I’ve bitten off more than any of us can chew, as I’ve promised to try and cover most of the Old Testament with this post. Some will have little patience for this kind of Bible study, and I’m okay with that. But some would like to see what all of Scripture has to say about alcohol, so we’ll continue on with this series.
I’m going to have to try and group ideas here and will not be able to cover every pertinent text. I’ll do my best to give representative texts for the different ideas presented:
• If the Pentateuch was ambiguous about its view toward drunkenness, some statements in the books of the prophets are less so. They condemn alcohol abuse. (Isaiah 5:11-12, 22; 28:1-8; Amos 4:1; 6:6) We should also note Eli’s reaction to Hannah’s apparent drunkenness. (1 Samuel 1:12-14)
• Wine was given to man for his enjoyment. (Psalm 104:14-15; Jeremiah 31:12-14)
• Wine was given to man to “gladden his heart.” (Judges 9:13; Ecclesiastes 9:7; 10:19; Zechariah 10:7)
• Wine is a sign of blessing and abundance; lack of wine is a sign of punishment and hardship. (Joel 2:24-26; 3:18; Isaiah 24:7-11)
• The joyous drinking of wine is part of God’s promise for the future (Isaiah 25:6-9; 62:8-9; Jeremiah 31:12-14; Amos 9:13).
This Old Testament survey reflects the practice of the Puritans that we saw in an earlier post, where they praised wine as a gift from God and condemned drunkenness as a work of the devil.
But does wine really mean wine in the Bible? Sadly, I guess this has to be addressed sometime. The theory of “wineless” wine was invented in the 19th century and refuses to go away, despite all evidence to the contrary. Rather than offer a long, drawn out argument, let me refer you to a thorough post on The Two Wine Theory. For those who don’t wish to read there, here are some pertinent quotes:
Against this view is the nearly unanimous testimony of the lexicons, dictionaries, encyclopedias and historians that the terms for wine (yayin in Hebrew, and oinos in Greek) refer to a clearly alcoholic substance. Gentry [author of God Gave Wine—Tim] quotes a couple lexicons and the TWOT as unequivocally stating that yayin is alcoholic. Strong’s Concordance Dictionary notes: “yayin; from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication intoxication; — banqueting, wine, wine (-bibber).” Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament (edited by Merril Unger and William White Jr., and part of Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary states: “Yayin… is the usual Hebrew word for fermented grape…. [It] clearly represents an intoxicating beverage.” The article for “wine” in the revised ISBE (edited by Geoffrey Bromiley) states “Both yayin and tirosh are fermented grape juice with alcoholic content; hence both are able to cause intoxication (cf. Hos. 4:11) and are to be distinguished from ‘must’ or unfermented grape juice.” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary [Chicago: Moody Press, 1988; edited by Merrill F. Unger] states, “In most of the passages in the Bible where yayin is used (83 out of 138), it certainly means fermented grape juice; and in the remainder it may fairly be presumed to do so. The intoxicating character of yayin in general is plain from Scripture.”
There is no reason to think that the wine that “gladdens men’s hearts” is anything but fermented wine, wine containing alcohol.
[I’m largely refraining from commenting on comments, trying to present my thoughts bit by bit. Toward the end of the series, I’ll try and be more interactive.]
Previous posts in this series:
The Christian and Alcohol (Alcohol abuse)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 2 (Alcohol in the history of the U.S.)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 3 (Seeing what the Bible says about alcohol)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 4 (What the Pentateuch says about alcohol)
Mt:26:29: But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Sounds like there may be a little “fruit of the vine” in heaven, and it must be a liquid since they are going to drink it.
Tim,
Thanks for linking to my post. This looks like a great series on the issue of alcohol. I’m looking forward to your next posts.
Blessings in Christ,
Bob
i sense a lot of love here, no really, i am actually being serious for once.
each is taking up for someone they love:
some have friends and family who are alcoholics (recovering or not)
some are taking up for people who have been sold a bill of goods that is not what God said
some are concerned about children.
it’s so hard to discuss Truth in a vacuum. not only do we have pre-conceived opinions, but we love, and sometimes our love clouds our thinking.
I don’t know if that’s good or bad or true, but wanted to say it anyway.
Good series. Good approach. Interesting comments along the way.
I am so sorry to hear that those of us who abstain from drinking are being punished and suffering hardship. It is so sad to know that my life of sobriety is characterized by God as being punished.
That’s a good point, Joe. In my rush, I worded that a little more succinctly than I should have. Lack of wine on a national level was hardship and suffering. This does not refer to abstinence.
No one should look down on anyone for abstaining, just as no one should look down on anyone for drinking. [Yeah, I know, I’m getting ahead of myself.] Just as some in Romans 14 are reported as choosing to eat only vegetables, we can imply from that chapter that some chose to abstain from wine. The thrust of that chapter is that neither group is to look down on the other.
Joe, if I have misrepresented the passages I have referred to, please point that out. We’re all here to learn.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim,
I don’t think you are a bad guy but one thing bugs me about this discussion. I may be wrong, and I hope so, but I think you know what your conclusion is and won’t say so.
I know what I believe. I don’t think a Christian should consume alcohol except for medical purposes, other necessity, or in a state so small it can’t affect our thinking, judgement, or actions. I don’t think I need a “Thou shalt Not” to state this. Scripture continually warns us against wine and strong drink. Yes, it speaks of it as a blessing too.
So either the Bible contradicts itself or it is talking about it in two different levels. In my opinion that level is the alcohol content of the liquid. I don’t agree with your conclusion that all wine in the Bible is fermented. I have seen, and studied exhaustive research to show otherwise. To me, this clears up the confusion of how and why the Bible both condemns and exalts wine. It condemns it’s use in any level that alters or mind. It exalts it’s use as nourishing liquid.
If we think God speaking of wine that cheers us, meaning getting on a “buzz” ( a word for mildy drunk) then I think we are playing games with the Bible.
I hope that isn’t where you are going. You say you haven’t reached a conclusion but your style of writing simply leads me to think otherwise. If you haven’t then that’s fine but if you have then I think it is more honest to state it.
PRIESTS
In regards to your response on priests. I think it makes sense that we shouldn’t use mind altering drugs. Alcohol in the way it is consumed today is a mind altering drug. I don’t know what regulations you have in mind. I guess I ‘d have to go back and study priestly regulations but this one makes sense to me.
Joe,
The statement that “Scripture continually warns us against wine and strong drink” seems to be an overstatement, unless I have overlooked a lot of passages that you would like to point out.
You would be welcome to share the exhaustive research about wine not being fermented. I have seen none except by those seeking to make an argument. Sources that I have read, lexicons, encyclopedias, etc., that were merely examining the language and culture, have pretty well refuted that argument. If there is newer evidence of which I’m unaware, please bring it to my attention.
I am seriously trying to look honestly at what the Bible says about alcohol. Your help in this endeavour is welcome.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Sure, I’ve studied enough to draw some conclusions. I told someone at the beginning of this that I was sure I would make just about everyone mad along the way. So far so good, right?
I want my conclusions to be based on Scripture. Let’s go through the Scriptures and see what they say, THEN draw conclusions. If I’m misrepresenting a passage, refute the interpretation of that passage. If I’m overlooking a passage, bring it out. Let’s base our conclusions on the whole of Scripture, not just a proof text here or there.
If Scripture continually warns against wine and strong drink, quote the dozens of passages that say that. I’m obviously overlooking some. Let’s have an honest discussion based on Scripture, not preconceptions nor gut feelings.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
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Joe, you can’t claim research without sharing research. Academics call that lying.
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Tim,
I commend you for saying honestly what the Bible says, even when it doesn’t fit the comfortable template we have known for many years. It takes courage to do what you have done.
Royce
Thanks, Royce. I appreciate it greatly.
Quoting Laymond:
“Mt:26:29: But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Sounds like there may be a little ‘fruit of the vine’ in heaven, and it must be a liquid since they are going to drink it.”
Since the Kingdom refers to the church, Jesus is telling us that he shares the Lord’s supper with us.