Comments on: Would Jesus Have a Beer With Me?

By: robdrums

robdrums — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:28:07 +0000

Great topic! I grew up in a church where drinking was considered sin so guess what I did- DRANK! I turned my back on God and did everything on my terms. Then at the age of 24 I decided to stop drinking. I was starting to see the bad side of drinking ( friend’s suicide, almost getting DUI, etc.). I got into a 12-step program for 3 years and haven’t drank for almost 15 years now.
Anyway, do I think drinking is wrong? Not at all. It’s the excess that is the problem. One of my pastors enjoys a glass of wine sometimes as does his father whoI happen to think is one of the greatest men of God today. My wife has a drink on occasion as do alot of our friends from church. I just choose not to, but I will down a couple of O’doul’s Ambers from time to time.
People who drink alcohol should do so not to medicate or try to escape from the realities of life. They should do so in celebration of life. As for the question asking if Jesus would have a beer with you, we’ll just have to see one day.

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:20:50 +0000

Bernard, Totally valid point. “Why do Christians NEED to drink”. I recall asking a similar question when I was younger, “If your husband thinks you are beautiful and should love you the way you are, then why wear make-up?”

The answer is: You don’t NEED to. It’s a personal choice. From my interpretation of the bible, It’s not right or wrong to wear make-up. It’s not right or wrong to drink.

I think the whole point is not to worry about what everybody else is doing. Some people like a glass of wine with dinner. Some people put on make-up before leaving the house. Make-up can make a pretty girl- beautiful. Wine can make a good steak-great!

By: Jonathan Hopson » Blog Archive » Bars and Church

Jonathan Hopson » Blog Archive » Bars and Church — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:19:38 +0000

[...] lately about christians drinking beer, churches meeting in bars, does Jesus belong in a pub, would jesus have a beer with me, and many many others. The list of sites discussing this issue is huge. I have huge respect for [...]

By: Jonathan Hopson

Jonathan Hopson — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:34:47 +0000

Both you and your wife are awesome! Thanks for the frank discussion nobody wants to talk about.

By: Andy Depuy

Andy Depuy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:42:11 +0000

Jarrod
What a great topic to talk about.

By: Julie Taylor

Julie Taylor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:04:57 +0000

I might as well throw my two cents in…

Sometimes I feel like drinking alcohol and going out to bars is one of the most effective tools I have as I am trying to share God’s love with those around me. I think there is something to be said for meeting our non-Christian friends in the environments where they feel most comfortable. I have had many, many more conversations about God and my faith over a beer or glass of wine than I have over a cup of coffee or out to lunch.

Maybe it is meeting people where they are comfortable… Maybe it is the extended amount of time that I tend to spend with my friends when we go out for a drink… All I know is that it sure seems like there have been times when God has been present.

And hopefully, by the grace of God, I will see the lives of those whom I deeply care about changed because of it.

By: Laura Morris

Laura Morris — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:51:00 +0000

Rob.
Thanks for the post. Alcohol is actually not a big part of our lives, but I must admit that it was offensive to me when you judged our spirituality and the culture of a different country because of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. I don’t like it when people talk smack about Germans either. Again, cultures are different. That does not make one better than the other….just different.
You are right though, the world does make it seem like alcohol is necessary and for some it can be addicting….just like a lot of other things this world has to offer. I am also glad that you are defending what you believe in…And lets face it…we are all the body of Christ here on earth.Peace…

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:25:29 +0000

I apologize that I have offended you Jarrod and Laura. I did not realize that alcohol was such a big part of your lives to the point of getting offended. By the way I was in Germany and being a cop at the time I did see a lot of alcohol related incidents. I did watch a drunk German guy punch a girl in the face. I saw people die from drinking and driving. I watched bar and street fights and was involved in them while drinking. With that said I have seen the same thing in America. Also I don’t appreciate anyone talking smack about Americans so I replied defending American Christians. I apologize for giving the impression that Germans have a problem. Since the post said “Would Jesus have a Beer with me?” I assumed Jarrod drank beer. My bad. I am glad you are both defending what you believe. We both have different views on the subject. To be honest I was wrong for questioning your spiritual walk. I definately had a problem with self control to the point where I ended up doing some bad things and hurting some people in my life. You might understand the feelings I have towards alcohol. I never want anybody to make those same mistakes and so my goal is to burn those bridges. Alcoholism, I can almost bet starts with just a beer. Some people can handle just a beer, some people want more. I am glad you can control yourself. Unfortunately the world and commercials want to make it sound like your life won’t be normal without alcohol. So now you know that some people in the church have a problem with alcohol and that is a reason why you wouldn’t bring alcohol to a church party. Take a look at this website. I know that we are not talking about being drunk but here are some things that alcohol has produced.

http://www.alcohol-information.com/Alcohol_Statistics.html

By: Jud

Jud — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:01:36 +0000

Since this horse is still twitching ……

Jeff,

Romans 13:14>

Therefore let us not (U)judge one another anymore, but rather determine this–(V)not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that (W)nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who (X)thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer (Y)walking according to love (Z)Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

16Therefore (AA)do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;

17for the kingdom of God (AB)is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (AC)peace and (AD)joy in the Holy Spirit.

18For he who in this way (AE)serves Christ is (AF)acceptable to God and approved by men.

19So then [a]we (AG)pursue the things which make for peace and the (AH)building up of one another.

20(AI)Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food (AJ)All things indeed are clean, but (AK)they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.

21(AL)It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

22The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who (AM)does not condemn himself in what he approves.

23But (AN)he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:08:18 +0000

I would like to understand the people that have brought up with “causing your brother to stumble” though what it really means to cause a brother to stumble. At this point is seems like yet another excuse for one to not accept responsibility for their actions and blame me for something I may or may not being doing.
Please help me understand the whole stumbling part.