Some assert that a Christian can drink as long it is in
moderation by citing various passages. Certainly there are biblical passages that
the support of the drinking of wine in moderation but what is meant by biblical
moderation in the context that it is written.
Often scientific research by those in the medical field supports 1-2
daily servings of wine on a daily basis as healthy moderation. While research
indicates that wine definitely does have some health benefits, to make a wise
decision needs some further investigation into the details of modest servings
of alcohol. There are good sound doctors
that even warn of these studies as they ignore other crucial issues like the
risk of alcoholism. There are some
considerations to be made in the research that are dismissed in such studies
like that of the amount of alcohol concentration in the serving, weight of the
drinker, and the most crucial point in which the duration of time in which wine
is consumed. One should not merely take to the Scriptures Paul’s statement to
Timothy about how a little wine is good for the stomach and assume that a
serving of wine with 13% alcohol by content fits the same context. Prooftexting
is important when reading the Bible. Prooftexting
involves studying the historical and cultural backdrop in which the letters are
written while studying other passages as well on the subject.
In ancient times, the amount of wine, including fermented,
was used in Roman and ancient biblical times to purify water that was stored in
cisterns and wells. That was a major use of it. It was mixed with water at a
very low ratio, consisting of the lowest ration of (3 parts water to 1 part
wine-which was the lowest acceptable ratio; this produced a drink that
typically from below 1 percent to 2.5% alcohol) and at times may even diluted
wine up to (20+ parts water to 1 part wine). This means the majority of wines
for common daily consumption ranged from less than .1 to 1% in alcohol
percentage. Furthermore, studies show
that the ability to make wine ferment to a higher percent required quite a bit
of sugar, strong portions would require much more time to ferment. This would
indicate that strong wines were often a rare development for a common working
man’s consumption due to availability and cost. Also, as a result, the higher
content fermented wines would be esteemed by the elites of those times and less
likely to be the hands of the common ancient citizen. The consumption for common man would result
in a much lower content of alcohol. Furthermore, Samuel Bacchiochi in his
research even confirms the idea that the wines that were common for consumption
were not left for fermentation. As a result, the fermented wines were more
common and desired by the elites of those days and not the average citizen.
Simply wines were not always were consistent in alcohol content and even the
new wines in a couple of hours would have fractional content. Wine today is
different than in ancient times. Often biblical admonishment against the
“strong drinks” would be considered anywhere from 2.75% alcohol and above. In
considering the percentage of alcohol is as follows in today’s markets mild
table wines average at 7-10% per serving (6 oz glass serving). Also, beer averages
at 5.5% per serving (12 oz can). Statistically virtually all alcohol marketed
today is way above the norms per serving of ancient times and therefore
considered strong drink. In comparing the alcoholic drink, the consumption for
the average ancient citizen would be anywhere from less than .1% to maybe as
high as 2.5% and could vary depending on how wealthy the family was. The
wealthier a man or family was, the more likely they would obtain beverages
above 3% alcoholic content. This also
would explain why King Lemuel in the Proverbs 30 was being advised that wine was not to be drunk by kings.