What about Alcohol?

I am posting a comment from another thread regarding alcohol and the Christian. I want to hear what all of you have to say on this hot button issue. Sky Parker wrote:

Alcohol consumption... definition of moderation? Should we consume alcohol at all? If so, what moderation is acceptable? What does the Bible say? We know drunkenness is a sin. I pulled the following text out of an online story:

"Church belief concerning alcohol consumption includes three classic positions: abstention, moderation and prohibition. Prohibitionists believe the Bible forbids any alcohol consumption since it is thought to be inherently evil; therefore, any consumption would be immoral.

There is logical inconsistency within this view because whenever wine is referenced negatively in the Bible it is always fermented; however, when it is a positive reference, or consumed by Jesus Christ and the apostles, it is always unfermented. Prohibitionists (almost always) use ad hoc arguments, and distort the testimony of the Bible and antiquity.

Abstentionists believe the Bible does not specifically forbid alcohol consumption, but abstain for the sake of prudence. Certainly some in the church abstain for personal reasons, but it cannot be said such practice is demanded in the Bible.

A common abstentionist myth is regarding the production of wine in the ancient world. One example is the claim that grape juice was often boiled until the liquid evaporated to prevent fermentation. Any grape juice that fermented was always diluted from three parts water to one part wine, or even 20 parts water to one part wine, which would make the alcoholic content negligible. Therefore, wine today is not the same as wine in biblical times.

The truth is some of the wines were stronger in alcoholic content than those today and were best consumed diluted with water. Not only does the abstentionist position distort the historical and linguistic scholarship, but also - and most importantly - the sufficiency of the Bible for faith and practice since it is the extra-biblical conviction of the abstentionist that is authoritative. It is curious that the Bible never makes a distinction between so-called "safe/non-sinful" diluted wines and so-called "unsafe/sinful" undiluted wines, especially when the only biblical reference to diluted wine (viz. by the prophet Isaiah) is a condemnation.

Moderationists believe alcohol consumption is acceptable before God if consumed prudently and moderately. Alcoholic beverages can be and are abused, just as any other good gift from God can be and are abused. Since Satan cannot counterfeit God's good gifts, he will encourage abuse and so seek curse upon it.

However, the command of the Bible is moderation if alcohol is consumed. The church must not belittle the moral responsibility for personal sin by holding something external responsible. Alcoholic consumption may occur in faith and according to the directives of the law of Christ. The matter of alcohol consumption within the limitations of the Bible is simply a matter of discretion and personal taste.

Prior to the 1800s, there was nearly universal agreement by every denomination of orthodox Christianity regarding the moderate consumption of alcohol for health and pleasure. Condemnation of the moderationist position is maintained through the capricious rejection of centuries of church history - and most importantly, the assertions of the Bible - by granting priority instead for an ascetic fundamentalism that is deemed a greater standard of holiness and prudence than the Bible.

The plain teaching of the Bible concerning the moderate consumption of alcohol should promote church integrity and unity rather than spirited disagreement that is often manifested in contention and strife among the body of Christ.

The church's unity in belief and practice must be based upon the Bible solely. To demand abstinence and prohibit moderate alcohol consumption as a matter of faithfulness to God not only conflicts with the biblical and historical record, but also would be indictments upon Old Testament saints, the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles and unanimity of 1,800 years of church history.

The prohibitionist position that all alcoholic beverages are inherently evil, and that any use is therefore sinful, pronounces a curse upon God's blessing, and regards God's blessing in this matter to be a curse.

The abstentionist position often neglects biblical teaching of maturity and personal responsibility in regard to matters of church liberty. The Bible consistently condemns drunkenness (alcohol abuse) as sin, but never condemns use of alcohol (medicinally or moderately) as evil.

Scripture declares wine specifically is a good gift from God. The Bible and the entire Christian tradition have sternly condemned the sin of drunkenness - as should the church not only in Effingham, but also anywhere in the world.

As a component of God's creation, alcoholic beverages are something that may be enjoyed to the glory of God in moderation for both health and pleasure and with a thankful heart.

Ron J. Bigalke Jr. (M.Apol., M.Div., M.T.S., Ph.D.) is an author, lecturer and pastor. He is director of Eternal Ministries Inc. based in Rincon."

I personally like to enjoy a dark, red, non-fruity glass of wine with dinner occasionally or a dark, oatmeal stout with a burger "in moderation for both health and pleasure and with a thankful heart"

What do you think?