Beer in the Bible?
Always a great site, I found this oldie but goodie at Ask the Pastor. Someone asks Pastor Walter Snyder a great question:
Q: I saw an article talking about the invention of beer in ancient Egypt, and it got me thinking: “Did the Israelites drink beer? What did they drink?”
A: Like you, I like to sit down occasionally to figure out what life was like in Bible times. It helps to understand the people and situations we meet on Scripture’s pages. I also like to sit down with a good beer. It helps to relax and refresh a world-weary pilgrim.
Since we Lutherans are often stereotyped as beer-lovers, it seems appropriate to examine Biblical precedent. After all, Martin Luther (probably only partially in jest) commented upon doing what he could, then having a brew and getting out of the Lord’s way during the Reformation: “I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept [cf. Mark 4:26–29], or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philipp [Melanchthon] and [Nicholas] Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.” Read more… Note that amazing quote from Martin Luther: “I did nothing; the Word did everything.” There’s something to ponder.
[…] (via Katie’s Beer) […]
Luther, Calvin, Pilgrims and church history all help me realise I can enjoy beer and drink to His glory. I really respect Lutherans for not giving into the cultural pressures of prohibition like so many Evangelical churches have today.
Jason, don’t believe the hype. Alcohol was commanded by God not to be drunk by His people(Nu 6:3). I can name many scriptures that prohibit fermented wine in the old testament and the new testament.
Editor’s note: The rest of this reader’s comment has been deleted because it is inaccurate. Alcohol is not Satan or a spirit. It is the abuse of alcohol that is a sin.