4.04.2005

and the base things of the world

Judges13 brings up the issue of alcohol and the believer. On one hand, you have this describing the wedding in Cana and the Matthew statement about eating and drinking. On the other hand, you have this and the zealous defense of grape juice.

This really isn't about alcohol.

The attitude with fundamentalists is this: everything that appears remotely sinful cannot be associated with Jesus in any way, shape, or form, else He is somehow compromised. Alcoholism and all its ills have been for centuries considered sinful -- thus, the rationalization for all things grape. Whether or not fermentation occurred is immaterial to this discussion.

I don't mind the defense of consistency, and I still believe in the perfect life. It troubles me that believers who think that God can create the universe with a word can be compromised with a sip of wine. Remember, lust is a corruption of love, and envy a corruption of jealousy. Drunkenness is certainly a corruption of winedrinking. The root of sin is not the object, but the sinner's heart.

Do not lose sight of the root.

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