Editor’s Page
-R. Alan Streett
“‘They Have No Wine:’ Wet/Dry Baptists and the Alcohol Issues”
-Bill J. Leonard
“The Christian and Alcohol”
-Richard Land and Barrett Duke
“The Bible and the Question of Alcoholic Beverages”
-Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
“Women’s Christian Temperance Union”
-Sarah F. Ward
“The Famous ‘Booze’ Sermon”
-William “Billy” Sunday
Book Reviews
Index of Book Reviews
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Website-only Articles:
“To Drink or Not To Drink: A Sober Look at the Question”
-Norman Geisler
April 19, 2008 at 7:05 pm |
[...] what “the authority of scripture” and “sola scriptura” mean in the SBC? Read Richard Land’s essay on alcohol use in the current Criswell Review. Posted by: Michael Spencer @ 3:05 pm | Trackback | [...]
April 23, 2008 at 6:34 pm |
[...] and Alcohol The latest Criswell Theological Review is devoted to the ever controversial issue of Christians and alcohol. I have yet to read any of it [...]
April 29, 2008 at 12:26 am |
There is no such thing as unfermented wine. The yeast exists on each grape berry (the dust you see on each grape), and fermentation starts the moment the berry skin is broken. Unfermented grape juice can exist only if pasteurized. Even refrigerated juice will ferment over time, as will most cold things–just look in the back of your refrigerator at the stuff you have not thrown out for months.
Alcohol abuse can cause many problems, but abuse is the problem. I have not heard anyone saying that believers should quit eating because many are gluttons, or that they should give up sex because of its abuse, or that believers should stop drinking water because drinking too much can flush the body of electrolytes and cause heart stoppage. Also if you are going to act like a Nazerite, then you must give up raisins also.
If you want to see what Calvin, Luther, and other pillars of the church thought of alcohol consumption, check out Pastor Jim West’s book, Drinking with Calvin and Luther. Historically, abstention is a very recent phenomenon, and mostly American. Please do not say,”But we know more now.” God knew all about alcohol when He invented wine.
God states in Judges 9.13 that wine cheers Him, and He considers it so highly that Jesus chose wine as the perfect symbol of his blood. God lists 5 gifts in Psalm 104.14-15–rain, food from the earth, bread, oil, and wine. So how many have rejected God’s gift of bread or oil? It is risky business trying to be more spiritual than Jesus!!
June 9, 2008 at 2:14 pm |
My response to Land and Duke’s article:
‘The Christian and Alcohol’ A Response to Land & Duke
August 17, 2008 at 9:11 am |
psychicchatonline…
…
November 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm |
Jesus Christ drank wine. He changed the water into wine in Jn 2:1-11 but for a very good reason. What was symbolized in Jn 2:1-11? None of you know and that is why you argue about things like physical wine and whether or not we can drink it.
The problem with you baptists and multitudes of others is that you have never received God’s Power from on High, the Power that gives true Christians Wisdom from God, Righteousness from God, Holiness from God and Redemption from God, 1Co 1. You do not have the saving Mind of Christ, 1Co 2. You have never received the anointing from the Holy One of God that teaches those who receive it, 1Jn 2. Why? Because you believe in a false carnal baptism given by the hands of men instead of the spiritual New Covenant baptism given by God. You remain in the flesh under the Law of Sin and Death, not the Law of the Spirit of Life. That is why you have these kinds of issues that will never be an issue among true Christians.
We are commanded to: “Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth!” We are also commanded to test ourselves and the spirits, 2Co 13; 1Jn 4. So, here are 4 simple, basic but extremely critical Gospel Truth questions with very easy, short answers:
1) Jesus Christ told us to seek first God’s Kingdom and God’s Righteousness, Mt 6:33a. This command is expounded in other Scriptures but probably best of all in Ro 1:16-25. In the Scriptures there is a Righteousness from God revealed that is by Faith and this is what we must believe according to Scriptures such as Mk 1:14-15. What, exactly, is it that we must find first, believe in and make more important than our own physical life?
2) When Jesus Christ changed the water into wine, He revealed His Glory, Jn 2:1-11. What was symbolized when He changed the water into wine?
3) All true Christians must leave the Law of Sin and Death and belong to the Law of the Spirit of Life to be saved, Ro 1-8. How, exactly, do we leave the Law of Sin and Death to belong to the Law of the Spirit of Life? Paul described how it is done in Ro 1-8 but what he wrote there can be correctly summarized in a short paragraph by a true Christian who has experienced it but not by a false Christian.
4) In 2Th 2, Paul warned about a terrible lie that the man of sin, the lawless one who is the liar, uses to deceive. Paul revealed what the lie is in plain language in 2Th 2 as well. What is the lie? All true Christians will have THE MIND OF CHRIST and they will know but false Christians will not know. What is the lie? If you do not know what the lie is, then how do you know that you are not following it?
In God’s Love as He defines Love,
anne robare / canawedding at aol dot com – you may email me to notify me if you reply to this comment
April 21, 2009 at 10:07 pm |
To avoid a debate on the issue, I’d like to share my own personal story. I struggled with this very question for years, I also drank for years. I am a Christian and believe Christ is God’s son and came to earth. I believe Christ died and rose 3 days later, just like the scriptures read. I believe that scripture was God inspired and written by men. Now that I got all that stated. My personal walk with Christ started in my mid 20’s. I was raised in a drinking family. We did not attend church or even discuss things of God. It was at the age of 24 that I called my father and said, “I need to change my life, I’m ready to accept Christ and follow him”. It was at this age my life took a new direction. As my life changed, I started to struggle with the drinking question. “Is it ok?” For many years I defended alcohol in saying that it was ok. I pointed out all the reasons in the Bible showing in some way that it was ok. For years I stuggled with this and had no real conviction about drinking not being ok. It was not until about a year ago that I started being consumed by the scripure that says, “do not get drunk on wine which leads to debaucher instead be filled with the Spirit”. (Eph 5:18) Even after hearing this and remembering this, every once and awhile I’d agree to having a glass of red wine. I would remember this scripture and know that the wine was effecting me in a way that I started to not like. Looking at this now, I know it is by the power of Holy Spirit that has helped shape my view on this issue. I have since stopped drinking and my mind seems to be that much more focused on God and the things of God. I’m not saying this is going to be the same for everyone, but it was for me. I know without a doubt that this was God’s will for my life and I am so glad that I listened to him.
May 20, 2009 at 4:14 am |
In reply to L.Silvernail,
What, exactly, did you find when you obeyed Jesus Christ’s command in Mt 6:33a? Didn’t you read my questions above your comments? You can believe all sorts of things from the Scriptures but we were told to begin by seeking first God’s Kingdom and God’s Righteousness, Mt 6:33a. In the Gospel there is a Righteousness from God revealed that we must have Faith in, Ro 1:16-25. You must “ask … seek … knock”, Lk 11. Not one person can just “accept Christ”; it is a lie. The apostles and all other true Christian were always chosen by God, Jn 15. Why? They did what they were told to do! God saw in their hearts and minds that they had repented and believed as He has told us to do, Mk 1:14-15. What, exactly, did they believe? What we are told to seek first and find that is also the narrow Gate to the narrow Road that few will find, Mt 7. Many are called but few are chosen because few want to begin where God told us to begin, Mt 22.
You think you have God’s saving Holy Spirit? Not if you have ignored and rejected the Righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel. I know you have never obeyed Mt 6:33a because it is always so obvious. This is why you are hung up on little rules and regulations and you do not have God’s Power to help you. Start over, as Paul described in Php 3! Begin where we must begin and here is more to help you:
HEBREWS, especially Heb 1:1-3; Heb 5:12-6:2; Heb 9:10
Heb 5:12-6:2: For when BY REASON OF THE TIME, YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, ye have need again that someone TEACH YOU THE RUDIMENTS (Or: that One teach you which are the rudiments) OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES (Gr: beginning) OF THE ORACLES OF GOD and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food. For everyone, that partaketh of milk IS WITHOUT EXPERIENCE OF (Or: inexperienced in) THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR HE IS A BABE. But solid food is FOR FULLGROWN (Or: perfect) MEN, even those WHO BY REASON OF USE HAVE THEIR SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL. Wherefore, LEAVING THE DOCTRINE OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST (Gr: the Word of the beginning of Christ), LET US PRESS ON UNTO PERFECTION (Or: full growth), NOT LAYING AGAIN A FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS AND OF FAITH TOWARD GOD, OF THE TEACHING OF BAPTISMS (Or: washings) AND OF LAYING-ON OF HANDS AND OF RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT. (ASV, public domain translation with most of the footnotes.)
Here it is, in a small portion of Scripture! I had been declaring this critical Gospel Truth for a long time before I realized this little summary has it all. What are “the first principles of the Oracles of God?” Read Mk 1:14-15. First, we must sincerely repent and believe God’s Gospel Truth about Righteousness and baptisms or we will not understand the rest. Read Mt 3-7; 1Pe 2:1-8. Ask…seek…knock, Lk 11! Study Justice and Righteousness, especially in the first half of Matthew and in the first half of Romans! Give extra attention to: Mt 3; Mt 5:17-20; Mt 6:1,31-33; Mt 11:1-15; Mt 23; Lk 1:17; Lk 16:15-17; Ro 1:16-25; Ro 3-4; Ro 7:4-6; Ro 8:1-17; Ro 10:3-4; Gal 1-6; Heb 1-10. Everyone, who is “without experience of the Word of Righteousness,” “is a babe,” an unsaved spiritual infant! Read 2Ti 3:10-17. Spiritual infants do not have saving Righteousness from God through Faith! Read Heb 11-13. These infants can only produce “thorns and thistles” since they do not drink God’s “Rain” of Living Water—the Word of God in Spirit and in Truth. Read Jn 7:37-39; 1Co 12:12-13; Heb 5:7-6:12; 1Pe 1-2:3. Physical water baptisms are the work of spiritual infants who have not had “their senses exercised to discern good and evil.” Read Mt 23-25; Mk 13; Lk 21; 2Co 11:1-15; Gal 1:6-12; 2Th 1-3; 1Ti 4; 2Pe 1-3; 2Jn; Jude; Rev 1-22. They will receive God’s “eternal Judgment” if they do not mature and teach God’s true Gospel, Eph 1-6.
Read Heb 1-13; it won’t take long and mature true Christians are able to understand all of it. In Heb 9:14, what are “dead works?” Read Heb 9:10, located between descriptions of the Old Covenant Law of Sin and Death and the New Covenant Law of the Spirit of Life. Also, read Ro 1-13; Gal 1-6 about these Laws. A person cannot belong to both Laws; it is impossible. Now, look at Heb 9:10 in various translations of God’s Holy Bible:
Heb 9:10: being only (with meats, and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances imposed until a time of reformation. (ASV)
Heb 9:10: These rules are merely about such things as eating, and drinking and ceremonies for washing ourselves. And rules about physical things will last only until the time comes to change them for something better. (CEV – not recommended)
Heb 9:10: consisting only of meats, and drinks and divers washings, ordinances of flesh imposed until the time of setting things right. (DRB)
Heb 9:10: They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink and various washings, imposed until the time of restoration. (HCSB)
Heb 9:10: since they deal only with food, drink and various washings, which are required for the body until the time when things would be set right. (ISV)
Heb 9:10: Which stood only in meats, and drinks, and divers washings and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (KJV)
Heb 9:10: solummodo in cibis et in potibus et variis baptismis et iustitiis carnis usque ad tempus correctionis inpositis (LAT) (Notice the word “justitiis” and consider the futility of carnal, works of the flesh, “justification”!)
Heb 9:10: only on foods, and drinks and various immersions, even ordinances of flesh until a time of setting things right being imposed. (LIT)
Heb 9:10: since they consist only in meats, and drinks and various ablutions, carnal ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. (MNT)
Heb 9:10: since they relate only to food, and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. (NASB)
Heb 9:10: These gifts and sacrifices were only about food, and drink and special washings. They were rules for the body to be followed until the time of God’s New Way. (NCV)
Heb 9:10: They are only a matter of food, and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the New Order. (NIV)
Heb 9:10: (concerned) only with foods, and drinks, various washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed until the time of reformation. (NKJV)
Heb 9:10: For that old system deals only with food, and drink and ritual washing—external regulations that are in effect only until their limitations can be corrected. (NLT – not recommended)
Heb 9:10: but deal only with food, and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right. (NRSV)
Heb 9:10: But which served only for food, and drink and in various ablutions, which are ordinances of the flesh and were imposed until the time of the reformation. (Peshitta translation by G. Lamsa)
Heb 9:10: (Consisting) only of foods, and drinks and various washings, being ordinances of the flesh imposed until the time of setting things right. (Recovery Version)
Heb 9:10: but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It’s essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made. (The Message – definitely not recommended)
Heb 9:10: They are only a matter of food, and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the New Order. (TNIV)
Heb 9:10: mo’non epi’ broo’masin kai’ po’masin kai’diafo’rois baptismoi’s, dikaioo’mata sarko’s me’chri kairou’diorthoo’seoos epikei’mena. (TPR)
Heb 9:10: monon epi bromasin, kai pomasin kai diaforois baptismois, dikaiomata sarkos mechri kairoudiorthoseos epikeimena. (TUA) (Definition of dikaiomata/dikaiomasi(n): dues, fees, lawfully, right!)
Heb 9:10: [Which stood] only in meats, and drinks, and divers washings and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation. (WEB)
Heb 9:10: For their efficacy depends only on meats, and drinks and various washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed until a time of reformation. (WEY)
Heb 9:10: since they deal only with food, and drink and various washings, that is with mere material regulations, which are in force only until the time of setting things straight. (WNT)
Heb 9:10: only in victuals, and drinks, and different baptisms and fleshly ordinances—till the time of reformation imposed upon [them]. (YGB)
John the Baptist baptized with physical water but Jesus Christ baptizes with God’s Holy Spirit. Read Mt 3; Mk 1; Lk 3:1-22; Jn 1-21; Ac 1-5; Ac 10-11; Ac 13; Ac 15:1-35. Now, there is only one baptism of God’s Holy Spirit through His Son. Read Jn 7:37-39; 1Co 12:12-13; Eph 4:4-7. The Lord Jesus Christ is “the Last Adam … a Life-giving Spirit” from God His Father! Read Ro 5; Ro 7:4-6; 1Co 15:45-49. Only believers, who belong to God, will understand His baptism Scriptures. Read Jn 7-9; 2Th 2. Only believers, who have God’s one and only baptism, will have eternal Life. Read Jn 10-21 again and again until you understand these critical Scriptures.
All mature true Christians have received God’s Power through Jesus Christ, including His Wisdom, His Righteousness, His Holiness and His Redemption, when they sincerely repent, believe and desire to obey His Word. Read 1Co 1. There is only one “Mind of Christ” and all true Christians of the last 2000 years will have the same Mind of Christ. Read 1Co 2. Lies cannot dwell in a person along with God’s exact original Gospel Truth. Read 1Co 3. Either a person has God’s saving Gospel Truth or Satan’s lies; there is no middle ground. Read 2Co 11:1-15. Either a person has God’s Light or Satan’s darkness; there is no middle ground. Read Jn 3:14-21; Ro 13. Either a person has eternal Life or eternal Judgment; there is no middle ground. Read 2Co 3-7:1. Pray for Understanding from God! Ask God to bless you with His Wisdom and His Understanding! Read Lk 11-13.
Heb 1:1-3: God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the Prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. Who, being the effulgence of His Glory and the very image of His Substance and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had made purification of sins sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on High. (ASV, public domain.)
Who has “made purification of sins”? Who has been “appointed heir of all things”? Read Mt 16; Jn 2-6. Jesus Christ is building His heavenly Church “by the Word of His Power”. A spiritual infant, who “mindest not the things of God but the things of men” instead, cannot belong to His heavenly Church. Jesus Christ has already provided everything we need for our salvation. Read Jn 1; 2Pe 1. We cannot expect to be saved if we believe in any works of the flesh from the OT Law and that includes all physical water baptisms. They are works of the flesh done to the flesh by the hands of flesh. Paul’s warnings against physical circumcisions also apply to all physical water baptisms. Read Gal 1-6; Php 1-4; Col 1-4. Spiritual infants, who continue with works of the flesh from the Old Covenant Law of Sin and Death, have rejected salvation through Faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, Rev 19. Spiritual infants, who continue with physical water baptisms, have rejected the Righteousness of the Son of God and His Father! Salvation must begin with spiritual Faith in the Righteousness of God and His Son. Read Mt 3-12; Mk 1:14-15; Ro 1-8; 1Th 1-5; 2Th 1-3; 1Jn 2. All unbelievers will be thrown into the unquenchable Lake of Fire! Read Mt 13; Mk 4; Lk 8-10. Believe, repent and obey “the Word of His Power!” In Mt 6:33a, the Lord said, “But seek ye first His Kingdom and His Righteousness!” Listen!
Serving “The Lord our Righteousness” for the Glory of God the Father,
anne robare / canawedding at aol dot com. Ask for more free proof. God’s Water of Life is always free!
May 20, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
Solid article: will visit once more!
July 2, 2009 at 12:45 pm |
check this out…
this is mine…