beer for your health
With the whole RiverBrew thing starting up I've read lots of Christian positions opposed to alcohol consumption and one issue often raised is health. However, many studies have shown alcohol consumption to be beneficial to one's health, here are a few examples:
- BMJ medical research group conducted a study with over 50,000 people between 50 and 65 years old. Those who drank alcohol had greatly reduced risk of heart disease (which is the number one killer in America). Interestingly, there was no significant difference between women who drank once a week and who drank daily, but men who drank daily had even less chance of heart disease than those who drank once a week.
- Nutritionists recommend one drink a day for women and two for men. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces spirits. Their guidelines also allow men three times as much beer as soda.
- Beer also prevents strokes, improves brain function, might protect against cancer, is good for runners and athletes, will make you live longer, is good for nursing mothers, is healthier than red wine, reduces Alzheimer's by 30%, is good for the liver, encourages conception, prevents colds and disease, is good for the skin and hair, teaches children self-discipline for many areas of life, helps weight loss, is somehow related to higher income, slows aging, and is good for the lungs.
7 comments:
Quoting liberally from the Global Beer Network on health issues is like asking Tom Cruise if Scientology is good for mental health. Both may have valid points, but where is the data. A post war french poster pushing beer for nursing is hardly science. The BMJ study is the closest to science supporting the point on longevity related to heart disease. Does the study address other causes of death studied and their relationship to drinking or not... fatal accidents in teens for one?
Where does the Bible say that moderate drinking is better than abstinance?
Hi Ken,
Most (though admittedly not all) the statements from Global Beer Network have cited the source studies. And yes, several of the studies looked at overall mortality rates, not just specific diseases or conditions, and found moderate drinkers live longest. Also, by making your argument using fatal teen accidents you introduce the logical fallacies of appeal to pity and a straw man argument. Fatal accidents are the result of alcohol abuse, which both I and these studies clearly discourage.
As for the Bible, I have cited a good number of verses at RiverBrew.com (under FAQ) showing what the Bible says about alcohol. Psalm 104:15 comes immediately to mind concerning alcohol being a blessing God created to "gladden the heart of man". Also, I hope we can agree that every moment Jesus spent on Earth he was doing the best thing, and we see that Jesus clearly chose to drink (Matt. 11, 26).
Hmmm..logical fallacies...
1. Jesus always did the best thing
2. Jesus drank alcohol
Therefore we should should all drink alcohol.
Its the best thing.
I'm not saying drinking alcohol (without getting drunk) is wrong. I just have a problem with your elevating it to a superior position than non-drinking.
Jesus' drinking in the New Testament was limited to turning water to wine at a wedding, and the instution of communion in Matt 26. The reference in Matt 11 is more about "this evil generation" than about Jesus' drinking. He points out that John didn't drink and they went off the deep end over that. He pointed out that He eats and drinks and they call Him a drunkard. Doesn't say that its weekly, monthly or what...you can't infer that its regularly or not.
Rather than picking out your seeming favorite activity and then finding justification and elevating it to the status of "the best things" why don't you elevate some other things that Jesus did like:
Fasting 40 days
Wearing a robe--kidding
Getting up before dawn to spend time with the
Father
Hanging out with sinners (in, not of the world)
Spend 3 years with 12 men
Regarding the teen drinking "argument". That actually was an honest question regarding the study and I did mean it when I asked if other causes of death were studied in the BMJ article. I guess I'll go try to look it up and answer the question myself.
You still haven't ansered the question: where does the Bible say that moderate drinking is BETTER than abstinance. I don't think Jesus' reference to John as "least in the Kingdom" has anything to do with his non-drinking.
I'm sure you have the best intent in wanting to help people drink alcohol in responsible ways and enjoy it while doing so. I'm sure you are against drunkeness as spoken against in Eph 5, Prov 20;1, 23:28-32. Just please don't be a pharasee about a new rule that we ought to drink and I won't be one saying that you shouldn't drink.
Can you imagine if someone started a Fishing Ministry and after compiling a bunch of Scripture started saying
Jesus chose a fisherman to be leader of early church... Many miracles had to do with fishing, multiplying fish, money in fish... Christians really need to know how to fish and do it often...Jesus did.
Making our hobbies subject to Jesus is the goal. Making anything other than Jesus our main pursuit is idolotry.
Jesus clearly instructed his church to remember him though alcohol consumption, and when this communion was abused (1 Cor. 11) the correction was not abstention. This is a form of worship that is supported by scripture more than singing songs to/about Jesus in church, which is readily accepted without a second thought. For this reason, it is also far different than your fishing analogy. (I am curious what abstentionists will do when Jesus passes them the cup of wine in the kingdom?)
Take note I never said moderation is morally superior to abstention, (I won't draw that line, though there is good argument for it) but for the practical purpose of evangelism (and even health) I believe moderation is superior and instructed (1 Cor 9, 1 Tim 4). Because of this ministry there are already guys coming to church that others have said "there is no way you'll ever get him to church".
Please spend your time praying that our evangelism be effective rather than splitting hairs about a ministry that clearly isn't sin, even if there are differing opinions regarding its wisdom.
A. I am not an abstentionist.
B. I am and have prayed that your being "all things" to "win some" will yield fruit.
C. I assume that if Jesus hands me fermented grapes in the Kingdom that my perfected, redeemed taste buds will either say "yuck, still tastes like rotten grapes" or "yummy." If it tastes bad He will either say "drink anyway" or
"I knew you'd say that."
D. You didn't use the words "morally superior" but your answer contradicts your denial. You sited Jesus' drinking as the best and said there was a "good argument" for it. I appreciate your desire to "not split hairs" but saying that there is more mention about worshipping God through alcohol than through singing or praise in prayer is just not true. The use of wine "as oft as you drink it" represents the blood, not the gift of wine. (I don't hear you extolling bread)
I haven't done the count but worshipping in songs and hymns and spiritual songs takes it 20 to 1 as I think about it in Psalms alone.
E. Why am I even bothering? Your site is thought provoking and great in many respects. But there are times when your attitude toward those who don't like wine hits me the way that you feel when someone who is legalistic gives you a big lecture. They come off as feeling superior and you don't like that any more than I like being told that my focus in Biblical worship is off.
Your Brother,
K
A. Cool
B. Thanks, it's already being seen.
C. I'm guessing you'll like it.
D. Just because I believe that article presents a good argument does not mean I am ready to adopt his position. I believe moderation and abstention are morally equal: neither is sin. I also believe that in many cases our evangelism is more effective and our worship more full by consuming alcohol in moderation. Regarding communion vs. songs, the Psalms are not prescriptive about how we should conduct Christian community, Jesus' command to the Eucharist is, and is more dominant than the few brief instructions to sing songs.
E. Honestly, I don't know why you're bothering either, but I'm glad to hear you like my blog. If you would have emailed me (the link is right at the top) I'm sure we could have a much more friendly conversation, but rather you have publicly attacked an evangelistic ministry that is under the authority and blessing of the elders of this church. All the while you give no explanation of who you are or your email so I could contact you more privately. Through these factors, to my perception, you have created the atmosphere of a debate rather than a conversation. Both have their place, but one is certainly less friendly.
I do love what you said at the end of your other post, I hope you're not implying I'm falling into the later group, or that you know me well enough from a blog to determine: “Making our hobbies subject to Jesus is the goal. Making anything other than Jesus our main pursuit is idolatry.”
Your point about public vs private is a good one. Matthew 18 would suggest a more private environment for correction of sin. I do not think you are sinning in this ministry. But perhaps the principle can extend.
Your perception that this was an attack on a ministry is regretable and to the extent that I contributed to that I am sorry.
My comments and questions were in response to my perception as I stated in paragraph E yesterday.
Your website is public and statements that you make are being received by many who may not express what I did, but felt that way.
Ken
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