Posted on 08/07/2017 10:33:57 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
"There are an awful lot of dead soldiers here," the elder said.
"Aye, there are sir. And not one of them went without a priest!"
I remember reading about how bible scholars said the original greek or hebrew the words sued indicated it was ‘exceedingly good’ or ‘perfect’ wine- - not just ‘good wine’- and that is why the crowd marveled or wondered and why the miracle was so significant- it also had a religious connotation somehow- (something like with Jesus You get the best- not a cheap imitation’ or some such concept- it also had very specific Jewish connotations too- it wasn’t just a event about turning water into wine- it had specific meaning to the Jews I guess)-
The comical part is that it just hit me, once Paul brought it out in front of God and everybody, the “weaker brother” part no longer applies, once you show the weaker brother that scripture. :)
In a way, he’s saying that is the way it should be if you find a brother that is not aware of what I just wrote in this letter.
Nowaday, all Christians (except very new believers) are aware of that scripture.
.
Each and every miracle Yeshua worked had the same purpose:
To destroy one of the false commandments of the Pharisees’ burdensome false Law.
His first miracle demolished the false “Washing of the Hands” commandment.
.
A friend of mine got married at the Ponderosa Ranch near incline village. Instead of playing the wedding march they played the theme to Bonanza. Fun wedding. The pastor had several weddings to do and after each he stopped in at the bar for a couple of shots. Seemed appropriate in that context.
Well said.
Everyone drank wine, cider, and ale for years because it was the only liquid available at the time that didn’t kill you. Breadmakers used the yeast from ale brewers to make their bread too.
Noting that I agree that it is sinful to drink alcoholic beverage if it causes people to stumble, please consider the following.
Given that 1 Timothy 3:3 shows that one criterion that Paul indicated with respect to “qualifications” for being an overseer is that candidate is not given to drunkenness, elders should get together with candidate to have a drink or two to see how candidate handles himself.
After all, you don’t want someone who is hiding problems to be an overseer.
Speaking of moderation, it’s funny how Christian churches or organizations that harp on drinking any alcohol usually never mention the deadly sin of gluttony. You can be 50 or 100 or however many pounds overweight, but DON’T TOUCH ALCOHOL!
Oh come on. Jesus turned a boatload of water into wine for a wedding. He likely drank wine everyday of his life.
“All thing in moderation.”
...including moderation.
This “tyranny of the weaker brother” nonsense is part of the ongoing infantilization of Christian faith.
“Pastor John MacArthur states what many of us feel but seldom discuss, “It is puerile and irresponsible for any pastor to encourage the recreational use of intoxicants — especially in church-sponsored activities. The ravages of alcoholism and drug abuse in our culture are too well known, and no symbol of sin’s bondage is more seductive or more oppressive than booze.”
Pastors would do well to follow the Bible on this matter.
Just DON’T GET DRUNK.
When they get on that high horse about the damage to society...relationships...health etc. they enter the earthly realm and neglect the heavenly.
Drunkenness is sin. The rest of it are the wages of sin.
And taking a drink is not sin.
Ocean City?
Thanks for bringing that passage about the qualifications for elders to light here.
Because before we can answer the question about a pastor having a drink, we must first discuss what is and isn’t a pastor.
A pastor is a bishop, or a shepherd, or an elder, overseer, presbyter, what have you. It’s always a plurality of men leading an autonomous church.
It is NOT just one man who is the preacher/evangelist.
How and why so many denominations ignore and disregard simple Bible leadership and authority is just sad.
Yes....
.
>> “ He likely drank wine everyday of his life.” <<
Truly!
It was the only way they could keep their water safe to drink. Wine is an absolute necessity of life in most of the world today.
.
Jesus turned water into wine. What’s the problem?
.
>> “ it also had a religious connotation somehow” <<
Not just a connotation, it was the whole reason for the miracle:
To demolish the Pharisees’ false “Washing of the hands” commandment.
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.