Beer and Bible Study?

[brianb]

I see no purpose in drinking beer or any alcoholic beverages.  What is the purpose of it?  Is it needed?  Does it taste good?  Too each his own.  Some people like chewing tobacco.

I've not said it here before but since you mentioned chewing I'll tell ya all what I told my kids: "You don't drink smoke or chew and you don't date the fools that do". I'm glad they listened to at least one thing I said  ...........


And just to clarify something to some folk here, Alcohol as destroyed more lives, caused more abuse and broken more families then any other substance or thing known to man since the beginning of man.

Maybe more than any other substance, but the love of self, money, sex, and power has destroyed countless more lives and families than alcohol.  Love of sex and self kills about one million people per year (abortion) in this country.  Love of power killed way over 100 million people in this century alone, and that's not counting all the abortions in China due to the one child policy. 

Alcohol, even if it were the most evil substance on earth (it's not - it's a blessing in the right hands), doesn't even deserve to be listed along with these other things.

"How big is the problem?
In 2009, 10,839 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (32%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.1
Of the 1,314 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2009, 181 (14%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.1
Of the 181 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2009, about half (92) were riding in the vehicle with the with the alcohol-impaired driver.1
In 2009, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.3 That's less than one percent of the 147 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.4
Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol.5"

-http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

yes, blessed be the drink that makes merry and kills!

Those stats are nothing compared to stats in Europe. In the UK it's much worse and
Eastern Europe like Russia it's horrific. Of course the increasing Muslim population in Europe will eventually lower those stats as the non-Muslim population decreases because as you know Muslims don't drink - at least not true Muslims - true Muslims are the largest religious group that doesn't drink. Catholics of course teach moderate drinking but they still have a high percentage of alcoholics. There is just something about some religions that makes people want to drink. I noticed this when I heard about the situation with the German-speaking communal Mennonites in Mexico - in the community there is a high percentage of people who are alcoholics and drug addicts - people are enslaved to this false "works" condemning "gospel" (if one can even call it a gospel) religion and only by God's grace do people get out of it. Because people are miserable and don't have the courage to get out (lest they be shunned) they turn to substance (alcohol, drugs like cocaine) to get by. Btw, they are also not allowed to read the Bible or have Bible study groups - it's like the Catholic Church during the Reformation period.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I see no purpose in drinking beer or any alcoholic beverages.  What is the purpose of it?  Is it needed?  Does it taste good?  Too each his own.  Some people like chewing tobacco.

I've not said it here before but since you mentioned chewing I'll tell ya all what I told my kids: "You don't drink smoke or chew and you don't date the fools that do". I'm glad they listened to at least one thing I said  ...........


And just to clarify something to some folk here, Alcohol as destroyed more lives, caused more abuse and broken more families then any other substance or thing known to man since the beginning of man.

Maybe more than any other substance, but the love of self, money, sex, and power has destroyed countless more lives and families than alcohol.  Love of sex and self kills about one million people per year (abortion) in this country.  Love of power killed way over 100 million people in this century alone, and that's not counting all the abortions in China due to the one child policy. 

Alcohol, even if it were the most evil substance on earth (it's not - it's a blessing in the right hands), doesn't even deserve to be listed along with these other things.

You are correct.
However, churches don't have love of sex and self Bible studies flaunting such love.
Neither do we have Bible studies that encourage those who love power to have like minded fellowship.

 

[Castor Muscular]

I see no purpose in drinking beer or any alcoholic beverages.  What is the purpose of it?  Is it needed?  Does it taste good?  Too each his own.  Some people like chewing tobacco.

I've not said it here before but since you mentioned chewing I'll tell ya all what I told my kids: "You don't drink smoke or chew and you don't date the fools that do". I'm glad they listened to at least one thing I said  ...........


And just to clarify something to some folk here, Alcohol as destroyed more lives, caused more abuse and broken more families then any other substance or thing known to man since the beginning of man.

Maybe more than any other substance, but the love of self, money, sex, and power has destroyed countless more lives and families than alcohol.  Love of sex and self kills about one million people per year (abortion) in this country.  Love of power killed way over 100 million people in this century alone, and that's not counting all the abortions in China due to the one child policy. 

Alcohol, even if it were the most evil substance on earth (it's not - it's a blessing in the right hands), doesn't even deserve to be listed along with these other things.

You are correct.
However, churches don't have love of sex and self Bible studies flaunting such love.
Neither do we have Bible studies that encourage those who love power to have like minded fellowship.

Churches have singles Bible studies.  You think there's no sexual attraction at those?  Churches have leadership meetings.  You think there's no power struggles at those?  And that's okay. It's the ABUSE of sex and power that's a problem.  Just like it's the ABUSE of alcohol that's the problem. 

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I see no purpose in drinking beer or any alcoholic beverages.  What is the purpose of it?  Is it needed?  Does it taste good?  Too each his own.  Some people like chewing tobacco.

I've not said it here before but since you mentioned chewing I'll tell ya all what I told my kids: "You don't drink smoke or chew and you don't date the fools that do". I'm glad they listened to at least one thing I said  ...........


And just to clarify something to some folk here, Alcohol as destroyed more lives, caused more abuse and broken more families then any other substance or thing known to man since the beginning of man.

Maybe more than any other substance, but the love of self, money, sex, and power has destroyed countless more lives and families than alcohol.  Love of sex and self kills about one million people per year (abortion) in this country.  Love of power killed way over 100 million people in this century alone, and that's not counting all the abortions in China due to the one child policy. 

Alcohol, even if it were the most evil substance on earth (it's not - it's a blessing in the right hands), doesn't even deserve to be listed along with these other things.

You are correct.
However, churches don't have love of sex and self Bible studies flaunting such love.
Neither do we have Bible studies that encourage those who love power to have like minded fellowship.

Churches have singles Bible studies.  You think there's no sexual attraction at those?  Churches have leadership meetings.  You think there's no power struggles at those?  And that's okay. It's the ABUSE of sex and power that's a problem.  Just like it's the ABUSE of alcohol that's the problem.

You missed the point, perhaps you ignored the point, but...
Churches don't have indulge in sex studies for singles.
They don't have revel in your power fellowship suppers.

Some do have (as to the OP's point) belly up to the bar beer bash Bible studies....note the alliteration. 

 

[Izdaari]

Some do have (as to the OP's point) belly up to the bar beer bash Bible studies....note the alliteration. 

My church has them. We call them "Theology Pub". But they aren't "belly up to the bar beer bashes". Rather, we're sitting at a table studying Bible or discussing theological questions, while eating and drinking good food and good craft-brewed beer. There's camaraderie and good cheer, but not a party atmosphere and not drunkenness. I imagine it's much like Martin Luther and friends used to do, back when the whole Protestant thing got started.

Of course, we're Anglicans and Lutherans, not Baptists, so our traditions are a little different. 

 

[wheatpenny]

A couple years ago my wife and I went to a Halloween party at an Episcopal church that had beer and wine. I thought it was kind of funny, having alcoholic drinks in a church.

 

[OZZY]

http://www.gty.org/resources/blog/B110809

John MacArthur on the alcohol relevant church culture.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and this Bud's for you......

Wino's for Christ lol !!!!unreal how far modern Christianty has strayed , funny yet very sad.

 

[Aviator]

Those demanding total alcohol abstinence are often those with a significant lack of self-control in some (or many) areas of their own lives, and so they can not understand how someone could drink alcohol moderately or responsibly.

 

[jimmudcatgrant]

Those demanding total alcohol abstinence are often those with a significant lack of self-control in some (or many) areas of their own lives, and so they can not understand how someone could drink alcohol moderately or responsibly.

Maybe. But I would say we all have besetting sins.  If we say we don't, then we are only fooling ourself. But those who arrogantly brag about being able to drink moderately and responsibly may some day find that their attitidude has led someone weaker than they to a life of heartache and sin.  Just saying, don't be so arrogant.  You may find out one day you aren't as self-controlled as you think.  I pray that may not be so, however, so don't think I am wishing that on you.  I have seen both sides of the spectrum.  No, drinking alcohol doesn't send you to hell.  To that I will agree.  I don't drink.  If I did, I would do it with like company, and would not do it if I knew someone who had a problem with it was in my company. On the converse, I would not attend a bible study of which I knew there would be alcohol served. That is just me.  Each has to make their own decision, just like with other things.

 

[Castor Muscular]

They served Pina Coladas (with rum) at my Monday Night bible study once.  Only a few people had some, and it didn't affect our study in any way (except when the leader put the lamp shade on his head and danced on the coffee table).  Seriously, nobody had enough to interfere with the study, and nobody criticized having it.  I guess we're all mature adults at that Bible study.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

They served Pina Coladas (with rum) at my Monday Night bible study once.  Only a few people had some, and it didn't affect our study in any way (except when the leader put the lamp shade on his head and danced on the coffee table).  Seriously, nobody had enough to interfere with the study, and nobody criticized having it.  I guess we're all mature adults at that Bible study.

We served Coke at our Celebrate Recovery meeting Monday night and nobody criticized us for having it either. Some of them were mature adults...

 

[Miller]

Those demanding total alcohol abstinence are often those with a significant lack of self-control in some (or many) areas of their own lives, and so they can not understand how someone could drink alcohol moderately or responsibly.

Maybe. But I would say we all have besetting sins.  If we say we don't, then we are only fooling ourself. But those who arrogantly brag about being able to drink moderately and responsibly may some day find that their attitidude has led someone weaker than they to a life of heartache and sin.  Just saying, don't be so arrogant.  You may find out one day you aren't as self-controlled as you think.  I pray that may not be so, however, so don't think I am wishing that on you.  I have seen both sides of the spectrum.  No, drinking alcohol doesn't send you to hell.  To that I will agree.  I don't drink.  If I did, I would do it with like company, and would not do it if I knew someone who had a problem with it was in my company. On the converse, I would not attend a bible study of which I knew there would be alcohol served. That is just me.  Each has to make their own decision, just like with other things.

I agree with both statements. I never mention that I drink occasionally to those who I know will have a problem with it, unless they bring it up first. My thoughts are that if you are opposed to all uses of alcohol and then you bring it up in conversation, then you are inviting me to express my views on what the Bible says about this subject. I make it a point to never drink in front of those who are bothered by it.

 

[Castor Muscular]

They served Pina Coladas (with rum) at my Monday Night bible study once.  Only a few people had some, and it didn't affect our study in any way (except when the leader put the lamp shade on his head and danced on the coffee table).  Seriously, nobody had enough to interfere with the study, and nobody criticized having it.  I guess we're all mature adults at that Bible study.

We served Coke at our Celebrate Recovery meeting Monday night and nobody criticized us for having it either. Some of them were mature adults...

Each to his own.  I won't criticize yours if you don't criticize mine.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

They served Pina Coladas (with rum) at my Monday Night bible study once.  Only a few people had some, and it didn't affect our study in any way (except when the leader put the lamp shade on his head and danced on the coffee table).  Seriously, nobody had enough to interfere with the study, and nobody criticized having it.  I guess we're all mature adults at that Bible study.

We served Coke at our Celebrate Recovery meeting Monday night and nobody criticized us for having it either. Some of them were mature adults...

Each to his own.  I won't criticize yours if you don't criticize mine.

I certainly wouldn't criticize you for something Scripture allows you to do....
I would submit, that if you'll read the article referenced in the OP, you'll find it is critical of those who flaunt the use of alcohol to the point of almost ridiculing those who dare to abstain.

 

[Aviator]

Maybe. But I would say we all have besetting sins.  If we say we don't, then we are only fooling ourself. But those who arrogantly brag about being able to drink moderately and responsibly may some day find that their attitidude has led someone weaker than they to a life of heartache and sin.  Just saying, don't be so arrogant.  You may find out one day you aren't as self-controlled as you think.  I pray that may not be so, however, so don't think I am wishing that on you.  I have seen both sides of the spectrum.  No, drinking alcohol doesn't send you to hell.  To that I will agree.  I don't drink.  If I did, I would do it with like company, and would not do it if I knew someone who had a problem with it was in my company. On the converse, I would not attend a bible study of which I knew there would be alcohol served. That is just me.  Each has to make their own decision, just like with other things.

I don't disagree with you.  I have a complete lack of self-control when it comes to White Cheddar Cheez-its or with my wife's homemade banana pudding.

 

[Recovering IFB]

Drink up drink up for Jesus
You wino's of the cross
Lift high you Crown Royal
No matter what the cost.
Ye that are drunk now praise him
From beer joint to beer joint
Happy hour is what we need
Till every bottle is empty
And we are drunk in deed

Can you explain Deut. 14:26 or Is 55:1 to me then?

 

[OZZY]

Drink up drink up for Jesus
You wino's of the cross
Lift high you Crown Royal
No matter what the cost.
Ye that are drunk now praise him
From beer joint to beer joint
Happy hour is what we need
Till every bottle is empty
And we are drunk in deed

.
Can you explain Deut. 14:26 or Is 55:1 to me then?

Since you rare still in the recovering stage I'll wait to have fully recovered before I try to explain scripture to you

 

[Recovering IFB]

I think I can handle it......

 

[Castor Muscular]

I certainly wouldn't criticize you for something Scripture allows you to do....
I would submit, that if you'll read the article referenced in the OP, you'll find it is critical of those who flaunt the use of alcohol to the point of almost ridiculing those who dare to abstain.

Generally, I only ridicule those (and there are plenty) who think that if you aren't abstaining then you must be out bar-hopping and getting drunk. 

 

[Recovering IFB]

I certainly wouldn't criticize you for something Scripture allows you to do....
I would submit, that if you'll read the article referenced in the OP, you'll find it is critical of those who flaunt the use of alcohol to the point of almost ridiculing those who dare to abstain.

Generally, I only ridicule those (and there are plenty) who think that if you aren't abstaining then you must be out bar-hopping and getting drunk.

Which is why I quoted Ozzy's poem... mocking that which God has allowed and blessed.