Home Brewing Beer & Christianity: Part 4

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-63806307374371046722008-04-25T11:32:00.000-07:002008-05-01T14:54:21.090-07:00Home Brewing Beer & Christianity: Part 4Welcome to Part 4 of Home Brewing Beer & Christianity... In the previous three installments, we discussed a number of alcohol related facts straight from the Bible, relating them to home brewing and beer consumption for people of the Christian faith, and even those that are not... <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-1.html">In Part 1 we made these points:</a> <ul><li>Jesus made Wine, really good wine! (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%203:5-6;&version=31;">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>) So, how could making beer be so bad? In my opinion, it's not, as long as you don't use the beer for sinful purposes. </li><li>Getting drunk is a sin and often leads to more sin. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-10;&version=31;">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a>) Drink in moderation for physical and spiritual health. Keep in mind, this also allows for better beer enjoyment. Think quality, not quantity. </li></ul><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-2.html">In Part 2 we made these points:</a> <ul><li>Tempting your friends who lack self-control is not a good thing, so don’t do it… (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014:21-22;&version=31;">Romans 14:21-22</a>) While the Bible does not forbid alcohol consumption, it does tell us not to tempt those around us that may be easily corrupted. </li><li>Christians should not cause other Christians to falter... (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%208:9-13;&version=31;">1 Corinthians 8:9-13</a>) If a fellow Christian does not approve of your home brewing or beer consumption, don’t rub it in their face, save the beer for later. More importantly, if a fellow Christian has previously struggled with addiction, or believes drinking will lead them to further sin, don’t encourage them to drink. </li></ul>These last two points are good guidelines for Christians and non-Christians alike, good life advice that we all could benefit from. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-3.html">In Part 3 we made this point:</a> <ul><li>God made food & drink as a gift for us to enjoy. (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms%20104:14-15&version=31">Psalms 104:14-15</a> & <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%209:7;&version=31;">Ecclesiastes 9:7</a>) God gave us the ability to make beverages that "gladdens the heart" and the Bible instructs his people to drink "with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos%209:14;&version=31;">Amos 9:14</a>) God willed his people to "plant vineyards and drink their wine," perhaps a case for starting your own hop garden! </li></ul>In my opinion, the Bible indicates the joy of producing and enjoying your own wine, and I think that logic can easily and soundly be applied to beer as well. The ability to make and enjoy a tasty beverage is a gift from God, one that Jesus himself took part in... BIBLICAL FACT: Jesus drank and was criticized for it... <blockquote>"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2011:19;&version=31;">Matthew 11:19</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2011:19;&version=31;"></a> We already know that Jesus made wine, but as indicated above, he also drank. Jesus was a man of the people, he ate, drank and fellowshipped with people from all walks of life. How else would he have gotten his message out to the world if he did not dwell within it? Sadly he was wrongly criticized for this, just as some of us that drink and keep the faith are today. If you consider drinking, making alcohol, and hanging out with so called 'unsavory types' sinful, what does your logic say about Jesus? Something we should keep in mind before we condemn people who enjoy "adult beverages" responsibly and who dwell within the greater community. BIBLICAL FACT: We know Jesus had a farewell drink with his disciples at the last supper… <blockquote>“Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:27-29;&version=31;">Matthew 26:27-29</a></blockquote> Obviously, in this case, the wine was symbolic of Jesus’ sacrifice for all of us, and not just a meaningless toast. But it was, in a manner of speaking, the ultimate toast. Not only did Jesus drink and toast in honor of his sacrifice for us, but he also promised to toast with us again, one day, in heaven. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it? That's one party I'll be damned if I'm going to miss, literally... BIBLICAL FACT: There's going to be a great party in Heaven, and there will be "adult beverages" available... <blockquote>"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is%2025:6-9;&version=31;">Isaiah 25:6-9</a> </blockquote> Good food and drink is the least of the good news in the scriptures above, but it's all good news in my book. A great party, the end of death and suffering and no more sadness. We know there will be the "finest wines" at this feast, hopefully there's some good beer too. Either way, I hope I see you all there for the big party! Final Thoughts… To the best of my knowledge, the Bible does not forbid Christians from drinking or making beer, wine, or any other drink. Alcohol, like food, is actually a gift from God, and should be enjoyed responsibly in moderation. The ability to grow the necessary ingredients , and then turn them into fine beverages is also a gift from God. So, from what I can tell, home brewing and then enjoying the fruits of your labor is a good thing! That being said, drunkenness and addiction are sins, and should be avoided, and we must be careful not to corrupt those around us. If you can not handle alcohol responsibly, as God intended, it’s best to avoid it. I’m open to discussing this topic with anyone. I enjoy making and drinking beer, but my faith is much more important to me. If I have misinterpreted the scriptures, please let me know. I’m open to learning more, and want my ways to be proper. Let me know what you think… In case you missed them, here are <a href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-2.html">Part 2</a>, and <a href="http://blog.homebrewbeer.net/2008/04/home-brewing-beer-christianity-part-3.html">Part 3</a>.. Here are some other interesting sites... <ul><li><a href="http://www.eriv.net/ministries/riverbrew/">Monday Night Brewery </a>(Christian brewers and bloggers)</li><li><a href="http://www.eriv.net/ministries/riverbrew/">RiverBrew</a> (Home brewing ministry)</li><li><a href="http://wooga.drbacchus.com/bible/alcohol.html">Daniel Whitfield</a> (Alcohol and the Bible)</li><li><a href="http://www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary/2005/09/alcohol_abstent.html">Alcohol, Abstention and Redemption</a></li><li>Beer Philosopher: <a href="http://beerphilosopher.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-baptist-beer-bashing.html">Link 1</a> & <a href="http://beerphilosopher.blogspot.com/2007/12/beer-driven-church.html">Link 2</a> </li></ul>Do you have other related links? Please post a comment and I'll add them to the post. I look forward to your feedback, please post a comment, lets discuss! Cheers and God Bless!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" height="60" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=homebrewbeern-20&o=1&p=13&l=st1&mode=universal&search=homebrew%2C%20beer%2C%20brewing%2C%20home%20brew%2C&fc1=604020&lt1=_blank&lc1=B84C20&bg1=F0ECE0&f=ifr" style="border:none;" scrolling="no" width="468"></iframe></div>Bryonnoreply@blogger.com