Priest and Wine

I think so, but am not prepared to debate the issue. 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7, as presented in the KJV, say "not given to wine," or words to that effect. If the KJV is correct, notwithstanding all the other translations saying something like "not addicted to wine", then it is not OK for a pastor to drink alcoholic beverages. However, like I said, the KJV appears to be alone in this position.

This is a moot question because unbelievers are not bound by scripture. They are going to Hell anyway so there is no reason for them to concern themselves with the fine points of scripture.

No. If you came to my house I would refrain from serving wine because I am aware of your sensibilities.

No. See answer to Q3 above. By the way, Steaver, this question is a lot like the one about "Have you stopped beating your wife?".

Not that much. :smilewinkgrin: If you were my wife, or even my mother, I might consider it but you're not, so I won't.

 

Christ and His apostles do not appear to have abstained from the use of wine. The weaker brother principle is too often used to prevent Christians from exercising genuine Christian liberty.

When I first entered the ministry, I was not willing to buy IBC Root Beer, because I was afraid I might cause some brother to stumble by purchasing and drinking beer. This put me in an unnecessary and utterly ridiculous state of bondage.

 

The best rule is, drink but don't get drunk. It is a sin to get drunk.

 

There is no command either way and to suggest there is to pervert the scriptures.

 

Zenas the kjv rendering of Timothy and Titus and means the same as modern translations, just using different phrasing.
Steaver, you act like those "defending alcohol" are drunks defending a habit. I an defending Christ. You attack His actions with your words. The bible is clear. you can't make something a sin just because you want to.
To recap the Bible for you
-wine is good...a gift.
-drunkeness is an abuse of that gift and a sin.
seems pretty clear.

 

If there is nothing wrong or undesirable about drinking alcohol, how can it make someone stumble? My definition of stumble is to sin. How does doing something perfectly innocent and good make someone sin?

I've never seen anything good come from drinking alcohol.

 

Read Romans 14...the entire chapter. Paul explains it well.

 

So I shouldn't use the internet around certain people?

What good have you seen come from the use of alcohol? I have seen alcoholics, drunks, drunk drivers, wasted money...(in my own family). I have been drunk myself in my (much) younger days, and I didn't know it until it was too late.



Isn't the reason you won't drink now because you are afraid you might cause young people who you minister to to stumble? You know that the stumbling they might do is get drunk, drive drunk or get dependent on the alcohol right?

 

Q1. Yes.

Q2. Brothers (and sisters) in Christ.

Q3. Not sure how my drinking alcohol is a stumbling block for you. Normally, if I'm invited to someone's home for dinner, I will bring a bottle of wine. (Last time, I made sangria and it was delish!) However, if I'm invited to someone's home and I know that they do not drink, I will bring something else, perhaps dessert. While it's not a stumbling block to them (at least to those I have in my mind), it's just plain courteous to bring something else.

Q4. This is a non-issue in my congregation.