I'm referring to Isaiah 25:6, which in the KJV says, "And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined." Lees? Let's try that again with the ESV: "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined."

Wait! Did that say that the Lord of hosts would include well-aged wine in a feast? That's strong, fine wine. And "aged" can't help but mean fermented.

I suppose this shouldn't surprise anyone (although this next passage might surprise some of you), since God said in Deuteronomy:

“You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you."

Deuteronomy 14:22-27

Yes, there it is. Right in the Mosaic law. God actually told the Israelites to buy and enjoy strong drink. You might try to re-interpret the wine as "grape juice." But the liquor is hard to get around.

Why do I bring this up? Well, as I've been reading through the Gospels each week, I've been rather amazed at all the references to wine. In fact, as I'm reading with an eye to better imitating Christ as His disciple, I can't escape that He "came eating and drinking" and was called "a glutton and a drunkard." How is it again that someone can be called a drunkard for drinking Kool-Aid? It seems to me that if He were a true teetotaler, no one could have called Him that without bringing mass ridicule on themselves.

One of my chief goals in "growing vertically" is that I shed away all those extrabiblical presuppositions that choke at modern Christianity. This is a strange one. It seems that at least in the issue of alcoholic beverages, American Christianity more strongly resembles the Pharisees than our Lord who rejoices in all the good gifts of God.

In studying the many passages of Scripture on wine/alcohol, I have found that all the "con" passages are pointed very clearly and specifically against drunkenness. Everything else points to a healthy enjoyment of wine in moderation. My wife pointed out that Psalm 104:15, God is praised for giving "wine to gladden the heart of man." If the wine is gladdening, it's having an effect.

Keith Mathison wrote an excellent thesis on "Protestant Transubstantiation." Strange title? Consider that the Catholics teach that the wine in the Eucharist becomes the blood of Christ. Keith suggests that many Protestants are teaching that their grape juice transubstantiates into the wine that the Bible actually tells us to use. If you want a very thorough treatment on the issue of alcohol and Christianity, I cannot recommend it enough.

Part One Biblical Witness
Part Two Historical Testimony
Part Three Reformed & Baptist Testimony
Part Four Reasons for the Rejection of Wine

The historical quotes which begin in Part Two and continue through to the end of Part Three are well worth the read.

Now, once you get a Biblical view of wine, let me encourage you with these principles from Ken Gentry, author of God Gave Wine:

• Remember that alcohol is part of God's creation, and as such, it can either be used well or abused. Just as people have abused the gifts of food, sex, and money, people have also abused alcohol, causing great destruction in the process. Alcohol itself is not intrinsically bad; the way in which it is often used is bad. Approach alcohol with an attitude of wise stewardship.
• Know that the Bible clearly and strongly condemns drunkenness.
• Know that alcohol can be used in beneficial ways, such as for communion during church and for medicinal purposes. Remember that Christ drank alcohol, and His first public miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Christians are free to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but choosing to do so may not prove beneficial to some people.
• Think and pray about whether you should choose to drink. Consider whether you have a family history of alcoholism, whether you suffer from health problems that would be exacerbated by consuming alcohol, whether you might lead someone close to you astray by indulging in alcohol, and whatever other issues God brings to your mind.
• If you do decide to drink, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you exactly what limits you should place on your drinking, since every person's tolerance for alcohol is different. Then pray for the grace to remain faithful to those limits.