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What About "Alcohol Today"
Posted by Chris Johnson in Baptist Life, Bible & Theology, Church & Missions, News & Culture
While waiting expectantly for the Post Office Jeep to arrive at the end of my drive this past first Friday in June, it was quickly nearing the time for me to make good on a promise to the “Baptist Theologue” of Memphis. On another blog I had told him that I would have to hold remarks concerning the content of Peter’s much anticipated book until I had the opportunity to peruse the pages for myself; being curious of what is in the book since I have never been drunk throughout my entire life, and in a separate context…I also subscribe to abstinence from alcoholic beverages. I had the privilege of following Peter’s blog on this subject, so I thought the book might yield some additional refining of that discussion as well.
I was looking forward to learning more on this provocative subject….and I think I did.
The Book
In “Alcohol Today: Abstinence In An Age Of Indulgence”, Peter Lumpkins really did go beyond my expectations. The book, at 176 pages, was a fairly easy read, taking approximately four hours to consume (I’m an average reader) , and was stitched together using three partitions forming a distinct pattern seen written in similar accounts from the days of Augustine:
Part 1
The first part (chapters 1, 2 and 3) unveiled the passion of Peter’s life journey and family background as he shared his testimony of and intimate knowledge with the use of alcohol and its effects; not only did alcohol destroy the man he knew as his father,…but the alluring nature of the substance created a distinct void and now has created a passion of another kind in his own life. Peter also covered a brief history of how the contemporary religious world has treated the substance of alcohol, and how this course of history proved influential to the prohibition, which now continues to inform the American experience.
Part 2
The second part (chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), begins to prepare us for the thesis and defense of abstinence. The argument that the author proposes is that Alcohol Destroys. This argument is lived out in the authors mind as nothing short of a reformation. This reformation ultimately will lead to total abstinence as the biblical mandate on alcohol consumption in this present age. Part two examines the hedonistic views that are typically assigned to the consumer beverages of the current culture, which are bolstered by statistics that reinforce the argument for abstinence.
The author then turns our focus to the ways and means of a society, moreover the church, in search for realms of sobriety. The section “Think Before You Drink” and “Drink but Don’t Get Drunk” are positioned as religious hollow attempts at a moral ethic. The author dips back into the theories of Augustine for a brief moment to bring back to life the disputes once fought among the philosophical musings of how to define evil.
Chapter eight begins to point toward the main theme of “Alcohol Today”. The author takes us into the sphere of wisdom as he tightens his argument… which ultimately brings us through the doors and into a Cana Wedding feast. The theories of Land and Duke of the SBC are challenged, and a new ledge for wisdom to be posited is hewn into the moral absolute put forth by the author. This ultimately will lead us to the truth that “Abstinence” itself is God’s idea. Throughout this section of the book a pattern emerges. The pattern seen and articulated both from the New and from the Old Testaments by the author is explained as making the “moral idea of moderation difficult to entertain.”
Part 3
Part three (beginning at chapter 10 and ending at 12) allows us to apply the previous experiences and the new form of wisdom obtained from the previous chapters in order to present the biblical view of the Cana Wedding feast. The author begins with a brief yet thorough discussion of the wines presented and prepared throughout scripture. The treatment of the scriptures makes a good case to clarify a wide range of possible stages of fermentation assigned to differing names for wine throughout the biblical era. Convincing evidence is given to bolster the author’s goal of persuading his reader for an “ethic” of abstinence.
And then here we are…we have arrived in Cana some three hours later. The Wedding feast is prepared, but there is a problem. We are out of wine. The author then begins to prepare the reader for a view of Jesus, and the creative means of our Savior. Peter expands our view in this final chapter. What did Jesus truly prepare in this circumstance on this wedding day? Read the book to find out…. This is the most attractive section of the entire book in my opinion.
Theological Contrasts and Final Analysis
In my view, this book was not so much a theological “exercise”, but moreover an exercise to realize several specific spiritual gifts,.. discernment and self control. But, “Alcohol Today” does shed light on theology from a philosophical vantage point. As I mentioned earlier, Augustine was faced with a similar dilemma among his contemporaries, trying to explain evil and the reason for such,…trying desperately to connect the dots so that all might live a holier life. This book seems to yield similar aspirations.
So what do we learn from a book like “Alcohol Today”? I believe we can learn that because of Peter’s close association with the consumption of alcohol, and the evil aspirations as such…we being brothers and sisters in Christ can learn and agree that “being drunk” with wine is an unholy act before a holy God. What is also clear is that the spiritual gifts of discernment and self control can and may “joyfully” lead any believer to a life choice of abstinence,…yet even of “greater value” is that those same Spiritual gifts secure for all Christ followers, whether choosing a life of abstinence from wine or not…. it is those gifts of the Spirit that maintain a life separated from drunkenness being holy before God in Christ.
Why the contrast from a Christ follower that abstains from Alcohol? Why… because “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world”. If I did not understand the absolute nature of that truth, then I might consider some reason to try and boast about my moral ethic or the lack thereof, all while “not” being drunk. The cold hard fact that is punctuated by scripture is all of nature is decaying at the present, yet not all that occurs in nature is evil. The natural decay or fermentation of fruit should not be used as a foundation stone to build a holy ethic to “not consume” wine any more than it is should be used to build a holy ethic to “consume wine”. When Christ multiplied the bread and fish, the remaining baskets full of fish and bread decayed as usual. When Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, Lazarus died again sometime thereafter. When Christ healed the sick, they became sick again during flu season. When Christ made wine, regardless of the initial creation of it,… it fermented as usual through natural processes. It is important to recognize that decay is a non-negotiable for all humankind, and Jesus Christ consuming wine at a wedding, and with his disciples at His Last Supper, or during the many Feasts of His day, did not make Him any less holy. Being drunk would have, so therefore he never was….yet it is the life He lived that teaches us the substance of the Spirit. The holy ethic is a life “controlled” (not being drunk) by the Spirit of the life of Christ in us (being drunk in the Spirit). Jesus Christ lived among us,…stumbled, bled, wept, digested provisions and decayed just as we do, yet His holiness never changed! It is different for Him now,…and is different for those born again because of Him, and it will be different, yet again for those in Him upon His return.
At the end of the day… “Alcohol Today” is a very good book to have in your library. It contains many relevant texts in this potent discussion of how we conduct ourselves in this world,….which can introduce a life of abstinence from beverage alcohol, allowing us to consider the benefit of a sober and effective witness against a culture salivating for the next drink to dull the senses or please the peers. It leads some to consider total abstinence (like myself) as a worthy life choice….especially in this Age of Indulgence.
Blessings,
Chris
Alcohol Today: Abstinence In An Age Of Indulgence
Author: Peter Lumpkins
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Hannibal Books (June 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1934749524
ISBN-13: 978-1934749524
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Chris,
I’m in the middle of this book…and so far, it’s been excellent. Everyone should read this.
David
Chris,
Did you analyse the hermeneutics of the book? Did you feel that he adequately or solidly supported the abstentionist viewpoint from the scriptures?
Sorry, I can’t resist repeating an old joke:
–Jewish people do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
–Protestants do not recognize the Pope as their leader.
–Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store.
Brother Dave M.,
“Did you analyse the hermeneutics of the book? Did you feel that he adequately or solidly supported the abstentionist viewpoint from the scriptures?”
As I alluded to in the review,…I don’t really take the book as realistically applying a hermeneutic to where wine is the controlling subject or determinate of abstentionism. Abstaining from wine is a choice for a different reason in my opinion.
The argument of whether the “terms” that are translated into wine are depicting pure grape juice void of fermentation or to some level of fermentation while moving into abstentionism seems to be supported more from a standpoint of philosophical assumptions based upon what Jesus “would/might/should” create, not the meaning of the immediate passage. So hermeneutically, the view of wine being without or at some level of minimal fermentation does not make a foundation, nor does it demand any context in the John passage…other than, that the wine being served and the newer wine was something obviously familiar to the waiter that wasn’t aware of the miracle. It was simply great tasting wine that he experienced from the water pots, which more than likely was the fresh squeezed juice of the grape or something very young in origin with little, or only traces of fermented alcohol. That is why I like this section of Peter’s book the best. I think the book misses at “why” we are compelled to abstain….but does shed good light on the Cana Wedding and Christ’s miracle of producing wine for the wedding.
So, it appears to me that practicing a life of abstaining from alcohol holds a larger, much more potent motive than simply making sure that wine is not fermented. Focusing on fermentation as evil for instance would be to ultimately miss the context of this passage (Cana Wedding) and the power of the Holy Spirit…. where slowly but effectively (in my mind) I may begin to depend upon self and less on Christ if I view all such things as evil. In other words, the real reason to abstain comes from “to live is Christ” so that the reality for the newborn in Christ demands drunkenness is “not” an option. I would rather abstain from drunkenness, which covers a broader range of stuff…including loving my brothers and sisters in Christ.
So to answer your question….I do not think this is the way to construct an abstentionist view…because it bears no weight on the real reason to abstain.
Blessings,
Chris
Brother Volfan,
I agree,…the book was fun to read and Peter’s research is solid as usual.
Brother Patrick,
Sad, but true… Peter does address a real problem though,… alcoholic beverage consumption, peer pressure, slight buzz drinking for instant pleasure is not only dangerous, but is good at causing us not to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Peter’s young exposure to this type of lifestyle was devestating…and is something to we must avoid.
Blessings,
Chris
It may be a great book, but the Bible does not say it is a sin to consume alcohol. If it does I am open to knowing the Chapter and verse. If we are truly people of the Book how come some use it to support their positions while ignoring what the Bible so plainly says.
I am very afraid that their is an issue of pride involved for those who choose not to drink. I would not ask a fellow christian if they drank or not but for some they need to know about what others do in relationship to this issue. Why?
What about those people in the SBC that smoke?
What about the many that are obese, including far too many Pastors?
What about those that watch too much TV or the wrong programs?
I do abstain from all alcoholic beverages but I shall not be legalistic about those that choose to drink.
Personally I do not believe this book will change many people’s lives and will only be used as a way to further exclude people from service in the SBC.
I find the timing of this books release quite interesting.
Lets see right before the SBC convention.
Tom, on this one I am in the same boat you are. I do not drink and never have. But I think it takes a huge amount of exegetical creativity to force the scriptures to support the abstentionist position.
But it is a Baptist tradition that will not soon be sacrificed.
Dave Miller:
I hope I am proven wrong, but my true fear is that this issue will be used to force people out of service in the SBC.
Brothers Dave and Tom,
It seems that the conversation that abstention from fermented wine “is holier” raises its head at least once a year. I believe the confusion is centered in how some pastors isogete certain passages to meet their desire. That type of hermeneutic used to be called a liberal view of scripture,…now it is called neo-wisdom or common sense depending upon the cause.
What is confusing to many in this debate are the terms…being that a “liberal” view of the scriptures (arguing that fermented wine is evil for instance) seems to run against the thought of a “libertine” view of life (no moral restraints). So when the term “libertine” is invoked by the same people that are suggesting that fermented wine is evil…. there is a conundrum. When the biblical fact is that fermented wine is not evil, and it may lead to drunkenness with lack of self-control. That makes biblical sense in every instance.
But when someone says that “holiness” is a product of abstaining…. they always miss the reason for abstaining. In other words, we follow Christ because he first loved us. He chose us, we did not choose him. We abstain because of the life He lives in us,…we don’t become holy in our own strength. There is a biblical cause and effect that is fact. God initiates, we respond. So my choosing to abstain, or my choosing to agree with the Spirit in self-control is a gift of the Spirit of God. It’s that simple.
What we need are more professing Christians that abstain understanding that the desire to abstain oozes out of the love that Christ has made in their hearts, and we need more professing Christians that employ self-control and love for their brothers and sisters in Christ as they avoid drunkenness. The same Spirit works both of the desires stated above.
Blessings,
Chris
Chris Johnson:
What you said in comment number nine is so very true.
The problem with the abstainers is that they would make it a test of fellowship and that is wrong.
It would not suprise me if it finds its way into the newest version of the BF&M.
I could be very wrong but the SBC has much bigger issues to be concerned about besides the use of alcohol. Decline is the word that comes to mind but there will be those that say we are not declining.
The challenge for those in our fellowship who choose to partake in the drinking of alcohol is that they are viewed as lacking self-control. The logic (as poor as it is) is that if you had self-control, you wouldn’t drink in the first place.
I was visiting a church back in my hometown and the pastor was preaching about unity in the body. He said that he personally doesn’t drink alcohol because of his position and his dislike for the smell. Even still, he said that if factions grew in the church where people who drank were marginalized or excluded, he said he’d have no problem opening a beer on the platform and drinking it because he was more concerned about unity and love in the body than with issues of Christian liberty.
When I studied abroad in Spain I partook in wine with believers and with non-believers. Though I’ve drank alcohol before and believe it is a matter of Christian liberty to abstain or not, and even though I do enjoy Sidras (a Spanish fermented apple drink), I’ve decided to stop partaking because I am pursuing my calling to the ministry and I don’t want to be a stumbling block to others.
Choosing to drink or not is a matter of Christian liberty, not self-control. Avoiding intoxication and not being a stumbling block is a matter of self-control.
Brother Andrew,
You are absolutely right!….good words.
“Choosing to drink or not is a matter of Christian liberty, not self-control. Avoiding intoxication and not being a stumbling block is a matter of self-control.
One of the valid points that Peter makes in “Alcohol Today” is that mass produced alcoholic beverages are designed and manufactured to contain high percentages of alcohol for the purposes of making one intoxicated….and many, many people drink to get drunk. So, I don’t think any Christian would argue that fact,… and Peter is right for bringing up the problem with alcohol today.
Yet the other fact that can’t be ignored,… is that not all drinking of wine leads to sin or unholy living. This is where someone unskilled in teaching the truths of scripture may choose to teach error,…. where by such teaching attempts they demonstrate they are not equipped to teach the power of the Spirit filled life.
So I would go even further with your statement,…. “Choosing to drink or not is a matter of Christian liberty, where being drunk with wine is never a matter of Christian liberty”. There are also cases where it is beyond Christian liberty to partake in wine,..where your brother is led to stumble because of his lack of self-control or understanding.
What is more important? That I demand the liberty to drink …or that I have the ability and liberty to love my brother in Christ. I would hope that all Christians would choose to love their brother and sister in Christ and teach the truth …..and somewhere along the way the Christian brother that does not have or understand self-control will begin to know that consuming wine does not make you any less holy. It takes patience when you teach the truth. But make no mistake about it…there is great danger in elevating any law above Christ.
Blessings,
Chris
I went to a wedding Saturday night. Afterwards, they had the reception away from the Church. The bar was open…boy, was it open. And, I saw Church members…not mine…sucking down booze like a baby going for it’s bottle. I watched these Church members, who would probably use the moderation arguement for thier drinking, and they werent drinking moderately. They were boozing it up. I’d imagine that there were 200 people in that room, and I could count on two hands the people who were not drinking. It was sad and pathetic, and I felt sorry for these people walking around with a beer, or a glass of wine, in their hand..held prominently out as they walked around the room…as if to say,”Look at me. I’m one of you. I fit in with you. I’m drinking booze like the rest of you. I’m buzzed on alcohol like you are.” It was sad. It grieved my heart.
David
Brother David,
Most all immature Christians or non-Christians for that matter will use the excuse of moderation in order to recieve a buzz or a pat on the back from the peers.
The question is though,…how do you respond? and can it be supported by truth. I would not spend a lot of time “feeling sorry” for them…
Blessings,
Chris
Vol,
And as usual, when the smoke clears and the bar is closed, some who say they never get drunk….are.
cb
Brother cb,
I thought you might be lurking…. good to hear from you
-Chris
volfan007,
In reference to comment #13, I couldn’t think of a more judgmental way to spend time at a wedding. This is in no defense of Christians getting trashed because that is plain wrong. But first, of those 200 people, how many were Christians that you know of? Second, of those handful that didn’t drink, how many were Christians that you know of? And of those that you know who are Christians, are you willing to confront their sin of drunkeness? Or will you sit idley by, cracking remarks about how they use moderation as a key to sinning? Then your characterization of those who were there–”walked around the room…as if to say,”Look at me. I’m one of you. I fit in with you. I’m drinking booze like the rest of you. I’m buzzed on alcohol like you are.”–is no less than trying to stand in the place of God, judging the heart of a man.
Unfortunately, your comment isn’t an isolated remark. This type of “holier than thou” attitude, falsely justified with a little “grieved my heart” rhetoric is rampant.
John Piper was right when he said there will be more legalists in hell than alcoholics.
Rich,
I think that you should have given Volfan the judgment of charity before writing your post. His last words in that post are quite telling: “It was sad. It grieved my heart.” Whether or not Volfan has a holier-than-thou attitude can’t be determined from his post, or at you “trying to stand in the place of God.”
As Christians we should both be grieved and ired at sinful actions and attitudes, and doubly so if they are brothers. To see church members, whether Christians or not, partaking of alcohol in an overly-indulgent manner, should be shocking and sickening.
If you have reason to doubt the underlying attitudes and motivations of others, perhaps it would be better to make a mental note of it and learn from the percieved offense. To come out and attack the person only makes one guilty of the same percieved offense of baseless judgment.
Please understand that I have no desire to point the finger. I too am guilty of making not only baseless judgments, but of legalism and liberalism in various areas. I just ask that you try to assume the best when in doubt. I do appreciate the zeal for proper attitudes and actions in a brother though. I share that zeal.
Brother Bill,
I think Andrew has some good words for all of us. The review I did on Peter’s book certainly comes to the conclusion that wine in its natural decay does not because of the fermentation process create evil. But, depending upon the preparation of the wine and its strength …. it certainly can bring about calamity and mock those that are haughty, prideful, unwise, arrogant, etc…. and not only it, but a host of many other substances that are even more scientifically addicting, such as nicotine.
Peter brings forward some excellent points and thoughts in his work. Our society treats beverage alcohol in a cavalier and haughty fashion. The church is deceived when she does not live in the self control provided by the Holy Spirit. I think what most pastors who lean toward a prohibitionist’s stance want… is a society that is rid of the effects of cavalier and haughty living that can be spurred on by alcohol consumption…. And rightly so. But, in a zealous attempt to live out this righteousness we seem to quickly forget the real remedy….which is the power of the Holy Spirit to change the heart. The gospel of Christ is a much more effective deterrent to living out the deceit in our hearts, than some new forms of law. The problem is, most pastors find it easier and more palatable to preach the art of law-keeping and throwing down edicts than they are ready to dig deep and preach the gospel. What we need is more gospel preaching, then alcoholism and cavalier living in the church will disappear as those hearts are saturated with the truth and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Chris
Rich,
It was sad and grieved my heart. It was sad to see people…many of them my wife knew to be Church members, so that at least claimed to know Christ…boozing it up. They were partying big time. There seemed to be no moderation drinking going on…I’m sure that a few might have….but the ones I saw were drinking much. It was sad. It was pathetic. And, many of them would be the very ones using the moderation arguement about drinking alcohol.
And, they were walking around the room…holding thier “drinks” out prominently with big, drunken smiles on their faces.
I felt like leaving. But, I thought about Jesus eating with sinners and attending weddings…thus, I stayed. And, Rich, many of the drinkers wanted nothing to do with me…a preacher….they stayed clear of me…thus, I didnt have much opportunity to talk to any of them beyond a cordial, “Hi, how are you?” I did hug the necks of family members. I tried to be nice to everyone there. ANd, the music was so loud that you had to scream at the people at the same table with you in order to try to talk to someone. BTW, the music was very good. They had a jazzy, bluesy sound to them. Excellent, just too loud.
BTW, Rick, my heart would grieve if I saw people committing adultery, too….wouldnt yours?
David
Chris: Were you perhaps responding to Rich, and not to me? I participated quite a bit in the other alcohol post, but not this one, since I have not read Peter’s book.
Yes, I was Bill…sorry for the confusion.
I was pulling you into the discussion
Blessings,
Chris