Part 1: Introductory Comments
Part 2: Sola Scriptura and the SBC
Part 3: What Does Scripture Say?
Part 4: Abstinence in Scripture
Part 5: To Abstain or not to Abstain
Part 6: Answering Objections

As I wrote at the beginning of this series, this is not a topic that I ever intended to address formally. I had written this somewhat smart-alecky post, and that was enough. However, anyone can be a wise-guy. “I’ll drink all the wine you can make out of water.” See? There are enough clever quips to go around. What has been in short supply are Biblical examinations of the subject, which I intended to supply in one concise, to-the-point post. Well, it immediately became obvious that one post could not sufficiently handle it thoroughly, so here we are, seven posts in, and finally wrapping up. Thanks to all who have stuck with me this far.

My intention has never been to persuade anyone to drink alcoholic beverages. If you now feel you should drink even though you have no desire for it, I want to state clearly that you need not feel that way. My arguments against abstention do not apply to you, because you are not abstaining. Abstention is purposeful, not passive.

On the other hand, if you have been bound by man-made, anti-Biblical rules, I wish for you to be free to enjoy God and his gifts to you – all of them. I wish for you to do so with gratitude and joy, with a heart overflowing with love for the Lord who made you, and all that the world contains, for his glory. I wish for you to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, of which self-control is a part.

While I have tried to be thorough, I know there is more to be said about this. I recommend reading God Gave Wine by Kenneth L. Gentry and Drinking With Calvin and Luther!: A History of Alcohol in the Church by Jim West.

Skål!