Wow, thanks for the post! :-)
Although, I've always found it odd that some Christians think that alcohol is evil. It would make this miracle of Jesus appear to be an evil as well. Why would Jesus multiply and freely distribute that which is evil? It would be like Jesus handing out pornography at a bachelor party; the belief doesn't make sense...
Gee, and (my entire life), I thought I was the only one that questioned this miracle.
Jesus had to. His mother requested that he do something for the wedding party problem. He rebuked his mother for his time had not yet come, but to keep the commandment HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER, he HAD To.....
It is an odd thought, and it's contrary to the Bible itself.
Drunkenness is the sin, not having a drink.
The issue of avoiding alcohol is not based on a biblical declaration that drinking is a sin. The Bible doesn't say that. It does, however, warn specifically about "tarrying long" at strong drink, and the position of many churches is simply one of avoiding a slippery slope that almost certainly won't lead to anything good.
Also note that not all wine was "strong" wine, as in alcoholic. We have no way of knowing which type Jesus created.
MM
This Christian doesn't think alcohol is evil, but the way alcohol is used to excess in this society is. I don't drink at all, but not because I can't or because it would be wrong for me to, it wouldn't. "It would be like Jesus handing out pornography at a bachelor party; the belief doesn't make sense..."
A better comparison would be some Christians thinking sex is evil. But in fact, Jesus invented sex. Under the right conditions, sex is very very right and God encourages us in the Song of Solomon to "drink deeply". Under the wrong conditions, it is evil.
It is the abuse of alcohol and the problems it causes that leads to this thinking. I've heard a Pentecostal preacher say that though the Bible says "a little wine is good for the stomach", if you never indulge, you'll never overindulge.
It does make some sense.
Yes, I've heard it suggested that the wine was very weak, and therefore harmless. But even the cut wine was still much stronger than beer, and at this event in particular, we know they were already getting snookered. "Usually you serve the best wine first, then later [when the guests are too drunk to notice] you bring out something cheaper."
Bring all the wine you can find made totally from pure water!
I doubt there is or ever have been any alcoholics as a result of drinking such wine regardless of the amount!
Calling it evil, and I like your analogy, is a bit silly and over the top in my opinion. JC also drank it with His disciples. That being said, leadership demanded that He didn't abuse it and I don't see anywhere that He did or his disciples.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Me too.
It would make this miracle of Jesus appear to be an evil as well. Why would Jesus multiply and freely distribute that which is evil?
The argument against is that wine, and its usage, in Jesus' time was not exactly comparable to wine and its usage today. Aside from water, wine was the only beverage that could be stored for any period of time. My understanding is that wine in Jesus' day was generally weaker than the wine we use today, and it was used daily by all members of the family.
OTOH, it seems pretty clear from the Biblical context that the wine was being used for celebratory purposes, since the waiters say, "usually the best wine is served first," the implication being that the cheap wine can be served after everyone's tipsy.