A.W.Tozer wrote a whole long article on this subject almost 60 years ago entitled "The Menace of The Religious Movie". Read it and find out why Christians should not even be having this discussion on Movies today. What Tozer wrote ended the debate for me. His logic and reasoning, though hard to swallow, was flawless and thoroughly biblical.
From what I understand, the wine "back then" was diluted, one part wine and two parts water. Strong drink constituted undiluted wine. Apparently the alcohol content was still high enough to disinfect the water and leave a little flavour to boot. .
John UK wrote: I have produced a handful of scriptures which have not been gainsaid yet. Does that mean you are in agreement with me? Or is it that there is NO argument against them?
Only a fool argues against Scripture. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:16)
John UK wrote: I will answer that there are no warnings against drinking wine in moderation. Some churches though, make it such an issue that you may get shunned if caught having a glass with your meal. This is legalism, and is a problem in many fundy churches, who lay down laws not found in the Bible.
Drinking becomes a sin when the motive for doing so is no longer pure. Yet the expediency of drinking must also be considered.
Back to the subject of giving up alcohol, I'd like to share a personal testimony. I posted it elsewhere but I think it might be worth repeating. I was in Bible College rooming with three other Christian young men. Unbeknownst to us, one had a history of alcohol abuse. But he had gotten saved, quit drinking and went to Bible College to get grounded in the Word and establish new friends. One day one of us brought home a bottle of wine to celebrate our "freedom" in Christ, and prove you can drink and still be a Christian. So three of us were sipping wine when we offered some to the fourth. To our amazement he didn't just sip it, he gulped it down! That day is a day of regret on my part, this poor young man who had tried so hard to straighten out his life couldn't at that moment say no, and admit that he'd had a past problem. For him it was a return to a hopeless life of drinking and the hellish lifestyle that comes with it. Was I to blame? Was he to blame? You be the judge. The outcome was the same.
Let me add something. In Europe where I grew up people for the most part drank without trying to prove something. when I came to the US I discovered that to drink alcohol proved that you were open minded, not legalistic, hip, and enlightened.
Let me tell a story that enlightened me further. I was in Bible College rooming with three other Christian young men. Unbeknownst to us, one had a history of alcohol abuse. But he had gotten saved, quit drinking and went to Bible College to get grounded in the Word and establish new friends. One day one of us brought home a bottle of wine to celebrate our "freedom" in Christ, and prove you can drink and still be Christian. So three of us were sipping wine when we offered some to the fourth. To our amazement he didn't just sip it, he gulped it down. That day is a day of regret on my part, this poor young man who had tried so hard to straighten out his life couldn't at that moment say no, and admit that he'd had a past problem. For him it was a return to a hopeless life of drinking and the hellish lifestyle that comes with it. Was I to blame? Was he to blame? You be the judge. The outcome was the same.
The apostle Paul says it best, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any".
I'm afraid drinking is becoming a sacred cow for some that dare not be challenged. I would encourage anyone to read the last two articles in their entirety posted here on SA regarding the subject of drinking.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things
I don't drink, and so far haven't regretted it. I believe my wife and children would say the same. Fifty years from now I wonder how many evangelicals will be living with deep regrets. When I was a teen I knew a Christian girl, she was tall, blond, very pretty, and enlightened about drinking. Today she is dead having taken her own life after years of alcoholism. Way to go Evangeilicals!
Christopher, anyone who is exposed to the mass media propaganda is going to find himself sooner or later questioning his long held beliefs. Hitler once said, "if you speak a lie long enough and loud enough, people will believe anything"
6/13/14 7:41 AM
