Christian Perspectives

What does the Bible say about intoxicating drinks?

Percy PERERA

During the last Christmas season, the world witnessed yet again, the traditional prolific use of liquor which has once more confirmed the widely accepted view of the world that Christianity approves of ‘drinking’, does not prohibit it or discourage it.

It has even been claimed by certain sects professing to be Christian, that God does not prohibit the moderate use of alcohol. This is on the basis of Psalm 104: 14, 15 which say “He (Jehovah God) causeth... wine that maketh glad the heart of man,” and the argument that Jesus Christ contributed to the enjoyment of a wedding in Cana of Galilee by turning of water into ‘the best wine'. (John 2:3-10)

The Bible, however, nowhere sanctions the use of intoxicating wine. God has given his approval to the use of the fruit of the vine, the juice of the grape fruit immediately after crushing the grape. This is referred to as the ‘new wine’ and one does not get intoxicated by drinking it. If this grape juice is left to stand, immediately it begins to ferment on its own and then turns into an intoxicant, and this is called ‘old wine'. In the Christian scriptures ‘old wine’ is symbolic of evil.

The wine that Jesus made from water at the marriage feast of Cana was the pure juice of the grape or unfermented wine. This is the ‘new wine’ found in the cluster, of which Jehovah God declared, for his servant's sake, he would, “Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it.” (Isaiah 65:8) The Lord, who warned Israel in the Old Testament, ‘wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise,” (Proverbs 20:1) himself provides no such beverage to his votaries. In contrast, the arch-enemy of God, Satan tempts mankind to indulgence what will becloud reason and benumb the spiritual perceptions that are beneficial to mankind. The Bible teaches mankind to bring its lower nature into subjection and resist the lusts of the flesh which include the power of the appetite for inebriating beverages. God never places before mankind that which would be a temptation and a snare.

In the New Testament, accounts of the institution of the four Gospels nor in 1 Corinthians 11, is any formal wine-word used. Throughout these accounts the term ‘cup’ is used, the liquid within being called the fruit of the vine. No one can be absolutely certain as to what kind of wine was employed for the ‘Last Supper'. It may have been a watered-down wine typical of the ancient Passover feast, or wine which had been boiled and diluted and thus made to lose all its potency or it could have been unfermented grape juice. Therefore, it is wrong to presume, as some critics have done, that Jesus Christ both drank and gave alcoholic wine at the institution of the Lord's Supper.

As Peter Masters has reasoned out, in his, “Should Christians Drink?”, the nature of the wine at the Lord's Supper may be arrived at, by considering the new significance of wine as a symbol. “This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:24) The blood of Christ is the efficacy, sign and seal of a new testament. The new testament was new in the sense that it was entirely new in character and different from the old testament. It would be different wine. The old Passover feast, symbolizing the old testament was usually kept with diluted, fermented wine, but in the new feast (the Lord's Supper) the wine has a new and a different symbolic role. It would in future, stand for the blood of the new, different testament. Therefore, it would be a new (different) wine. It would not be the traditional cup of the old Passover ceremony.

In the Lord's Supper the cup has altogether a different significance. It now represents the precious blood of the Lamb of God. The new cup of the Lord's Supper calls for ‘unleavened’ or unfermented wine as the only fitting symbol of the blood of the perfect and righteous Son of God. The Biblical picture is of the blood of the grapes freshly pressed, and therefore, the appropriate symbol of the shed blood of Jesus is the fresh, unfermented blood of the grape.

Paul's instructions to Timothy to have a little wine, viz “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23) have often been used to justify drinking by not so sober, and uninstructed Christians. However, if they consider the full counsel of Pauline epistles it would be clear without doubt that Paul did not contradict the divine teaching on wine and strong drink. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cointhians 3:17) warned the Apostle Proverbs 31:6,7 prescribed strong drink as an appropriate medicinal drink. “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.” There is, therefore, no doubt that wine was permitted in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 14:26) as an everyday sanitary drink. Paul's advise to Timothy has to be interpreted in the light of this background.

The mind of God on the use of intoxicant drink is found categorically stated in the Christian Scriptures. God created man to have fellowship with him, but how can the holy God have fellowship with man whose mind is debased by the consumption of such drink? Paul reminds Christians, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) and, “.... Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) “For ye are the temple of the living God.... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” (2 Corinthians 6:16,17). It is therefore, evident that in the above instance under review what Paul meant by ‘a little wine’ was the unfermented wine which is not intoxicating.

Reference to wine in the New Testament were basically to purified water as in those times wine consisted of twenty parts water and one part wine. Twenty to one water is essentially wine-flavoured water.

The Bible records firm warnings from Jehovah God against drinking wine and strong drink. Some of them are direct warnings, and others are given through examples from the lives of characters in whom the evil effects of drinking took a heavy toll, bringing disaster and or death to themselves and to their families. For instance, ‘Noah’ planted a vineyard, and he drank the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brethren without. Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. Noah awake from his wine and knew what his younger son had done unto him, and he said, cursed be Canaan: a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, blessed be the Lord God of Shem’ and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant.”

(Genesis 9:20-27) Lot dwelt in a mountain cave with his two daughters who conspired to have sex with their father because ‘there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us’ and ‘let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father’, ‘And they made their father drink wine that night and the first born went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.’ The following night, they made their father drink wine and the younger daughter lay with him and Lot ‘perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.’ Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father’ (Genesis 19:30-35) Thus drunkenness through wine led Lot to commit incest which is an abomination in the sight of God.

In the Old Testament, Kings and the priestly class were commanded to abstain from ‘wine and strong drink’ partly because of their high responsibility and also to provide an example of sobriety. “And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, Thou nor thy sons with thee, when ye to into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and hat ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses” (Leviticus 10:8-11). The priests were specifically forbidden strong drink when officiating in the Tabernacle and when ministering to the people. What was considered strong drink in the Old Testament times was drinking one part water and one part wine.

“And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, when either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes nor eat moist grapes or dried. All the days of his separation shall be eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk” (Numbers 6:1-4). It was the Lord who directed that John the baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. An Angel of the Lord who appeared to Zechariah in the temple said to hi breaking the news of the birth of a son, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink”, (Luke 1:15). Concerning John, Jesus spoke unto the people, “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine” (Luke 7:33).

Throughout the pages of the Bible the consistent teaching of the benefits of temperance is found. The Bible warns the people against the use of wine and strong drink as they contain potent ingredients that alter the functioning of the mind and body. The human brain, the very organ that monitors a persons physical, mental and emotional condition, when loaded with alcohol begins to malfunction, and one's Judgment is impaired and it dulls his power of reason. The Lord wants the best for his creation, mankind, not only for its present enjoyment but also for its lasting benefit. Thus, drunkenness is forbidden all throughout the Bible.

Two thousandth sorrowful Novena at Ja-Ela

L S Nelson Fernando

“A sword will pierce through your own soul.” (Luke – 2,35)

The Beginning – In the year 1233 AD on August 15, the present day that the Catholic Church celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Blessed Mother appeared to nine devoted persons who were enriched in true faith, in the city of Florence. Mother Mary appealed to them to inaugurate a special mission to propagate the sorrowful events of her life. Thereby the Survite Order was established and the devotion to Our Lady's Sorrows was commenced by this congregation and as time went on it was spread throughout the world.

Having introduced the devotion to the Sorrowful Mother in Sri Lanka, it was our privilege to have commenced the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows in the church dedicated to Our Lady of Seven Dolours at Ja-Ela in the Archdiocese of Colombo.

The church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Ja-Ela, stands by the side of the canal in the centre of the town of Ja-Ela, facing the railway line. The old church building which had a history of over 210 years is now replaced by a structure with a new look, and this too is being renovated to be more attractive.

The Mount Calvary which stands beside the church is a fitting scene for the church of Our Lady of Seven Dolours and this is a very appropriate place for the Novenas to Our Lady of Sorrows to be conducted.

It was his Eminence Thomas Benjamin the late Cardinal Cooray then Archbishop of Colombo, who in granting his permission helped, guided and paved the way to inaugurate these Novenas here. We pay our homage and gratitude to His Eminence the late Cardinal on this occasion.

It was the Rev Fr K William Perera OMI, the then Parish Priest who was dearly referred to by the parishioners as ‘Sweet William’ who inaugurated these Novenas in this church. He was assisted by Rev Fr Joseph Aloysius OMI. The Novena book drawn up by Rev Fr W M Nicholas Perera Mis Ap. was originally used to conduct the Novenas.

The first Novena was held on March 9, the first Friday in Lent in the year 1973, officiated by his Lordship the Rt Rev Dr Edmund J Fernando, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo.

The past memories

Rev Fr Hugo Jesudasa Fernando, as the Parish Priest (1974-1984)

100th Novena – It was during the tenure of office of Rev Fr Hugo Jesudasa Fernando, as the Parish Priest, the one hundredth Novena was celebrated in the year 1975. His Lordship Rt Rev Dr Oswald Gomis, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, officiated the centenary Novena. A new Novena Book was drawn up by the Rev Fr Hugo Jesudasa Fernando, in terms of the Second Vatican Council declarations, for use thereafter. It is still being used with additions.

200th Novena – In the year 1977, the two hundredth Novena was celebrated with the participation of the Most Rev Dr. Paul Perera, the late Bishop of Kandy.

300th Novena – The three hundredth Novena was graced by the then Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Very Rev Fr Martin Gooneratne OMI in 1979.

400th Novena – The Most Rev Dr Nicholas Marcus Fernando, the then Archbishop of Colombo, officiated the four hundredth Novena in the year 1980. 500th Novena – In 1982, the five hundredth Novena was celebrated with the participation of the late Bishop of Galle the Most Rev Dr W Don Sylvester.

Rev Fr John Hettiarachchi, as the Parish Priest (1984-1992)

During his period he had the privilege of celebrating five of the hundredth Novenas, that is the sixth in 1984, seventh in 1986, eighth in 1988, ninth in 1990, and the tenth hundred (1,000) Novena in 1992. It is worthy to mention here that all the above centenary celebrations were held with the participants of Very Rev Fr Ignatius Gamlath, who was then the Monseigner and Co-Adjutor of Gampaha zone, residing next to the church premises owned by the Archbishop of Colombo.

Rev Fr Merl Shanthi Perera as the Parish Priest (1992-1997)

During this period, the 1,100th Novena was celebrated in 1994. His Lordship Rt Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, the present Archbishop and his Eminence the Cardinal graced the occasion. The 1,200th Novena was held in 1996 as on a normal Friday Novena. Rev Fr Merl Shanthi initiated to buy the adjoining lands of the Calvary which belonged to private individuals for the use of the pilgrims.

Rev Fr Hugo Palihawardana, as the Parish Priest (1997-1998)

The 25th year, the silver jubilee of the inauguration of the Sorrowful Novena in the church was celebrated on March 6, 1998. Very Rev Fr Placidus de Silva, the then Dean of the Ragama Deanery officiated at the 4.30 pm Novena, and the then Procurator General of the Archdiocese, Very Rev Fr Harold Anthony Perera, the present Bishop of Kurunegala Diocese, officiated at the 6.30 pm Novena. It was on this day that he declared that the adjoining lands of the Calvary which belonged to private individuals would be bought over for the use of the pilgrims who were participating in thousands by then, during the period of Lent.

To be continued

Psalm reference to Christ fulfillment of prophecy

2.7 Messiah being God's Son (Hebrews: 1:5,6)

16.8-10 He will rise from the dead and (Luke: 24:5-7)

22:1-21 Christ's agony on the cross (Matthew: 26:27)

22:18 People casting lots for his garments (Matthew: 27:35)

22:15 Christ thirsts on the cross (John: 19:28)

22:22 Christ will declare God's name (Hebrews: 2:12)

34:20 His bones will not be broken (John: 19:36, 37)

40:6-8 Jesus came to do God's will (Hebrews: 10:5-7)

41:9 Judas Iscariot's betrayal (Luke: 22:48_

45:6, 7 Christ's throne lasts forever (Hebrew: 1: 8, 9)

68:18 Christ's ascension into heaven (Ephesians: 4:8-10)

69:9 Zealous for God (John: 2:17)

69:21 Offered vinegar on cross (Matthew: 27:48)

89:3, Descendant of David (Luke: 1:31-33)

96:13 Christ's return to judge the world (Thessalonians: 1:10)

110:1 David's son and David's Lord (Matthew: 22:44)

110:4 Christ,the eternal Priest-King (Hebrews: 6:20)

118:22 Men reject him but God (Peter 2:7,8)

Psalm 110:4 - Christ, the Eternal Priest-King (Hebrews 6:20)

I like you to focus on Christ, the eternal Priest King. Although not on the priestly line He was given this office in the order of Melchisedec, whose genealogy is not of a priest. We also saw that Melchisedec was the King of Salem, and therefore the King of peace as well as righteousness. He is referred to as a priest as Abraham offered his tithes to him accepting him as a priest long before the Levites were designated their priesthood.

Jesus, completed His duties in gaining salvation to the world, and occupies the position of being King and High Priest forever.

Christ, as He was sinless He was able to perform this sacrifice once and for all for the whole world.

Unlike the High Priests before Him, Jesus was tempted and tried in all human weaknesses and triumphed through it all and therefore we are able to come to Him with our struggles and failures, over and over again and He is able to say ‘ I have paid the price for this, and I am able to forgive you'.

None of the humans are able to say this, even though they hold positions of priesthood. The High Priest's duty was to offer a sacrifice of atonement once a year, and in order to perform this duty he himself had to be first purified, as he was a human being. Not so with Christ, He was sinless and God in the form of man coming to offer a sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice which was able to take away the sin of the world. He is no respecter of persons. In fact we Christians fail in being good to the discarded people of society - we do not want to soil our hands, when a drunkard or a drug addict calls on us - a prostitute or a helpless lonely woman cries for help, very often we turn our backs to them.

Matthew 25:42-45 tells us: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Some times church doors are shut to these discarded people and like in the parable of the Good Samaritan many of us cross the road to avoid such people in need. Not so our Great High Priest, He is always available to the needy, anyone who cries unto Him will be accepted and the wheels will be set in motion to draw that person to Himself. So reader, of you are one of them, do not hesitate to come to this fountain and drink of the rivers of blessing Jesus Christ is able to give you and the promise is you will never thirst again.

We, so called Christians who bear Christ's name on the other hand, must also be ready to help the widows, orphans, lonely, discarded people of society like drunkards, drug addicts and the prisoners who cry for help.

Let us not be attracted to the elite people of society but reflect Christ's beautiful quality of being humble and loving to the less fortunate.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Great High Priest- no human being can be equaled to take this place that you have so rightly deserved. As I draw unto you with this great need I have, please accept me and heal me as i cannot help myself. I have learned today that no sin was omitted by you as being too much to forgive my sin seems so terrible and brutal, but in you I can receive forgiveness and a newness of life to reflect your love. Please Lord Jesus, take over my life and make it anew. I need your strength to lead a life that is pleasing to you my Master, my High Priest. Oh Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, hear my cry. I ask this humbly in your name Jesus, the anointed Messiah, Christ the High Priest Forever.

Amen.
Sunitha Sahayam