For many years, I drank wine and beer occasionally (only a few times per year, socially) in moderation. I probably tended to be on the liberal-thinking side at my Christian College and in my church. On this debate, I always felt that Jesus’ turning water into wine was my strongest argument.

When I was in my late 30s, my consumption crept up on me very, very slowly and by surprise. As I think back, I regret not taking more seriously the people whom I thought were “legalistic”.

Most people reading this probably will think, ‘Well that’s not me. I don’t have that kind of problem.’ I never in a million years would have thought I could become an alcoholic particularly given my many years of take-it-or-leave it attitude. I know of no alcoholics in my family, although most of them are teetotalers so maybe the propensity is there and we just don’t know it. Accepting this about myself has been mind-boggling for me.

Today, I know I must flee temptation and any situation where there is drinking. Unfortunately, this includes a get together at the home of one of the men from my church this Friday. He is not serving alcohol, but people are free to bring beer or wine. I can’t socialize with people who are drinking. I would be jeopardizing my sobriety.

Alcohol has done so much damage to our society, probably in ways that did not exist 2,000+ years ago. For young men who want to become Christian leaders, it may be wisest to give up this particular pleasure.

What, really, is the benefit of putting alcohol in your body that could outweigh the potential damage to yourself or others?

Hello…Hello!…Anybody here? Ummm. Must be an echo.

With that, I am…

Peter

War = Peace
Freedom = Slavery
Ignorance = Strength

and now you’ve given us the following:
Abstinence = Freedom

What about this opening sentence of Article XVII of the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000:

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it.

On what basis does any church have the authority to bind my conscience to a position not contained in scripture?

A couple of things. First, I am not attempting to ‘debate’ anyone. For me, debate is a waste of energy and proves nothing. Debating is more about skill in either questioning or tactics than about getting at the truth.

Believe it or not, I’ve never taken up this issue before, even after pastoring 24 years. I did not run from it but it wasn’t a big deal.

My entrance into this discussion was based almost identically to the reason I entered the Calvinist vs. NonCalvinist discussion.

Two years ago Calvinists pretty much owed the block when it came to Baptist blogging. My purpose when i started SBCTomorrow was to offer a voice for NonCalvinism.

Similarly, when this alcohol issue hit the Greensboro SBC (and leading up to it), moderationists carried the day with one post after another, projecting an almost ‘in-your-face’ approach to it, belittling abstinence/abstentionism, as nothing more than legalistic, trappings of little men who wanted to poke their views down every body else’s throat.

I started addressing it biblically, ethically and historically, with one purpose in mind: offering a voice for abstentionism that looks to Scripture, moral reasoning and historical analysis as foundational, building a resource base for those who see moderationism as an inadequate moral compass by which to judge harmful drugs.

Debate you, Rick? Nah. I don’t need to debate you.

But I will bless you and trust our Lord to take care of you. Why you think I may not is the mystery of the hour.

With that, I am…

Peter

I don’t want you to think my continued silence is ‘defeat’. I wrote a fairly lengthy comment last week and it never appeared. I will not attempt to recreate that comment, but get to the point.

I am politely refusing to debate with you. Not because I believe my view is indefensible or invalid nor because I think you are a better debater, however, I am bowing out because, quite frankly, I have better things to do.

I am very sorry that you do not see this as an emotional issue. It is pretty obvious to me that with 325 comments so far, we’ve hit upon something that is striking an emotional nerve.

I am very sorry that you do not see this as a cultural bias. However, just because you call my arguments “absurd”, that does not invalidate them. Again, I am very sorry that you can’t see that.

In fact, I am sorry that I ever decided to comment on this thread.

No, I choose to not debate you. It appears that this issue is something we are not able to see “eye to eye” on. So then, I’ll let you believe the way you want, and “God bless you” for it! May God grant you your heart’s desire in your ministry! May God be glorified in everything you do! (I really mean that!) I would hope that you would be able to say the same for me.

(anti-spam word is “gentleness” )

I fear, my brother, you assume much too prematurely about my alleged “extra-biblical teachings.” If you think those who’ve presented here have demonstrated that abstentionism is somehow “extra-biblical,” I’m only wondering if you’ve taken the time to actually read the thread. Please do so and let me know what you discover.

Grace. With that, I am…

Peter

The Bible can really be annoying, can’t it?

Next thing you know some other Apostle will also be spouting off against another one of your extra-biblical teachings by saying something like:

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

With that, I am…
Paul