Priest and Wine

I don't think my sharing what I had for dinner is bragging. It was a fairly simple, standard meal at our home. The point is that my wife and I had a glass of wine with dinner and I have yet to understand how that impacts or offends you in any way.

 

Thank you Sag. That makes sense to me too.

 

Really? I'm not sure I follow.

My wife dresses for church, but often what she wears is not appropriate for church. For example, she plays tennis but I don't think she would wear her tennis clothes to church. It's not immodest, it's just tennis clothes. She also wouldn't wear her (one piece) swimsuit to church either. She wears that in a pool or at the beach. Or the shorts that she wears while working in the back yard. The list goes on.

The same for me. I wear t-shirts, shorts & deck shoes a lot of the time, but doubt that I would ever wear them to church.

To me, the idea is teach our children to dress appropriately for the occasion and to dress modestly. However, we don't have to have on "church" clothes all the time.

 

I believe that is an outright lie! If you were truly offended, you would leave the thread. You are offended that everyone doesn't see the alcohol issue like you do. Get over it!

Like Ben Franklin said: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

 

You "might" be able to make you point a bit more meaningful if you addressed vs.30,

"those who "linger" over wine....

 

Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
Deu 14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

 

Sure as long as its in moderation. Not just in use but when to use it as well.

Yes, it would apply to unbelievers.

Its not about offense but causing someone else to stumble. You should not flaunt your freedom in front of someone who isn't free because of addiction. A person who is just a legalist should be dealt with gently and with respect because this probably isn't the only area of judgemental thinking for this person. He may condemn you for watching a Disney movie. Or for using electricity.

I'm not a pastor and could care less about those offended. I on the other hand care very much about those who may stumble. which is why I don't support Church sponsored events where drinking alchohol is involved.
Now I don't drink very much to begin with so I can live with our without it no big deal. However, I personally dislike legalist and can care less if I offend them because in reality invariably something I do will offend them.

It would make my very happy if you all promised me that you will stop drinking alcohol and promise to never touch it again. Care to make me happy? Or don't you care if I am happy?

 

Good point!

 

I think we have carried the idea of not offending someone way too far. Everyone is "offended" by something now days. Where do you draw the line? My goodness a brother is offended just because another brother speaks of enjoying a glass of wine with his wife in the privacy of his own home. Someone needs to grow up Please, if anything is going to offend us it should be the fact that my neighbor is going to die and go to hell not that some unseen person reports enjoying a glass of wine.

 

First of all alcoholic drinks aren't "mine". Next there are medical supports for regularly drinking wine (not in excess). Primarily its good for the heart and your blood. Excessive drinking counter actst he good aspect that wine has for the body and ends up being more negative than positive. I think drinking is a major issue for two types of people 1) those who are addicted and need to feel some sort of way. 2) people with legalistic leanings who often are just as absorbed with prohibiting certain clothing styles and dancing and mixed bathing. Otherwise its really a non issue. Everything in moderation. In my mind over drinking is like over eating or over watching tv or over anything else that should be in moderation.

 

A young friend of mine, given to malapropisms, cracked me up when he said, "I drink a little wine for municipal purposes."

 

This arrogance and legalism is starting to offend me very deeply. As I have grown in Christ, this has become less of a problem for me. I was once on your side, believe it or not, and was ready to condemn each and every person, especially Christian, who I saw drinking.

Of course, I was raised in Texas in the SBC, which is known for an illogical and unbiblical stance on alcohol (not that every member is that way). My parents are not as radical as steaver, but make their opinion known well. So I know the company line here, and it doesn't sway me one bit. But I was convicted of my legalistic and arrogant attitude toward others, and then, much to my surprise, realized that responsible consumption did nothing negative for my witness in general. Nobody cares. Non-Christians I have known are even impressed that a Christian isn't bound by silly little rules .

If I know or suspect that drinking would be a problem for someone, it's easy. I don't do it and I don't even feel like I need to bring it up. I know there are some people that struggle with alcohol addiction or have chosen not to, so I refrain out of respect for that. But someone telling me it's wrong and ungodly or unbiblical or anything else doesn't sway me one bit, because they don't have a leg to stand on.