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Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence

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The book is organized in a well thought out manner in that Lumpkins has divided the book's twelve chapters into three sections. The first section concerns the obvious discussion on why this book is needed today. There has been a decided shift of attitude on intoxicating alcohol within Christendom. Lumpins notes that "Even though a century ago the church was certain imbibing was a carnal evil, it remains certain no longer." p.19. The need for this book is clear as proponents of abstinence of intoxicating alcoholic drink are routinely dismissed with accusations of following tradition or advancing personal opinion as Biblical truth. But one can clearly see that rather than church influencing culture, culture has now influenced the church in the debate today. For history junkies like me, his chapter on Prohibition is fascinating as he closes section one. In the second section, Lumpkins moves from history to disseminating the five distinct positions, attitudes, and arguments regarding the pleasurable use of intoxicating drink. The reader will be presented with logical argument and reasoning as well as fallacies or shortcomings of any position but abstinence. This is an intellectual exercise that many fail to make when asserting opinions about any issue. The author has not failed here in using sound logic and reason when discussing these five positions on this subject. When addressing the usual chorus defending intoxicating drink, he rightly notes that "Such simplistic, inadequate, and unstudied conclusions boldly pronounced by preachers of the Book without one shred of argument pertaining to imbibing intoxicating substances for pleasurable use remains frightening for the church, not to mention culture." p. 52. Finally, the author then goes to the authoritative source in section three: Scripture. This is not the first usage of the Word that Lumpkins uses, quite the contrary. But this is where he deals exclusively with what the Bible says about the subject. He does not disappoint the reader in that he addresses the "difficult" passages and words that opponents of abstinence like to use as proof texts. His research into the etymological linguistics of various words for wine in Scripture and their contemporary sources in antiquity is impressive and will be difficult for the moderationist to answer, if not impossible. Lumpkins does his research in that he even demonstrates that the English word for wine has changed. The etymological arguments are very compelling. He rightly asserts that "Given the impressive evidence to the contrary, how we manage to possibly assume wine in Scripture necessarily and always refers to intoxicating beverages remains inexplicable. Indeed this may be the grandest hermeneutical hoax of the ages." p.120.

Alcohol Today: Abstinence In An Age Of Indulgence is a must read for anyone who wants to seriously examine the issue of a Biblical view regarding intoxicating alcoholic drink.

I enjoyed this book immensely and thought it was extremely well researched and very timely. The author presents excellent and exhaustive research as to why abstinence is not only the moral choice, but also what should be done as a Christian. He presents this view, for abstinence vs. moderation, and the evidence for this position, in a clear and objective manner. Kudos to the author for approaching and conquering such a hot topic among many Christians today.

My copy is being passed on to my son who is going into ministry - I'm sure he'll be able to use the author's research in the future.

Dr. Peter Lumpkins has hit a home run. Along with his trademark, colloquial manner, Peter has infused this work with cogent historical scholarship which makes the convictions expressed both accessible and formidable. He astutely outlines the issue and presents an accurate characterizations of all possible points of view concerning the matter of intoxicating beverages and Christian morality while arguing decisively for his assertion that Christians ought not have anything to do with intoxicants, specifically the drug of alcohol. This is a must read for all Christians who struggle with this issue.

I loved this book! The author has taken great steps to research and present the belief that abstinence is not only the moral thing to do, but the necessary thing to do for the christian. His presentation is clear, objective, and written with humble restraint. I am so very appreciative to the author for writing such a needed book...and I now know that I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with giants who, after laborious study, have concluded that abstinence, not moderation, is how we should view consuming intoxicating beverages for pleasurable purposes.