Brant wrote a post last week cautioning against rushing into judgment of others. In spite of the good arguments to be made, the “deep, theologically profound arguments”, and the implications such a position has on how the rest of life is lived and viewed, Brant still says that “it’s not a sin to not drink wine”.
“I think we have to avoid judging other people’s hearts. Rejecting wine, for some, is a legitimate freedom that they have, and they are welcome to that, provided, of course, it’s not borne of selfish, prideful, or legalistic motivations.
Yes, I know, wine is a consistent symbol throughout scripture, of God’s peace, of Heaven itself, of God’s covenant with us. Yes, I know, the O.T. prophets intimately link the image of wine with the very Kingdom of God. I’m aware of this.
Yes, scripture is quite clear and thorough-going about it: Wine is a gift, pregnant with wonderful meaning, linked with the very soil, a sign of the creation that was created Good, and will be fully restored in the great Feast.”
My own “conversion experience” was prompted in part by reading the memoirs of composer JAC Redford, Welcome All Wonders: A Composer’s Journey. In one chapter, when recounting his conversion to Christianity from Mormonism, he wrote about a trip he took to Europe shortly after his conversion. He had just written orchestrations for one of the albums in Michael Card’s “Ancient Faith” trilogy, and he and his wife decided to spend some time traveling around Europe after the orchestra sessions in London. Coming from the strict rules of Mormonism prohibiting all alcohol and caffeine, he wrote about the freedom and joy he felt when enjoying God’s creation and His gift of life by having a cup of hot coffee with breakfast and a glass of wine over dinner.
It’s funny the seemingly random moments that are integral to the journeys of each of us.
Check out Brant’s full post here.
Very interesting post. Have you tried mixing your coffee and wine, for a new coffee flavored wine? You should try it some time.