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

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

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

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

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

6. “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

7. 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)

8. 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)

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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”

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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?

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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