To Drink or Not To Drink, That Is the Question

I appreciate Tim Challies for pointing out a series of posts by David at The Thirsty Theologian. Ken is obviously acquainted and familiar with the guys over at The Thirsty Theologian, but this is my first time getting involved in a discussion over there. David is currently working on a series entitled "God Gave C2H6O". This is a series of posts on "beverage alcohol use" and David is making the case that "this resolution [the SBC resolution concerning alcohol], and the history of fundamentalist prohibitionism, is no less than a rejection of sola Scriptura, 'teaching for doctrines the commandments of men' (Matthew 15:9)." I highly encourage you to read Part #1 and Part #2 for yourself. Personally I am looking forward to reading his entire series which he hope to continue tomorrow. I will be checking in early in the morning.

Ken said that he was going to link to these articles, but since he is at camp this week I figured I would do my best to do his work for him. :) [Actually, I was the first to comment on these articles leading me to believe I read them first and therefore giving me first dibs on commenting about them.]

I really don't want to say too much until I have read all that David has to say. He has obviously done much more research on the subject and I thought I would see all of his conclusions before digging in deeply myself. I will say that I was raised under "total abstinence" teaching and held that view by default for most of pastoral ministry (almost 10 years). Through a series of questions by men that I was discipling I came to the biblical conclusion that you cannot a teach total abstinence as a command from the Bible. With that being said I do practice abstinence from the position of wisdom and profitability.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Cor. 6:12

At this point in my life I cannot and do not partake of alcoholic beverages because for me it would be a violation of my conscience and therefore sin (Romans 14:23).

Most, if not all of the comments at The Thirsty Theologian have come from those who are in favor of "beverage alcohol use". I am curious to hear from those who oppose social "beverage alcohol use" and are in favor of resolutions similar to the one the SBC recently passed. This is a subject that I am personally very interested in and one I find to be highly practical when it comes to daily Christian living. I will await your responses.