Last week, we noted that some in our state government are attempting to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in our state parks, even when those parks are in dry counties. The ultimate thrust of the sponsoring legislator (Senator Pat Lindsey, D-Butler) is to "liquify" all dry counties in the state. As Christians, we must oppose any effort of our government to promote sin. We must do so peaceably and with the demeanor of those who profess to know Christ. Christians are allowed to use the political process to promote godly principles in our communities, state, and nation. Paul, though a Christian and an apostle, exercised his right as a Roman citizen to "appeal unto Caesar" (Acts 25:11).

One might ask, "Why oppose the sale of alcohol? Why not live and let live?" Our first response is this, "Because those who use alcohol not only kill themselves, but hundreds of thousands of others who abstain." Between 1977-1997, approximately 600,000 people were killed on US highways due to alcohol-related accidents (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report). A 1995 report revealed that 14 million Americans abuse alcohol or are alcoholics; that's 1 in 13 of our entire population (website FAQ - National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - NIAAA). The NIAAA also reports that alcohol is involved in 30% of all suicides, 50% of all homicides, 68% of all manslaughters, 52% of all rapes and sexual assaults, 48% of all robberies, 62% of all assaults, and 49% of all violent crimes (quoted by The Tennessean 9-14-97, p 3F). In 1992, alcohol abuse and alcoholism's cost to society was 148 billion dollars (NIAAA). One might counter, "But doesn't the Bible say that Jesus turned water into wine?" Indeed it does. But all should know that the Bible only uses one word to describe both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines. The common term for wine as used in the New Testament in oinos. This is also true in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. Here are some uses of oinos indicating the presence of alcoholic beverages:

"Then he (Noah) drank of the wine (oinos) and was drunk" (Gen 9:21). Genesis 9:24 says Noah "awoke from his wine," indicating he had "sobered up."

Genesis 19:32-35 says Lot's daughters "made their drink wine" (oinos). He became drunk and was unaware of the sin they committed with him.

In the New Testament, Revelation 17:2 speaks of those who "were made drunk with the wine (oinos) . . ."

Here are some passages using oinos which cannot refer to intoxicating beverage:

Isaiah 16:10 says "no treaders will tread out wine (oinos) in the presses, and Joel 2:24 says "the vats shall overflow with new wine (oinos) and oil."

In Matthew 9:17, Jesus said men do not "put new wine (oinos) into old wineskins . . ."

These are but a few of the many passages that show both usages of the Greek word oinos. Lord willing, next Sunday's article will show what the Bible has to say about the use of beverage alcohol..

Todd Clippard