Originally Posted by
CarlaRant
I just spent 1.5 hours reading through this thread. There has been some great discussion as well as some ignorant posts from various people. I think it's interesting that it has drug up after being dormant for one month. Since it already has, I'll add just a few comments:
Historically and culturally, the oinos (wine) was prominent at the dinner table in the Middle East. In fact, if you believe in the accuracy of the New Testament of the Christian Bible, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-22). Unlike John the Baptist, Jesus did drink wine (quite possibly the reason why Baptists are so anti-alcohol nowadays). Followers of Jesus were merely warned to not consume to drunkedness because it degrades the body, thus the temple where the Holy Spirit resides. There are other passages in both the Old and New Testaments that have the same warning because of its possible dangers.
Logically one must think Jesus' actions were incorrect if the belief is held that anyone that consumes alcohol is in the wrong; not only did he partake, but he provided the alcohol in a the few recorded cases. However, if someone is a Christian, he believes that Jesus was the Son of Man and of God and died for humanity's sins. According to Jewish law, the animal (typically a lamb) used in the repentance sacrifice would need to be deemed "blemish free," also known as perfect. For Jesus to be the sacrifice for humanity's sins, he would have been perfect as well. If someone subscribes to this the latter belief that Jesus is the Son of God and perfect, the attitude towards alcohol, specifically wine, will need to change. Holding oneself higher than Jesus based on a straightedge lifestyle would be blasphemy.
It all boils down to perspective. I have chosen a straightedge lifestyle because I didn't like how I was on drugs, but I don't look down on my husband or friends who drink. Athough I do give people who smoke hell. HA!