Beer and Alcohol

[chosenone343]

I think you need another option in the poll. One such as:

It depends on the person and the situation.

From what I read in the Bible, I believe that drunkenness is a sin (not drinking). However, the Bible also states that you should not cause your brother to stumble. I believe that if I am alone, or with a couple friends that do not have a drinking problem, that it is fine to have a beer or two. Now, throw in that friend that is an alcoholic or has problems with drunkenness, it now becomes a sin for me to drink around them, as I may cause them to stumble.

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

To say drinking alcohol at all is a sin, is clearly an overboard statement. We Know for a fact that Jesus drank wine.

However, getting drunk isn't the only sin that may involve Alcohol. If you have a person who you know has a problem with alcohol, and you drink in their presense anyway, that too is sin.

Amen! I totally agree with that. I myself don't drink because uh I don't like the taste of wine. Oh yeah I've never tried beer and well I don't plain on it.

 

[KnarfKS]

I love to have a beer every once in a while, just one, maybe two. I'm one of those weird people who like the taste of good beer. I do agree with what many people have said earlier that american beer is bad. Europeans know how to make it much better.

As for whether it is a sin or not it depends on the situation. Are you causing others to stumble, are you of age to drink, are you yourself stumbling with it? So like Chosenone said, it does depend on the situation.

I don't drink around my friends who are not 21 or those who have had problems in the past. If not to prevent them from stumbling, then for courtesy at least.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

Christ gives us freedom to make choices. We need to make them wisely. I do not see any prohibition against having a drink. I do though see clear evidence that Jesus drank wine. He was even referred to as a "winebibber" which means that He too was at the point of people trying to put laws on Him. I too enjoy a beer now and then. I really don't like wine though I should try to build a palate for it as it is really good for the heart and plain grape juice is not the same. If you are not out getting drunk or neglecting your responsibilities to have a drink, there is not a problem with it.

 

[experimental-robot]

i think most american and canadian maonstream beer is nopt very good, microbreweries are quite different, lots of great tasting beer brewed the old fashioned way from both the US and Canada
quebec has some nice beer as well

 

[davrob]

I think you need another option in the poll. One such as:

It depends on the person and the situation.

From what I read in the Bible, I believe that drunkenness is a sin (not drinking). However, the Bible also states that you should not cause your brother to stumble. I believe that if I am alone, or with a couple friends that do not have a drinking problem, that it is fine to have a beer or two. Now, throw in that friend that is an alcoholic or has problems with drunkenness, it now becomes a sin for me to drink around them, as I may cause them to stumble.

that's a good point. I want to say the Bible says to abstain from drunkeness or drinking to excess, not drinking at all.

I agree that it depends on the person and the situation. We should watch the example we set and be considerate of others' situation if they've had or have a problem with alchohol. However, if it is just me and another buddy or girlfriend and we're sitting around smacking each other with some of those long german sausages then I think that's a great time to have a 'beverage'. Good times! :-D

 

[Soma-Sight]

Upon further research and reflection I believe that knowingly drinking alcohol apart from any medical reason (I dont know of any) is a sin.

I dont believe Christ drank any fermented substances.

 

[Dave...]

Ones understanding of alcoholism will go a long way towards his understanding of how and why alcohol effects people, since there are many myths that are considered by many to be fact. Until that time when you do have a proper understanding of alcoholism, you are unqualified to discuss this topic.

 

[Soma-Sight]

Your understanding of alcoholism will go a long way towards your understanding of how and why alcohol effects people since there are many myths that are considered by many to be fact . Until that time, sorry, none of you are qualified to discuss this topic.

lol,

Hey Dave have you ever chased down a family member to have to pull them out of the bushes because they were drunk?

Ever get hit by a drunken father?

Ever had to bail a friend out of jail because they drove their car through a winery?

I have and I say that alcohol and fermented drinks are SINFUL by definition.

Drinking is rotten just like the grapes it comes from.

 

[Khristeeanos]

I dont believe Christ drank any fermented substances.

Jesus told us He did. Here is where.

Matthew 11:17-19
" 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge
and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

Jesus tell us he drank and others called him a drunkard. Why would Jesus say this unless He was drinking fermented substances?

 

[Soma-Sight]

Jesus tell us he drank and others called him a drunkard. Why would Jesus say this unless He was drinking fermented substances?

There are a couple of arguments....

1. That the greek tranlation of the "wine" refers to unfermented.

2. Looking at this text it says he DRANK a non specific substance and was PERCIEVED to be a drunkard.

If you look at it this way Jesus could have been drinking Welches grape juice and was ACCUSED by others of being a drunk.

I dont believe He drank fermented stuff and thats what I believe. You can believe what you want.

I think drinking is Sin in any amount.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

It is completely obvious that at the wedding in Cana He made fermented wine as it was even said that most people bring out the good stuff first so when the people have had too much, they won't notice the bad stuff being given them.

It also says that the Son of Man was called a winebibber.

If you can show me where in the Bible it says that having a drink is sin, I will go with it. Otherwise, I think it more wise to not add to the Word of God. Putting laws on people who are under grace is a dangerous road.

 

[cubedbee]

Deut. 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household...

God tells the Isrealites they may drink wine and strong drink. While the Hebrew for wine might possibly be referring to unfermented grape juice, the Hebrew word for strong drink is definitely refering to alchohol. God would never have commanded the Isrealites to sin. Therefore, I know that drinking alcohol is not a sin.

 

[Dave...]

Hey Dave have you ever chased down a family member to have to pull them out of the bushes because they were drunk?

Ever get hit by a drunken father?

Ever had to bail a friend out of jail because they drove their car through a winery?

1) That's all?

2) Many times. I am a recovering/acloholic myself.

3) Yes I have bailed out friends, and have been bailed out myself a few times.

Slight modification:

I have and I say that alcohol and fermented drinks as we know it today are SINFUL by Biblical definition.

I agree.

While many Christians are telling their brothers and sisters in the Lord that it's ok to have just one drink, they are ignorantly hanging a millstone around the necks of some of these same people.

I would highly recommend that all of you who don't already know, educate yourselves about alcoholism. It's the first drink that gets you, not the rest. For some people that first drink is a killer.

The whine used in Biblical times was water mixed with Wine. Up to a 20 to 1 ratio. The pure wine was just used to purify the water. That's why you have scripture that speaks both against drinking wine, and scripture that seems to say it's ok. Because the wine being talked about is different. Purified water vs. Strong drink (unmixed or 1 to 1 ratio).

 

[Lyric's Dad]

When Christ turned the water into wine it was not some mixture. They were talking about how good the wine was. If it was just a need for more water, they already had that. So if drinking is sinful then you are saying that Christ handed out sin. Nope, not buying that.

While I will support you in not drinking and feeling as though it is sin for YOU, you cannot put that same weight on another person.

 

[Scott]

1. That the greek tranlation of the "wine" refers to unfermented.

Soma, take it from one who knows about growing grapes and making wine. They had no way to stop fermentation back then. Grapes are a seasonal fruit. Grape juice will ferment, it doesn't just stay grape juice. Here is a Biblical fact, see Luke 23:36. Vinegar is the result of wine gone bad from either oxidation or bacteria spoilage.

Wine vinegar is actually great for cooking.

 

[philbo]

The poll is phrased in a way that makes it difficult for me to answer...

 

[jeffnevins]

I overdid it a few times back in the wild days of working in the old animation studio. I've overdone it a few times since I moved to L.A.

Now that I'm 31, those days are over.

Thankfully, I never feel a need to drink. :P

 

[aiki]

Hey, all!

Sorry, but I just can't stand it when people say things as a matter of fact, when, in truth, they aren't.

For instance:

I do though see clear evidence that Jesus drank wine. He was even referred to as a "winebibber" which means that He too was at the point of people trying to put laws on Him.

Who referred to Jesus as a "winebibber"? (Matt. 11:17-19) It was Jesus' enemies, the Pharisees. Their characterization of Christ as a "winebibber" should be automatically taken as suspect given their intense antagonism toward him. The Pharisees also called Jesus "gluttonous". Do we take this as true? Of course not! Christ would not have been the perfect sacrifice he was meant to be if he was either a winebibber or a glutton. These descriptions of Christ were meant to be slanderous, not accurate. As such, they communicate nothing about the true nature of Jesus' conduct. Therefore, these accusations cannot be made to serve as proof that Jesus drank alcohol.

As to the matter of the wedding at Cana it cannot be said that Jesus made wine there that would intoxicate others. Doing so would make Jesus, as the supplier of such wine, partly responsible for the drunkenness of anyone who consumed the wine. Being an "accomplice" to the drunkenness of another would put Jesus at odds with His Father's many commands not to be drunk. Christ wouldn't be the sinless Lamb of God under these conditions, would he? Therefore, while Jesus did make "wine" at the wedding of Cana, it is highly unlikely it was of the strongly alcoholic sort as is the wine of today.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

How does drinking alcohol glorify God?

One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Ga. 5:23), but alcohol diminishes self-control. Is this effect of alcohol upon you glorifying to God?

Drinking may cause a brother or sister to stumble. Does running this risk by drinking socially glorify God?

We are to be faithful stewards of what God has given to us -- including our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). Alcohol is a toxin, or poison, hence the phrase "intoxicating drink". When imbibed, it is particularly damaging to one's liver, kidneys and brain. Is purposely poisoning yourself, then, however mildly, by drinking alcohol glorifying to God?

Alcohol has cultural connections to things that are totally opposed to God. Alcohol is the fluid of choice at strip bars, night clubs, and various other assorted licentious and sinful establishments and occasions. Is it glorifying to God to partake of that which is so connected -- especially when it is not necessary to do so?

Alcohol is also highly addictive. Scripture tells us that Christians are not to purposely put themselves under the power or bondage of anything except Christ. Does taking the chance, then, of becoming addicted to alcohol by consuming it glorify God?

I wouldn't go so far as to call a sip of wine with a meal or a cold beer on a hot afternoon "sin", but I would, in light of the above, call it foolish and dishonoring to God (which would make it sin, though, wouldn't it? Hmmm...).

I think drinking alcohol qualifies as a "weight" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. It may not be sin, exactly, but it does absolutely nothing to help me become more like Christ. Instead, it is, for the reasons given above, likely to burden me as I "run the race set before me" toward "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). As Hebrews 12:1 urges us, we ought to "set aside" such weight.

In Christ, Aiki.

 

[KnarfKS]

How does drinking alcohol glorify God?

How does watching a movie, going for a walk, listening to music, socializing with people. All of these things can be bad if they are not used properly. The US is just about the only country who's Christians have a problem with alcohol use in moderation. The others know that it is just a drink that in moderation is something to be enjoyed. Do we have a problem with caffinated beverages? Caffeine is as addictive as alcohol. Who here can't function without the morning cup?

One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Ga. 5:23), but alcohol diminishes self-control.

One beer to most people will not hinder self control in any way, unless they are already addicted, then that is another problem from the start. If you have a problem with self control and alcohol then you shouldn't drink. The self control issues come before the alcohol effects it.

Drinking may cause a brother or sister to stumble.

I adressed this earlier. Don't drink if it will cause others to stumble, but a beer at my own house with friends who are of age and have no problems with alcoholism isn't causing anyone to stumble.

We are to be faithful stewards of what God has given to us -- including our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). Alcohol is a toxin, or poison, hence the phrase "intoxicating drink". When imbibed, it is particularly damaging to one's liver, kidneys and brain.

Kind of true, the body can handle roughly one drink per hour for the average person and have absolutely no ill effects, except maybe a slight diuretic effect (you pee more). Driinking heavily over a long period of time will affect these other organs like the liver and brain as well as nutritional imbalances with niacin and many others. But in small amounts it doesn't damage anything.

Alcohol has cultural connections to things that are totally opposed to God. Alcohol is the fluid of choice at strip bars, night clubs, and various other assorted licentious and sinful establishments and occasions. Is it glorifying to God to partake of that which is so connected -- especially when it is not necessary to do so?

Again, this is american culture. Do you think bad of C.S. Lewis, or Tolkien, I have visited the pub in Oxford England that they frequented. I have even met european Christians who are strong in their faith and had beer regularly at bible study.
There are many things we do that are connected to sinful practices. The act of dancing or music can also be linked to these establishments too. But we don't have a problem if we use those two responsibly. They are not necessary either.

Alcohol is also highly addictive.

Not really compared to most things. Psychologically it may be addictive for some people. But physically it actually takes several years to make your body addicted to it.

I wouldn't go so far as to call a sip of wine with a meal or a cold beer on a hot afternoon "sin", but I would, in light of the above, call it foolish and dishonoring to God (which would make it sin, though, wouldn't it? Hmmm...).

No. I'm basking in God's glory sitting in the hot sun enjoying a cold beer or at dinner enjoying a glass of wine with my dinner. I am honoring God for giving thanks. If I were to be drunk while doing this well yes, but I'm not looking to condone drunkeness either.

I think drinking alcohol qualifies as a "weight" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1.

It very well can become a weight, as can anything if not used responsibly. This can be used for anything that is used in an inproper way. You could feasibly do this with even things like rules.

I enjoy a beer every once in a while because I like the taste. I know there are few people who do, but I'm one of them. I enjoy wine with a meal, but this rarely happens. I would say that I only drink maybe 2 or 3 drinks a month and usually not at the same time. I usually don't even keep it around the apartment. If others have a problem with drinking, then they shouldn't and they should let me know if I'm around them so I won't. I won't drink if there is a remote possibility that they might stumble. It has never been a problem of causing others to stumble thus far and I take it seriously enough that it won't ever become a problem.