tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719139866984861669.post2578387020356701184..comments2023-08-15T08:50:00.391-07:00Comments on Adventist Perspective: Reviewing Adventist World, NAD EditionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-719139866984861669.post-38323050008978140492009-11-03T19:45:38.908-08:002009-11-03T19:45:38.908-08:00Andy,
Thanks for your thoughts on the "Why I...Andy,<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts on the "Why I Don't Drink Acohol" article. You're right, scripture takes a far more accepting stance on moderate use of alcohol, while condemning drunkenness. I wish we SDAs could be honest about this, while still finding valid reasons for avoiding the use of alcohol. Perhaps that reason might be the "Christian concern for our neighbors" with out making it a "moral imperative.<br /><br />This is probably one of the weakest articles on abstinence from alcohol I've read. I was especially dismayed considering that Shepherd is a New Testament scholar. I was hoping for a stronger, more thoughtful, and insightful article.<br /><br />The weaknesses were many. Probably the worst line of reasoning came toward the end of the article when he was discussing the alcoholic content of beverages in biblical times.<br /><br />To quote "Furthermore, their alcoholic content would not be greater than 10 to 15 percent in the case of wine (only 4 to 6 percent for beer)...."<br /><br />This is essentially the same alcohol content that you find in these beverages today (yes you can find stronger beers) but the averages are similar.<br /><br />But then he continues "The situation is vastly different in today's world, in which alcohol is much more readily available and at much higher concentrations in distilled spirits (commonly 40 to 60 percent."<br /><br />Now we are no longer comparing "apples to apples." He makes a leap and now compares "apples and oranges."<br /><br />It's a faulty line of reasoning. I expect my church publications to do better than this.The Kilted Clergymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16721593970759717734noreply@blogger.com