According to the Bible, Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-11). And according to this story, Jesus didn't just furnish them with wine, but the good stuff, which as any wine aficionado will tell you, had a higher alcohol content.
Nah, it was Welch's grape juice! (lol) Alyssa Howard notes (wryly) that: "any time the Bible speaks of alcohol in a positive way, it is referring to grape juice rather than alcoholic drink. And any time it is painted in a negative light, it’s referring to alcohol." (i.e., if one is a Baptist or Reformed Presbyterian!) This stems from the fact that the Greek word used for “wine” (oinos) can also mean grape juice." Wine or Grape Juice? What Does History Teach Us About Wine in the Bible? Oinos is the same word used in Ephesians 5:18, "do not get drunk on oinos..." The guests seemed to have been quite impressed by the quality of Jesus' oinos. "You have saved the best for last." Of course they were talking about the non-alcoholic kind. (John 2:10). (Sure they were! lol) Elsewhere, the Bible talks about wine in a positive sense. (Eccelesiastes 9:7; Psalm 104: 14-15; 1 Tim. 5:23) Face it: the notion that alcohol is inherently sinful isn't biblical! Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.org Drunkenness is another matter! (Eohesians 5:18; Proverbs 23:29-35; 1 Cor. 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). The late Episcopal Bishop John Spong goes farther in thinking Jesus' miracle is purely a metaphor: "the waters of purification are replaced by the wine of the spirit". (The Fourth Gospel). BTW. In the immortal words of a Transylvanian count: "I don't drink...wine!"
Yes alcohol isn't inherently bad. But there will always be those that can walk the line between drunkeness and benign alcohol use better than others. If you drink then you also influence your friends and those around you. Maybe someone in your life could be an alcoholic but they didn't become addicted until you spent time drinking with them. Maybe you walked away scott free, but when it comes to drugs and alcohol you have to consider not just how it will affect yourself but others as well. So I can certainly understand why some congregations ban it all together.
That makes sense. But on the matter of Jesus at the wedding feast, I think it's likely his was alcoholic.
Yes I think it was. Christianity doesn't really like to portray Jesus this way, but in the accounts it sounds like He used to drink alcohol: check out Matthew 11:2-19 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Interesting language here in verse 18: 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” What could this mean other than that John came preaching in sobriety, but Jesus came eating and drinking, and neither of them were received.
