The Christian and Alcoholic Beverages: A Biblical Perspective

by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

Book Overview

For the past 200 years Americans have been told that biblical teaching forbids the drinking of alcoholic beverages. But does it? In this greatly revised and expanded version of his controversial book,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801038073
• ISBN13: 9780801038075
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group (MI)
• Length: 117 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Defense of the Moderationist Position

I borrowed this book from a friend of mine at church, and I found it to be an excellent defense of the moderationist position with regards to drinking alcohol. The book provides a logical analysis of the biblical record as to the biblical justice of drinking alcohol in moderation, critiques the abstentionist and prohibitionist views (though not unfairly), even though the author (and I, personally) are not given to drink. For those seeking to understand the biblical position on drinking alcohol in a logical, fair, and dispassionate manner, this book succeeds excellently. I highly recommend it.

What the Bible actually says about Wine!

Excellent book! Ever wonder why some preachers say alcohol is sinful and preach so forcefully against it? Why do they skip verses when wine or alcohol is mentioned positively in the Bible? Why not read all the verses in the context of the passage? Answer: They have no Biblical basis for their stand against wine or alcohol in moderation. Perhaps it is easier for them to preach against the drink than the drunkard or drunkenness. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!

Book Review of "God Gave Wine" from erikwait.com

I owe a great debt to Kenneth L. Gentry for his work on the subject of eschatology such as his book "Before Jerusalem Fell." He has written a host of works on eschatology which have significantly aided my understanding of the Book of Revelation and apocalyptic passages such in Daniel 9, Matthew 24 and Luke 21. For any serious student of eschatology, especially if you are of the Reformed tradition, his works are a "must read." However, Gentry has written another work "God Gave Wine" (Oaktown: Lincoln California, 2001) which is a "must read," not for students of eschatology but rather for Christians who consider themselves to be enophiles. I live in the San Francsico Bay Area, which for a person who enjoys great food and wine is like being a surfer who lives in Southern California or a skier who lives in Aspen Colorado. I live an hour from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, two hours from the Gold Rush Wine Country in the Sierra Foothills, ninety minutes from the Monterey Wine Country and only twenty minutes from the Livermore Wine Country and the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries. Consequently, Gentry's book "God Gave Wine" is of great interest to me not merely as a thorough exegetical and theological treatment of an important ethical issue, but rather as a means of increasing my thankfulness to God for His gift of wine. Ken Gentry's book is not merely about the Biblical defense of Christians drinking moderate amounts of wine, but rather it is about recognizing wine for what it truly is - a gift of God. In his book Gentry describes the three views on the subject as: The prohibitionist position which "maintains that Christians should universally avoid alcoholic beverages as unfit for human consumption." (pg. 3). The second view is the abstentionist position which "maintains that although Scripture does not expressly forbid alcoholic beverages in toto, alcohol consumption in our society today is nevertheless imprudent and should not be condoned" (pg. 5). The third position, which Gentry defends, is the moderationist view which "maintains that alcoholic beverages are permitted to Christians if moderately consumed and in a circumspect manner" (pg. 6). Gentry's exegesis of the relevant texts on this issue is excellent and his arguments are quite logical and convincing for anyone who hasn't already determined to add another commandment to the Bible. That being said, while I herald his work as a masterful work of exegesis and discussion on the subject of consuming wine I think he doesn't go far enough in exhorting his readers. The conclusion that one must come to if Gentry's treatment of the Bible and the subject is correct is that not only are Christians free to enjoy moderate consumption of wine, but they are commanded to do so in partaking of the Lord's Supper. In addition, those who deny this freedom are in danger of asserting a theological heresy. If drinking wine is a sin, as the abstentionist asserts, then Jesus is a sinner since He Himself not only dran

the only honest examination of wine throughout all the Bible

This book is the only completely honest examination of wine and alcohol from a Biblical point of view. Mr. Gentry seeks what all the Bible, "the whole counsel of God" says rather than just one or two verses which justify a subjective position.I highly recommend this book to all Christians. Remember, if drinking moderately is a sin, then you do not have a Saviour. Please check out this book.