I think the "theological geniuses" are the ones who have studied this topic from Scritpure without a denominational bend. I would suggest you do the same.
:rolleyes:
These strawmen are almost worthless to respond to. One can make excellent arguments for not driving cars, not eating fatty foods, not running with scissors, etc without ever opening the Bible. No point made whatsoever...
Whenever you get the opprotunity you should witness. Does this argument still stand in regards to drinking coffee? Eating food? Taking your meds?
from Inernational Standard Bible Encyclopedia:
In a few passages, the Greek verb nepho and its derivative adjective nephalios are used in the same sense. The word originally had a physical meaning, as opposed to drunkenness, and is thus used in 1Th 5:6,8, as the foundation of the deeper meaning. Used metaphorically also in the Pastoral Epistles and 1 Peter, as sometimes in the classics, for "cool," "unimpassioned." Ellicott, on 1Ti 3:2,11, distinguishes between the two words by regarding sophron "as pointing to the outward exhibition of the inward virtue" implied in nephalios.
Do you really want a competative theological contest?
These are not strawmen.
The strawmen are comparing alcohol to drinking coffee, eating food, driving cars and taking meds (if one does).
I assure you there is no denominational bent here.
I grew up in a conservative presbyterian church and was brought up to believe in moderation.
My opinions were molded by the Holy Spirit.
Kind of presumptious of you to claim your opinions were molded by the Holy Spirit and mine aren't. I was raised just the opposite: alcohol was the devil's juice! It wasn't until after reading Scirpture about alcohol without these presuppositions did I see that there is no way in the world alcohol is condemned. Do you know how many times alcohol is mentioned in Scripture?
So will the Methodist, Episcopal, Christian, Catholic, and Lutheran. Put them all together and they also believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.
Looks as if most of Christendom realizes it is OK to drink, if they don't make it a habit to get drunk.