Can We Drink Wine to the Glory of God?

Which of the three positions (prohibition, abstention, moderation) hold up to Scripture?

In previous articles, we made the case that we should not refuse food that God has given us to enjoy. The Apostle Paul condemns men

“who advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude” -- I Timothy 4:4-5.

There are many categories of God ordained "foods" that modern day "diets" and "theologians" instruct us to avoid. Earlier, we discussed the abstention from meat. And we saw from the Bible, that meat is now part of God's diet for man. Read more here: The Evolution of Food in the Bible. In addition, we saw that Meat (not vegetarianism) Is a Gift from God to Be Enjoyed. Next we debunked 10 vegetarian myths: 10 Vegetarian Myths Debunked by God, Science, and the Bible. But to balance the equation, we noted that sometimes vegetarianism is good, acceptable, and even necessary. Read more here: 6 Reasons for God Ordained Vegetarianism in the Bible.

Now we will look at another taboo in many "health food" regimes as well as in many churches. That topic is alcohol consumption.

Should the health conscience Christian drink alcohol?

Even science and health care practitioners are divided on the benefits of alcohol. Dr. Mercola, the leading "alternative" natural health advocate, recommends that alcohol should be avoided altogether. When discussing the latter stages of his nutrition plan, which affects life-style, he writes, "I do recommend eliminating all forms of alcohol." Other doctors write about the health benefits of drinking wine.

Who do we believe?

And there are many Christians who hold the view that alcohol should be completely avoided. A Missionary Baptist Church we visited made their members vow to abstain from the recreational use of alcohol. But there are other church denominations and religious groups who allow (or even encourage) moderate alcohol consumption.

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According to Dr. Kenneth Gentry, there are three basic positions in the alcohol debate among Christians:

• The Prohibitionist position sees "alcoholic beverages as unfit for human consumption, being specifically forbidden by Scripture." Adherents of this view include Stephen Reynolds, Jack Van Impe, and David Wilkerson. [2]

• The Abstentionist position "maintains that although Scripture does not expressly forbid alcoholic beverages in toto, alcohol consumption...today is imprudent and should not be condoned."  Adherents of this view include Gleason Archer, Harold Lindsell, Jerry Gunn, and The Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. [3]

• The Moderationist position "maintains that alcoholic beverages are permitted to Christians if moderately consumed in a circumspect manner." This view is held by Dr. Kenneth Gentry. See his book: God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About Alcohol. Other proponents of this view include G.I. Williamson, Andre Bustanoby, and J.G. Vos. [4]

So how do we know which position is correct? Is wine to be forbidden altogether? Is it okay for medicine, but not for entertainment as the Missionary Baptist Church concludes? Perhaps there is nothing sinful about drinking wine (or alcohol), but we should avoid it out of love — as per the abstentionist position. Or should we take the moderationist view of Dr. Kenneth Gentry and others?

Always, we must appeal to Scripture to answer the question: Can we drink wine to the glory of God? If the Bible conclusively states that alcohol is forbidden, then we must refrain from drinking — and teach this to others. But, if the Bible permits the use of alcohol, we must not forbid others from partaking.

Our next post will begin to explore what the Bible actually says about alcohol. From this we will draw a conclusion if wine is to be avoided or enjoyed. We will start with the evidence that supports alcohol consumption to the glory of God (if it exists). Then we will explore warnings against excesses (which all would agree exist). And finally we will explore if there are health benefits to alcohol consumption and/or health detriments for excess.

The first step is to answer the question: "Did the wine in the Bible really contain alcohol?"

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Next: The Joy of the Vine Is in the Wine

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[1] http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/06/drinking-alcohol.aspx

[2] Gentry, Kenneth. God Gave Wine. Oakdown, p. 3-4 [3] Ibid. p. 5 [4] Ibid. p. 6