Christians for Beer!?

[Leslie Jebaraj]

I recently joined the group, Christians for Beer, on Facebook. Though I don't drink, I joined the group just to showcase the freedom that Christians have in Christ.

In America I know that some would still judge you for drinking beer. And in India, it is un-thinkable. I mean, beer and Christians don't mix. It is considered a sin, and a big one at that.

And beer is just an illustration of the legalism that abounds in some Christian circles. Movies, cigars, cards, dance, are just some of the other taboos among Christians.

Now, how does one who has come to understand grace begin to share the freedom in Christ to those who are unwittingly bound by the shackle of legalism?

[JacksonS]

why just beer then, why not hard liquor or wine? And why not just one, why not "a few" ?

[Rey Reynoso]

Drinking beer doesn't implying drinking to excess just like driving doesn't imply driving at 250 mph.

[Char]

I still believe that all such prohibitions are an ironic example of worldliness. We are thinking of the things of the world and how we might separate from them to show that we are anti-world. But the things of the world are our constant focus. Frankly I think this is something we spend too much time worrying about.

I rarely drink, because I don't like the taste of most alcohol, though I admit I do get a hankering for it when someone tells me I can't really be a Christian if I drink. Otherwise I am indifferent. It does annoy me that wine is not used in communion, even though I hate wine more than anything. That is kind of the point as far as I'm concerned.

[karen]

I'd rather hang around a grace oriented Christian that doesn't think there's something wrong with drinking every once in awhile then to hang around a legalistic person. Do you think smoking is a "sin"? I've heard some Christians say that all it does is rot out our teeth and give us lung cancer but should that be taken to the extreme of it being ok to smoke outside of the church before the service begins? Why not down a beer while we're at it while we've got our heavy metal music blasting away in the car.

[Raquel]

wha? so are you pro or against grace?

karen said:

I'd rather hang around a grace oriented Christian that doesn't think there's something wrong with drinking every once in awhile then to hang around a legalistic person. Do you think smoking is a "sin"? I've heard some Christians say that all it does is rot out our teeth and give us lung cancer but should that be taken to the extreme of it being ok to smoke outside of the church before the service begins? Why not down a beer while we're at it while we've got our heavy metal music blasting away in the car.

[Miles Harris]

Scripture makes it clear that the sin is being drunk. I dont think drinking is a sin... so drink as many as you feel comfortable with ( as long as you dont offend your brother in so doing) if you dont get drunk. We need to be careful not to turn our freedom in to an occasion to sin... but we also need to be careful not to turn our freedom in christ to legalism in order to keep us from sinning.

Jackson Hoolahan said:

why just beer then, why not hard liquor or wine? And why not just one, why not "a few" ?

[H]

Besides, people abuse all manner of things and rarely do I hear it suggested that we do away with money, authority, power, food, wives, husbands, children or pets. But alcohol - now that's a different story. People, especially Christians, cannot be trusted to handle it responsibly so it's made into a sin. Not buying it.

[Leslie Jebaraj]

While we are in the subject of grace versus legalism, I thought I'll mention Chuck's book on grace, as it is a classic treatment on the subject. Go here if you'd like to buy the book.

[Char]

I have heard that alcoholism is most prevalent in countries that frown on responsible drinking. I have no statistics on this, anyone else? It makes sense to me given the human reaction to Law.

[Raquel]

this is the best info I could find

Char said:

I have heard that alcoholism is most prevalent in countries that frown on responsible drinking. I have no statistics on this, anyone else? It makes sense to me given the human reaction to Law.

[karen]

i think grace is a wonderful thing Raquel. I was just pointing out that I'd rather hang around a grace oriented Christian than a legalistic one but, truly, I think grace is great.

Raquel said:

wha? so are you pro or against grace?

karen said:

I'd rather hang around a grace oriented Christian that doesn't think there's something wrong with drinking every once in awhile then to hang around a legalistic person. Do you think smoking is a "sin"? I've heard some Christians say that all it does is rot out our teeth and give us lung cancer but should that be taken to the extreme of it being ok to smoke outside of the church before the service begins? Why not down a beer while we're at it while we've got our heavy metal music blasting away in the car.

[Joanie D.]

Raquel said, "I'm not worried about addicts as much as I'm worried about our body overcompensating for its obvious insecurity about being religious geeks,"

You are so funny, Raquel. I do get a kick out of how you phrase things!