““And do not be And do not be conformed to conformed to this world, but this world, but be transformed be transformed by the renewing by the renewing of your mind…”of your mind…”

Romans 12:1-2

Renewing Our Mind on Renewing Our Mind on Social DrinkingSocial Drinking

Jesus turned water into wine(John 2:1-11)

Difficult passages sometimes used to cover sinful practices

2 Pet. 3:16 “twist the scriptures”All agree: Jesus turned water to

“wine”What does Bible say about “wine?”

Accurate Definition of Accurate Definition of WineWine

“Wine” is Generic word (covering all stages of juice of the grape)Like “groceries” (all kinds)Like “cars” (all kinds)

“Wine” is either alcoholic or non-alcoholic (only 2 choices)

Which did Jesus produce?

““Wine” Can Be Either Wine” Can Be Either MeaningMeaning

“Oinos” is the general word for wine (Vine, p. 219)

“Oinos” (NT) translates 3 Hebrew words (Thayer)yayin, tiyrosh, shekarIsa. 65:8 “grape in cluster” (tiyrosh)

Mt. 9:17 New wine into fermented“Oinos” includes alcohol-free wine

““Wine” Can Be Either Wine” Can Be Either MeaningMeaning

Josephus, a first-century writer, used the Greek word "wine" to refer to the fresh juice taken from the grapes, a non-intoxicating drink.Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book II, Chapter V, paragraph 2, tells "What Things Befell Joseph in Prison." Josephus says concerning the king's cupbearer, "He therefore said that in his sleep in saw three clusters of grapes hanging upon three branches of a vine, large already, and ripe for gathering; and that he squeezed them into a cup which the king held in his hand; and when he had strained the wine, he gave it to the king to drink, and that he received it from him with a pleasant countenance."

Assumption Often Made

““Wine” only means alcoholicWine” only means alcoholic

If so, need to be consistentIf so, need to be consistentJesus created alcoholic drinkJesus created alcoholic drink

Gave to all to drink in social areaGave to all to drink in social area

Nothing wrong with it at allNothing wrong with it at all

We can brew it, consume it, have We can brew it, consume it, have guests drink (if not-why not?)guests drink (if not-why not?)

Context Determines Context Determines MeaningMeaning

““New Birth” New Birth” Jn. 3:5Jn. 3:5; ; Rom. 6:1-7Rom. 6:1-7

Let Bible determine contextLet Bible determine context

Is there anything about character Is there anything about character and teaching of Jesus that would and teaching of Jesus that would suggest incongruity of drinking suggest incongruity of drinking alcohol? Accurately portray alcohol? Accurately portray Jesus?Jesus?

What is the context of Jesus/wine?What is the context of Jesus/wine?

Establish Context

Jesus and Holy Spirit Jn. 14:26; 16:132 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture inspiredProv. 20:1; 23:29-35 H.S. in OTJesus greater than Solomon Mt 12:42 Would Jesus contradict H.S.? Is His wisdom less than Solomon’s?

Context of Jesus, Wine

Jesus and Holy Spirit Jn. 14:26; 16:13

2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture inspired

Hab. 2:15 HS in OT “shame on his glory”

Did Jesus act to bring shame on his glory?

Context of Jesus, WineJesus and His character

Heb. 4:15 Jesus was “without sin”

Is alcohol consumption without sin? Even without Bible….

1 Thes 5:22 abstain from “every form of evil”

Is alcohol industry without sin?

“But what about….?”

1 Tim. 3:3, 8 Elders, deacons, & wine? Does “not given to much wine”

allow some use?Compare: 2 Pet 2:14 Does “eyes

full of adultery” allow some use?

“given to wine” = wine-bibbing An elder is not to be guilty of

this

“But what about….?”

The Lord’s Supper

“Wine” never used with LS“Fruit of the Vine” Mt. 26:29Passover Feast Wine was usedMt. 26:17 “unleavened bread”

All yeast removed - yeast is fermenting factor - not allowed

“But what about….?”

Medicinal purposes?

1 Tim. 5:23 “a little wine”No objection in this context

Bad waterWeak wine, not distilled liquor

Excuse or medical reason?

Is It Fair?Solomon “Do not look on the wine

when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper”

Jesus “turned water into best wine” (It’s OK to drink alcohol)

Is scripture being twisted?

Tragedy of Alcohol & Drugs:

Weighing the Human Element•John Belushi (heroin & cocaine)•River Phoenix (heroin & cocaine)•Kurt Cobain (heroin)•Janis Joplin (heroin)•Sid Vicious (heroin)•John Bonham, Led Zeppelin (alcohol)•Andy Gibb (cocaine)•Keith Whitley (alcohol)

•Jimi Hendrix (OD on sleeping pills)•Chris Farley (cocaine & heroin)•Jim Morrison, The Doors (drown due to OD)•Hank Williams (alcohol)•Anna Nichol Smith (prescription drugs)•John & McKenzie Phillips (Father / Daughter rehab)