Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/28/2006

Question
I am a fellow believer who loves God and his word. I have come across different scriptures pertaining to drinking of wine. I personally do not drink but have recently been thinking of having a private romantic dinner with my wife and I thought about some wine. We had sparkling grape juice with dinner before and it was great. I am not looking for an exuse to drink I'm just concerned about the interpretation of the scripture as it relates to wine. Jesus turns water to wine at a wedding..some believe that it was not fermented and/or it was done for some deep spiritual reason. Timothy was encouraged to drink for his often illnesses. Deacons were instructed to " not be given to MUCH wine ". I guess my question is...was the wine fermented back then? I personally believe that wine that is not fermented is grape juice and why would instructions to " not be given to much wine " be given if the wine was simply juice. I personally don't have any conviction from the Holy Spirit concerning the wine but I hear so many different opinions concerning wine. I know about not being a wine bibber and not being a drunkard according to scripture. I would like to know from you if you have any scriptural references that you can direct me to ( I probably have studied them all ) that will give me some wisdom on this matter. Also, can you share your view on this subject ( being one who believes that they have the holy ghost and have obtained mercy of the Lord )This is my first time ever writing anyone concerning any christian issue and I really appreciate this service.  

Answer
Mr. Scott,

There are three words relating to wine in the Greek and nine in the Hebrew. In the Hebrew text there appears to be more distinction between the types of wine than in the Greek text. When it speaks of "given to wine" it refers to being overcome by or given to the wine (drunk).

In Ephesians it speaks of not being drunk with wine, wherein is EXCESS. This term relates to things that are not needed in our life. Again, this comes from too much wine. It is speaking of fermented wine in this passage.

There are other passages that refer to non-fermented wine, or the fruit of the vine (grape juice). I can say from my own personal study, that I find no prohibition of drinking alcoholic wine totally, in Scripture.

From a different perspective though, I do see wrong in drinking alcoholic beverages, even if a person doesn't get drunk(?). What does it mean to be drunk with wine? It refers to being intoxicated or having the mental capacities diminished. To what degree does Scripture indicate that the mental capacities must be diminished? I don't think Scripture makes reference to what degree. In that case, I would assume that would indicate to any degree.

What is the normal reason for alcoholic beverages? It is to get "relaxed" or to get drunk to a certain degree. There is no other reasonable explaination for using alcoholic beverages. Now there are times that alcohol is used in a medicinal way. Nyquil is a medication that contains alcohol. But it is not used as a beverage.

There is another aspect of the wine that many do not examine. Where will this "wine" be obtained? Will people that might be influenced by your purchase of, or use of, the alcohol see you using or purchasing the beverage? What of young people that are easily influenced by older "roll models?" I would hate for a young person in my church to be influenced to drink alcohol by my single use of it as a beverage. The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, former Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, said this alone should be a good enough reason to prevent any adult from drinking alcohol as a beverage. If anything I do causes one of these little ones to be offended (caused to stumble), it were better for me that a millstone were hanged around my neck and I be cast into the sea.

I would say, that there are enough Scriptures against alcohol as a beverage to leave it alone. There are enough other beverages that are just as tasty(?). I think fermented wine stinks and has no good flavor. I used to drink, and that is another reason that I stand against it as a beverage. I know how it had me in its grips and what it almost did to me. That brings me to my last point. The Scripture in Proverbs 20:1 says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." We are called upon in Scripture to be wise, not in our own eyes, but to follow the wisdom of the Lord. If God only gave one warning against alcoholic beverages, and this were it, I would think He would want us to refrain from even the temptation of having it in our midst as a beverage. If it is that much of a deceiver, we should be wary of it and its presence.

I hope this has adequately expressed what you sought in your question. If I may be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to use allexperts.com at any time.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn