The Bible and “Social Drinking” Grapes of Wrath The Bible and “Social Drinking”

Do the following passages condone “moderate” or “social” drinking?

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake… (1 Tim. 5:23)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess… (Eph. 5:18)

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:39)

“Wine” in the Bible Greek “oinos” translated “wine” May be fermented or unfermented Context provides distinction Hebrew “yayin” translated “oinos” in LX Other Hebrew words for wine “Wine” does not necessarily denote fermented wine

New Wine is a Blessing Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’… (Isaiah 65:8 NKJV)

Fermented Wine a Curse Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. (Prov. 23:31-32)

Wine is a Mocker Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. (Prov. 20:1 ASV)

Alcohol is Poison Poison – “A substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism; something destructive or harmful” (Webster)

Intoxication “Toxic means poison, and to intoxicate means to poison. An intoxicating drink is a poisonous drink” (W. Lee Lewis, Professor of Chemistry)

Prevention of Fermentation A chief argument for proponents of “social drinking” is that the ancients could not prevent fermentation This is far from true, as will be demonstrated

Process of Fermentation Grape juice contains two essential elements: sugar and gluten The decay of gluten promotes the growth of yeast germs Sugar is slowly converted to alcohol in the presence of yeast

Gluten Separation Gluten is located in the lining of the skin and the envelope of the seed If the juice is carefully removed from the grape without releasing the gluten, it may remain unfermented for a time Ancients called this protropum, a sweet drink

Moisture Removal Grapes were allowed to dry in the unbroken skin They were later boiled and the juice was drunk Grapes were also boiled to remove all water Alcohol evaporates at 172 Grape juice boils at 212

Air Exclusion Germs from yeast are introduced by air into fermentable liquids Ancients would seal fresh juice in vessels and bury them or sink them in water Columella – “It will thus remain sweet for a whole year”

Reduced Temperature Vinous fermentation only possible at temperatures between 40 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit Above this acetous fermentation occurs (vinegar) Juice could be kept from fermentation (briefly) by sealed vessels in water

Sulphur Fumigation Oxygen is absorbed by sulphur fumigation Oxygen is necessary for fermentation These were referred to as “smoked wines”

Didn’t Jesus Make Wine? Did Jesus make alcoholic wine at the wedding feast in Cana? (John 2:1-11) Cited by many as evidence that Jesus condoned “social drinking” of alcoholic wine

The Wedding Feast Jesus, his disciples, and Mary are invited to a wedding feast They ran out of wine Mary took the problem to Jesus Jesus says to fill six pots (120 to 180 gallons) with water Governor pronounces it the finest wine

What Was the Miracle? Jesus did instantaneously what He does in a season each year through the laws of nature Water from clouds Taken into roots of vine Converted to sap in vine Finally juice in grape Why would He go beyond this to make alcohol?

Would Jesus Contribute to Drunkenness? The guests had “well drunk” (10) until they ran out of wine (3) If drinking alcoholic wine, some would likely be “well drunk” If Jesus created alcoholic wine He contributed to their drunkenness and caused their further inebriation

For Consideration What was the basis by which the governor pronounced Jesus’ wine the best? – By taste Methods to hinder fermentation would render some non-alcoholic wine inferior Fresh, Protropum and spiced wines were best

A Discrepancy in NIV “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” Assumes alcoholic content “Drunk freely” is correct

Does This Fit Jesus? Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. (Prov. 20:1 ASV)

Conclusion Scriptures condemn the use of alcoholic wine Ancients could and did preserve “fresh wine” Jesus did nothing contrary to scripture Christians must abstain from alcohol