Patterson Throws His Hat into the Ring
Not to beat a dead horse, but since people are still debating this alcohol issue, check out what Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson says on this issue here.
Among the highlights:
"At this point, however, a significant difference exists between what is permissible and what is best for the child of God. In addition to the constant clear identification of drunkenness as a highly disreputable and debilitating sort of sin, please note the following:
-- The Nazarite (one who was especially separated unto God) was prohibited from the use of wine altogether (see Numbers 6:3; Judges 13:4-7, 13-14).
-- In Jeremiah 35:1-10, the Rechabites are highly commended by God and by Jeremiah for their total abstinence.
-- John the Baptist, touted by Jesus as 'the greatest born among men,' was a total abstainer. He was evidently patterning his lifestyle after that of the Nazarite Law, and thereby expressing God's prescription for what is the best for a godly man. In fact, the angelic announcement to Zacharias prohibited John the Baptist from using any wine (Luke 1:15). Here also is noted the first specific contrast between the fullness of the Spirit and the use of wine. This contrast occurs again at Pentecost in Acts 2, and again in Ephesians 5:18.
In the three instances outlined above, the very significant question 'why' must be broached. Apparently of the three categories given -- prohibition, acceptability and God's ideal -- the above situations fall under the ideal of complete abstinence, and hence appear to be most acceptable to God."
posted by Charlie Wallace at
10:00 PM
6 Comments:
"John the Baptist, touted by Jesus as 'the greatest born among men,' was a total abstainer. He was evidently patterning his lifestyle after that of the Nazarite Law, and thereby expressing God's prescription for what is the best for a godly man."
I'm not too comfortable with telling Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, that he himself failed to obey 'God's prescription for what is the best for a godly man.'
Drew,
Interesting objection. I was thinking about that and I wonder if there is an instance where, biblically, we have evidence that Jesus drank wine? Maybe there is and I just cannot think of the instance. Obviously, if there is an instance where we know Jesus drank wine himself, then Patterson's argument is void.
I'll attempt to answer my own question: Is there any biblical evidence that Jesus actually drank wine? Upon a cursory look, I don't think there is.
Luke 7:33-34 states, "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking,and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'" (Luke 7:33-34
Jesus did say he came eating and drinking and he was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. But did Jesus confess he drank wine here? Not exactly. What was it he drank? We do not know because the Word does not explicity say. To assume he drank wine because his accusers called him a drunkard, is to base doctrine on the blasphemy of Jews and not on an actual fact. It seems that this is similar to saying, "I saw Charlie hanging out a bar with guys who were drinking, so he must be a drunk."
There does not seem to be explicit evidence that Jesus drank. There could be assumed or implied. Maybe a look into the Greek syntax of the passage could help.
The last supper?
"I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine..."
Matthew,
He mentions the fruit of the vine, but does not use the NT word for wine or strong drink...therefore it seems to me that this is an ambigious statement - as Patterson notes in his article there were drinks that were from the fruit of the vine that were not intoxicating.
Some scholars contest the idea that there was any such thing as unfermented wine in the ancient Near East.
It is unknown in the more recent Middle East.
They did not have refrigerators back then and it would have been very difficult to keep and preserve such a drink.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
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