Prohibition
of Alcohol was unconstitutional in 1918 -- "until we amended
the Constitution to give the federal government powers it
didn't previously have. Back then, politicians had more respect
for the oath they took to "support
the Constitution." It was clear the federal government had
been given no authority in the Constitution to regulate the sale
or distribution of alcohol. The Constitution creates a
government of "enumerated powers."
A Constitutional Amendment was clearly required to give the
federal government the powers which prohibitionists wanted it to
exercise. Then those powers were found to have disastrous
side effects: high black-market profits, organized crime,
and impure bootleg liquor. More people died from Prohibition
than died from the substance being prohibited.
Americans then re-amended
the Constitution to take away from the federal government
the power to ban alcohol."
Whenever a Congressman votes in favor of laws regarding
alcohol, tobacco or firearms, he violates his sacred oath to
support the Constitution.
- Despite the repeal of Prohibition, the alcohol industry is
virtually an arm of the government.
- How
Your Beer Bought John McCain's $500 Loafers: Uncovering the
government subsidies behind Cindy McCain's family fortune
- Reason Magazine
Prohibition violates "the
rule of law."
The Constitution does not give the federal government
power to do anything about any addiction, whether alcohol, tobacco,
or other drugs.
- The
little-told story of how the U.S. government poisoned
alcohol during Prohibition. - By Deborah Blum - Slate
Magazine
- Over 9,000 killed.
Christianity and Alcohol
Drunkenness is a sin. Drinking is not.
The use of alcohol (and other
herbs or drugs) is not contrary to "the
laws of Nature and of Nature's God."
From Dee Lauderdale at A
Worshipful Heart: The Question of Alcohol for Christians:
Do you suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the
object which is abused? Men can go wrong with wine and women.
Shall we then prohibit and abolish women?
– Martin Luther
Historically, God’s people have greatly enjoyed alcohol. In
the European world one of the most Christian drinks was beer.
- Saint Gall was a missionary to the Celts and renowned
brewer.
- After Charlemagne’s reign the church because Europe’s
exclusive brewer.
- When a young woman was to marry her church made a special
bridal ale for her, from which we derive our word bridal.
- Pastor John Calvin’s annual salary package included
upwards of 250 gallons of wine to be enjoyed by him and his
guests.
- Martin Luther explained the entire reformation as “…while
I sat still and drank beer with Philiip and Amsdorf, God
dealt the papacy a mighty blow.”
- Luther’s wife Catherine was a skilled brewer and his
love letters to her when they were apart lamented his
inability to drink her beer.
- When the Puritan’s landed on Plymouth Rock the first
permanent building they erected was the brewery.
As feminism grew in America during the turn of the 20th
century the women’s suffrage and prohibition movements were
the practical results of a feminine piety that came to also
dominate the church as more women became pastors and the church
became more feminine.
Some denominations began to condemn alcohol as sinful and the
Methodist pastor Dr. Thomas Welch created the very “Christian”
Welch’s grape juice to replace communion wine in 1869. The
marriage of Christianity and feminism helped to create a dry
nation that put out of business all but the largest brewers who
were able to survive on near beer and root beer which explains
why today American beer is largely mass produced, watered down,
light on calories, and feminine in comparison to rich and dark
European beers. The resurgence of micro-brews is helping to
overcome the great loss and resurrect the art of brewing.
Lastly, some Christians foolishly argue that such terms as
"new wine" and "mixed wine" in the Bible
speak of non-alcoholic wine. But, new wine can still intoxicate
according to Scripture (Isa. 24:7; Hosea 4:11; Joel 1:5), and
mixed wine refers to special wines where various wines are mixed
together and/or mixed with spices and does not refer to wine cut
with water (Psalm 75:8, Song of Songs 8:2). God refers to
pouring out the wine of His mixed wine on His enemies which does
not mean He will dilute justice (Psa. 75:8). The only time such
a practice is mentioned in the Bible is in regards to merchants
who cut wine with to rob customers (Isa. 1:22).
The Bible speaks of grape juice (Num. 6:3) and if God meant
to speak of non-alcoholic wine he would have used that word to
avoid confusion.
All Bible believing Christians agree that drunkenness is a
sin.
- The Bible is abundantly clear that drunkenness is a sin
(Deut. 21:20; Eccl. 10:17; Matt. 24:29; Lk. 12:45; 21:34;
Rom. 13:13; I Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:18; I Pet. 4:3).
- The matter is so serious that no priest was to drink
alcohol while performing their duties (Lev. 10:9; Ez. 44:21)
though they could consume while not working (Num. 18:12, 27,
30),
- no king was to drink while judging law (Pr. 31:4-5),
- an elder/pastor cannot be a drunkard (I Tim. 3:3; Tit.
1:7),
- and that no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (I
Cor. 6:10; Galatians 5:21).
Sins associated with drunkenness include:
- incest (Gen. 19:32-35),
- violence (Pr. 4:17);
- adultery (Rev. 17:2);
- mockery and brawling (Prov. 20:1);
- poverty (Prov. 21:17);
- late night and early morning drinking (Isa. 5:11-12);
- hallucinations (Isa. 28:7);
- legendary antics (Isa. 5:22);
- murder (2 Sam. 11:13),
- gluttony and poverty (Prov. 23:20-21);
- vomiting (Jer. 25:27, 48:26; Isa. 19:14);
- staggering (Jer. 25:27; Ps. 107:27; Job 12:25);
- madness (Jer. 51:7),
- loudness combined with laughter and then prolonged sleep (Jer.
51:39);
- nakedness (Hab. 2:15; Lam. 4:21);
- sloth (Joel 1:5);
- escapism (Hosea 4:11);
- depression (Lk. 21:34);
- and staying up all night (I Thess. 5:7).
Prohibitionists wrongly teach that all drinking is a sin and
that alcohol itself is an evil.
- Psalm 104:14-15 He [God] makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the
earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man…
- John 2:1-11 is clear that Jesus first miracle was
performing over 100 gallons of wine at a wedding party
- Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and
they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved
right by her actions."
Abstentionists wrongly teach that drinking is not
sinful but that all Christians should avoid drinking out of love
for others and a desire to not cause anyone to stumble.
- Hosea 2:8 She has not acknowledged that I was the one who
gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on
her the silver and gold-which they used for Baal.
- Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and
they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax
collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved
right by her actions."
- I Tim. 4:1-5 The Spirit clearly says that in later times
some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and
things taught by demons. Such teachings come through
hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as
with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them
to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be
received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know
the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing
is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
- I Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Moderationists rightly teach that drinking is not a
sin and that Christian conscience must guide each person.
Wine is spoken of as both good and bad in the same verses (I
Samuel 1:14, 24; 25:18, 37; Joel 1:5,10).
Apart from good feasting alcohol in Scripture is rightly used
for:
- communion (Matt. 26:29; Mk. 14:25; Lk. 22:18),
- medicinal purposes (Prov. 31:6; I Timothy 5:23),
- and OT worship (Num. 28:14).
- Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the
firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be
filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new
wine.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and
drink your wine with a joyful heart..
- Psalm 104:14-15 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and
plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the
earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his
face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
- Deut. 14:26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like:
cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything
you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the
presence of the Lord your God and rejoice.
- Romans 14:1-15:2
For further reading: God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About
Alcohol by Kenneth Gentry www.Godgavewine.com