I know I will get alot of argument about this, but drinking is not a sin, drunkenness is. That would be gluttony. Drinking is viewed as wrong because of the PRESEPTION it gives now-a-days. In this day and age if you are seen drinking, people will be skeptical of you when you try to tell them about Christianty.
For example: We have done a bible study with the guy who shoes my horses, he is a "real" cowboy, he say he knows what we have taught him is right and that he should accept it and start living right, but he is not ready to quit drinking beer. See, to him if you drink beer you are not a Christian.
Becky
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Does the bold help any?
Maybe in your neck of the woods. Here some of the Churches have beer at their summer festivals.
(I won't mention the priest who once commented "Beer - the Eighth Sacrament")
You are right that drunkeness, especially habitual, is sinful. And you mention gluttony. But you don't abstain from eating at all, because some people eat too much, do you?
All things in moderation. A time to mourn, a time for joy.
For example: We have done a bible study with the guy who shoes my horses, he is a "real" cowboy, he say he knows what we have taught him is right and that he should accept it and start living right, but he is not ready to quit drinking beer. See, to him if you drink beer you are not a Christian.
I would disabuse him of this notion and welcome him home. By holding up this standard of "real Christians don't drink" you have set up a wall to keep him out. I think JHavard would wail about not showing him mercy, and setting up impossible burdens for this man. Save him now and let him get a handle on his drinking later. (I'm sure that is what you are trying to do.)
SD
No argument here.