought abstinence in the Bible, they often took verses out of context, or otherwise misled to support their views.
First, when one examines the text, he or she will notice that the Bible mentions alcohol quite often. In fact, the Bible mentions alcohol 240 times (Hailey, 1992). Many of those references are favorable toward wine. Verses such as Neh 2:1; Est 5:6; Job 1:13; Mt 9:17; 21:33; and 1 Tim 5:23 are all casual references to wine, showing it as normal part of Hebrew life. Further, Dt 14:26; Ps 4:7; 104:15; Hos 2:8; Pro 3:10; SS 1:2; 4:10; 7:9; and Is 25:6 are all positive aspects of wine. Wine is a symbol of joy (Ps 104:15), God's blessings (Pro 9:2,5), and a worship offering to God (Ex 29:40). Hailey goes on to note that considering Jesus drank, (Lk 7:33,34; Mt 26:26-29) and that he created wine (Jn 2:1-11), "we can derive no other conclusion except that our Lord assigned positive qualities to wine" (Hailey, 1992).
However, some Baptists have tried to claim that the Bible requires abstinence. Some even contest whether Jesus created alcohol at Cana. Aubrey Hearn writes, "the view that Jesus supernaturally provided a large amount of intoxicating wine for the wedding guests has against it the general character and spirit of Jesus..." (Hearn, 1943). However, Hearn fails to consider verse ten. "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." The master could only be speaking about alcohol. If the wine were non-alcoholic, it would not matter how much the people had to drink. They would still be able to detect the cheaper wine. However, if the wine were alcoholic, the early wine would dull their senses, so that later, they would not notice the cheaper wine.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Throughout church history, Christians have been well aware of the potential dangers of alcohol. The Bible warns about abusing alcohol. Many famous characters in history have cautioned about the seduction of alcohol. Most people had observed the effects of drunkenness. Despite these facts, most Christians still saw alcohol as an enjoyable part of life.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Bible, though warning about alcohol, also praises alcohol. It is a gift from God, given to man for our enjoyment. God blessed men with a bountiful harvest of grapes. Those whose vineyards were bare, were being judged. Alcohol was as an offering to God in the Old Testament, and a symbol of salvation in the New Testament. Biblical writers recorded that wine brought joy, and was used in celebrations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This was true in America, until the social Temperance movement gained power. During the nineteenth century, Americans were convinced that alcohol was a scourge to the earth. Surely, God was opposed to this evil, people insisted. Eventually, people sought to prove their view, using the Bible.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Some people found good reason to abstain. The Bible was clear that alcohol could be dangerous. Some biblical characters chose to abstain, or even received commands, by God, to abstain. Finally, peoples' consciences led them to believe that abstinence was best. Unfortunately, some others were not content with these reasons, alone. These Christians took their exegesis farther. Many insisted that the Bible demanded abstinence, not merely allowed it. Some teetotalers made wild and unsubstantiated claims, which their followers gladly accepted. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Within time, prohibition took over the country. Many churches and denominations led the way in prohibition. Churches passed resolutions, and signed covenants requiring abstinence. Churches excommunicated, as sinners, those who dared to disagree. So ingrained was the idea that alcohol was sinful, that it survived long after the prohibition laws were repealed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In the Southern Baptist Convention, the frenzy over prohibition became so powerful that it swept aside the doctrine of liberty. Churches no longer permitted men to interpret the Bible for themselves. While Baptist churches still claimed individual freedom, in practice, members either accepted church teachings, disobeyed in secret, or left their church.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This situation pervaded for almost a century, with little question. However, some began to dispute the church's right to demand abstinence. They pointed out the inherent discrepancy between liberty and forced conformity. Thus, a controversy developed in the Southern Baptist Convention.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Baptists have always been set apart for their strong belief in the competency of the soul. Baptists are free to seek God's direction for their individual lives. Each believer, led by the Holy Spirit, is capable and released to seek God's will. However, for the past century, the Southern Baptist Convention has been violating this basic belief. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The demand for abstinence is not only an intrusion into soul competency, it is biblically wrong. The Bible gives Christians the responsibility to choose whether to drink, or not. There is no legitimate claim that the Bible demands abstinence. The Bible gives the choice. It is time that the Southern Baptist Convention, and its churches, gave that choice back to members.[/FONT]
Oinos, which is most assuredly alcoholic wine, aged wine (grape juice). The word for "too much wine" is oinosflugia.Off-topic, but briefly, they weren't. The original language was Koine Greek.
And how long does that take? Can one make wine in the middle of a wedding feast and have it fermented before the end of the wedding?the yeast is on the outside of the grapes skin, so it will naturally ferment, alcohol does not have to be added
And how long does that take? Can one make wine in the middle of a wedding feast and have it fermented before the end of the wedding?
Excellent post!From your first sip of alcohol, it affects your body.
It passes through your digestive system where the majority of it is absorbed into your bloodstream. Alcohol is highly water soluble so it mixes well with your blood and travels fast, penetrating cells and coursing through your body - where it reaches your brain.
In the brain, it can damage cells and wreak havoc, but it is worse with heavy drinkers. "Light" drinkers, however, still experience alcohol's neurological effects which translate to spiritual impairments.
Studies have shown that just 1 glass of wine affects a person's motor skills and affects their driving.
However, what I find most alarming is that it decreases a person's inhibitions (you get that "relaxed" feeling) and that can be dangerous. You can do things your normally would not do, say things you normally would not say. But you are also more vulnerable to spiritual attack and influences from those who are not following God.
You might think you are in control, but once that alcohol hits your bloodstream (with the first sip), it is the one in control.
This is in addition to your Christian responsibility to not cause your brother to stumble.
I say no alcohol at all. If you need to relax, try prayer or quiet Christian music.
But doing what I described above to a body that is not even my own, but a Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) is not a good thing.
And one sip is all it takes to set it all in motion.
I say teetotaler all the way.
From your first sip of alcohol, it affects your body.
It passes through your digestive system where the majority of it is absorbed into your bloodstream. Alcohol is highly water soluble so it mixes well with your blood and travels fast, penetrating cells and coursing through your body - where it reaches your brain.
In the brain, it can damage cells and wreak havoc, but it is worse with heavy drinkers. "Light" drinkers, however, still experience alcohol's neurological effects which translate to spiritual impairments.
Studies have shown that just 1 glass of wine affects a person's motor skills and affects their driving.
However, what I find most alarming is that it decreases a person's inhibitions (you get that "relaxed" feeling) and that can be dangerous. You can do things your normally would not do, say things you normally would not say. But you are also more vulnerable to spiritual attack and influences from those who are not following God.
You might think you are in control, but once that alcohol hits your bloodstream (with the first sip), it is the one in control.
This is in addition to your Christian responsibility to not cause your brother to stumble.
I say no alcohol at all. If you need to relax, try prayer or quiet Christian music.
But doing what I described above to a body that is not even my own, but a Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) is not a good thing.
And one sip is all it takes to set it all in motion.
I say teetotaler all the way.
That's fine as a personal conviction, but to say that drinking alcohol is inherently immoral would be to call Jesus a sinner and undermine the entirety of Gospel.
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