Customer Reviews

God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About Alcohol

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I found this volume to be well written and, unlike other materials I've read on the subject, written with an irenic spirit.

Gentry is a moderationist (i.e., he believes the Bible approves of the moderate consumption of wine) and does not seek to press an agenda for Christians (in fact, he himself does not drink because of medical problems). Rather he engages in a study of the various passages and teachings in the Bible related to the subject alcohol, and he interacts significantly with brothers of both the prohibitionist and abstentionist persuasions, especially Stephen Reynolds, author of The Biblical Approach to Alcohol and _Alcohol and the Bible_ (Amazon doesn't carry it).

Unfortunately, some of the discussion herein is rather more technical than the casual reader may want, but that is merely a mark of Gentry's thoroughness in answering his critics. Moreover, the case Gentry presents is both convincing and responsible, and the section on Christian liberty provides an some good help for the natural questions that arise in the heart of the sensitive believer who wants neither to offend his weaker brother nor to ignore God's good gifts. (The suggested companion volume, Drinking With Calvin and Luther! by Jim West, is very weak in the area of Christian Liberty, in my opinion.)

In brief, I recommend this book particularly for pastors and elders who wish to shepherd their flock responsibly and also for laymen with an interest in the subject.

Let us praise God for his many blessings to us look forward to the feast Isaiah told us of (25:6):

"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine-
the best of meats and the finest of wines."

With the same exegetical, hermeneutical, and theological precision he brings to his other works on biblical topics, Kenneth Gentry provides an able-bodied defense of moderate alcoholic consumption by the Christian "to the glory of God." Like all other blessings that God rains down, alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, etc.) stands as one of them and can either be enjoyed as a blessing or abused and thus become a curse. The blessings that God intends to bring people so that they may praise him instead can become idols that people "run after."

The prohibitionist position cannot be substantiated from Scripture. The attempts that Stephen Reynolds and others offer fall far short and many times import theological presuppositions into the various texts that they seek to use to defend their position. Reynolds' exegesis of Jesus' turning the water into wine in John 2 had to be one of the worst handling of a biblical text I have ever seen. [If this is seen to be an impious statement on my part, it is equally impious to wreck the biblical text to reflect a position that simply cannot be founded.] The master of the banquet would not have said, "you have saved the best till now," concerning unfermented grape juice. In addition, the Gospel says that this act of Jesus "revealed his glory." How do you deal with this?

What is interesting is that the same hermeneutic used to defend prohibition is similar to that of defending classical dispensationalism. One has to jump through many hoops to defend either position and it is not surprising that many prohibitionists are also (classical) dispensationalists.

Gentry's brief exposition of Romans 14 is excellent and should put to rest any notion of the term "stumble" simply meaning "irritate," "annoy," or "upset." One does not even have to look at the Greek in this case (although it is great that Gentry does) if one remembers Jesus' words in Matthew 18:6: but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (ESV). The King James uses "offend" in place of "causes to sin." These are no light words. Paul is using similar terminology in Romans 14 when he uses "stumble," meaning sin that can lead one astray from God (apostatize). That is why the "strong" should use wisdom when in the presence of the "weak."

In the final chapter of the book, Gentry states that he does not encourage people to drink recreationally, but simply lays out what the Bible says about it, leaving it to the individual Christian whether to partake or abstain. When it comes to Communion, wine is fully acceptable since this was what was used at its institution by Jesus. However, for those who have certain medical conditions (like Gentry) or for younger believers, grape juice is acceptable in order that all may partake of the Supper.

This book is the only completely honest examination of wine and alcohol from a Biblical point of view. Mr. Gentry seeks what all the Bible, "the whole counsel of God" says rather than just one or two verses which justify a subjective position.

I highly recommend this book to all Christians. Remember, if drinking moderately is a sin, then you do not have a Saviour. Please check out this book.

Excellent book! Ever wonder why some preachers say alcohol is sinful and preach so forcefully against it? Why do they skip verses when wine or alcohol is mentioned positively in the Bible? Why not read all the verses in the context of the passage?

Answer: They have no Biblical basis for their stand against wine or alcohol in moderation. Perhaps it is easier for them to preach against the drink than the drunkard or drunkenness.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!

I owe a great debt to Kenneth L. Gentry for his work on the subject of eschatology such as his book "Before Jerusalem Fell." He has written a host of works on eschatology which have significantly aided my understanding of the Book of Revelation and apocalyptic passages such in Daniel 9, Matthew 24 and Luke 21. For any serious student of eschatology, especially if you are of the Reformed tradition, his works are a "must read."

However, Gentry has written another work "God Gave Wine" (Oaktown: Lincoln California, 2001) which is a "must read," not for students of eschatology but rather for Christians who consider themselves to be enophiles. I live in the San Francsico Bay Area, which for a person who enjoys great food and wine is like being a surfer who lives in Southern California or a skier who lives in Aspen Colorado. I live an hour from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, two hours from the Gold Rush Wine Country in the Sierra Foothills, ninety minutes from the Monterey Wine Country and only twenty minutes from the Livermore Wine Country and the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries.

Consequently, Gentry's book "God Gave Wine" is of great interest to me not merely as a thorough exegetical and theological treatment of an important ethical issue, but rather as a means of increasing my thankfulness to God for His gift of wine. Ken Gentry's book is not merely about the Biblical defense of Christians drinking moderate amounts of wine, but rather it is about recognizing wine for what it truly is - a gift of God.

In his book Gentry describes the three views on the subject as: The prohibitionist position which "maintains that Christians should universally avoid alcoholic beverages as unfit for human consumption." (pg. 3). The second view is the abstentionist position which "maintains that although Scripture does not expressly forbid alcoholic beverages in toto, alcohol consumption in our society today is nevertheless imprudent and should not be condoned" (pg. 5). The third position, which Gentry defends, is the moderationist view which "maintains that alcoholic beverages are permitted to Christians if moderately consumed and in a circumspect manner" (pg. 6).

Gentry's exegesis of the relevant texts on this issue is excellent and his arguments are quite logical and convincing for anyone who hasn't already determined to add another commandment to the Bible. That being said, while I herald his work as a masterful work of exegesis and discussion on the subject of consuming wine I think he doesn't go far enough in exhorting his readers. The conclusion that one must come to if Gentry's treatment of the Bible and the subject is correct is that not only are Christians free to enjoy moderate consumption of wine, but they are commanded to do so in partaking of the Lord's Supper. In addition, those who deny this freedom are in danger of asserting a theological heresy. If drinking wine is a sin, as the abstentionist asserts, then Jesus is a sinner since He Himself not only drank wine (Matt 11:19) but He also made large quantities of it for others to enjoy! (John 2:1-11). Consequently, if Jesus is a sinner then He cannot be the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Consequently, the abstentionist view is not merely a legalistic encroachment on the liberty of the Christian but it borders on a Christological heresy.

For more articles on theology and wine see my web site: http://www.erikwait.com/

Erik Wait

I first read the review of this book over at Bob Hayton's blog and really enjoyed the review and the seemingly thoroughness that Gentry seemed to put forth in the discussion. Because of that Bob and I did a book swap (he received The Reason for God from me) and what I found is exactly what I was hoping.

Kenneth Gentry is a Presbyterian, theonomist and preterist. So, while I don't agree with all his theological convictions, I was still interested in his understanding of this sometimes sensitive topic among Christians. While he doesn't drink anymore because of a medical condition, when he was able to, he only drank about 4 to 5 glasses of wine per year. The reason I say this is that Gentry's book is not put forth for him to be able to continue in a habit that wasn't breakable. This book is simply to show what the Scriptures say about wine and strong drink.

If I were to ask Dr. Gentry to outline the book how I would have desired, I don't think I would have any changes in how he specifically lays this book out. It is exactly what I was looking for.

The chapters are as follows:

1. Introductory Matters

Here, Gentry simply lays out the three main convictions on Alcohol: prohibitionists, abstentionists and the moderationist. He also tells a little about the three authors that he will be refuting throughout the rest of the book as they have been the ones to most loudly try and refute the biblical understanding of drinking and the Bible.

2. The Bible and Alcohol Abuse

Gentry makes sure, in this chapter, that he speaks out against alcoholism and drunkenness. He lays this out so that no one confuses the moderationist as one who condones drinking without regard.

3. The Old Testament and Alcohol Use

This chapter is exactly as the heading alludes to. Gentry goes through the three different terms that are used for alcohol in the OT: yayin, shekar, tirosh and 'asis. He shows how each of these are alcoholic and that none of them simply mean grape juice or some watered down wine.

4. The New Testament and Alcohol Use

This chapter flows directly from the previous one. Here Gentry speaks on the verses that use the two terms for wine in the Greek: oinos and gleukos. He then goes into showing that the Lord's Supper used alcoholic wine, that Jesus drank wine and that Paul and apostles never allude to the prohibition against wine. He spends some time on the miracle of Cana and dispels any myths regarding the "old wine" vs "new wine."

5. Alleged Negative Passages

Gentry takes head on the passages that might seem at first glance to be in the negative, but in fact are far from it. The passages that Gentry spends time on are Leviticus 10:8-11; Numbers 6:2-6; Judges 13:4; Proverbs 20:1; 21:17; 23:31-32; Isaiah 5:21-22; Jeremiah 35:6; Hosea 7:5. He takes each one of these and makes sure the reader sees the context and points to the overall understanding of them. Very good chapter.

6. Bible Teaching on Christian Liberty

After one is done reading the previous 5 chapters, one could still appeal to the fact that it isn't whether or not we can drink alcohol, but should we drink because of our culture and weaker brother. Gentry spends much of this chapter in Romans 14 breaking down the understanding of this passage and also Pauline theology of weaker brothers elsewhere. He also draws from the fact of Christ drinking and the apostles drinking for further reason why total abstention isn't the answer to this.

7. Common Objections Considered

The objections after all else is said, have almost been answered already. Here he handles the objection of the following:

The Potential Alcoholic
How Much is Too Much?
Alcohol and Health
Alcohol and the Christian Witness
Thinning Wine with Water (he destroys this notion and makes it almost laughable from a Scriptural standpoint)

Overall this book is very well done. Gentry takes the reader to almost, if not every verse that deals with wine and strong drink in the Bible. The conclusion one should come to after the reading and understanding of the Hebrew, Greek and context should be that the Christian is not to be held to a prohibition of alcohol. I personally know of some who have decided to abstain for their own reasons and that is their conviction and one that they hold for themselves and not others. But, to preach against alcohol and plead with Scripture for proof, one will come away looking quite silly. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know what the Bible says about alcohol and how it was used in the Scriptures. Highly Recommended

I borrowed this book from a friend of mine at church, and I found it to be an excellent defense of the moderationist position with regards to drinking alcohol. The book provides a logical analysis of the biblical record as to the biblical justice of drinking alcohol in moderation, critiques the abstentionist and prohibitionist views (though not unfairly), even though the author (and I, personally) are not given to drink. For those seeking to understand the biblical position on drinking alcohol in a logical, fair, and dispassionate manner, this book succeeds excellently. I highly recommend it.

Written by one who doesn't drink due to health concerns, God Gave Wine takes a non-biased approach to the issue. What does the Bible really say about alcoholic drink? Contrary to the popular opinion of many American evangelical Christians, the Bible does not expressly forbid the drinking of alcoholic drinks, such as wine or "strong drink". Rather, it forbids in no uncertain terms, the abuse of alcohol.

Drunkenness is never viewed as a disease, instead it is incumbent on men not to become drunk with wine. Drunkenness is a sin worthy of eternal damnation. It is expressly forbidden and counseled against. Yet the moderate enjoyment of wine is not only allowed, but encouraged.

Kenneth Gentry deals with each relevant passage exegetically and fairly. He traces the Biblical meanings of the words employed for "wine" and other alcoholic drinks. He reveals the circular reasoning behind the two wine theory, that the Bible has two kinds of wine in view (alcoholic, and non-alcoholic) even as it employs only one term. The same wine the Bible warns can lead to drunkenness, is the wine the Bible praises as a gift from God for man's enjoyment.

As Christians, we should all care most about what God says on any given issue. Arguments from wisdom and expediency are important, but the express teaching of God's Word is final. Gentry explores the many arguments from principle that Christians use to avoid completely anything alcoholic. He finds these arguments wanting, after a verse by verse study of Romans 14.

If you care about the truth, and if you care about Scripture, you should pick up this book and read it. The traditions of godly men of old are important, but God's Word is more so. Historically, the avoidance of all alcoholic drink is relatively new, and today is primarily restricted to American Christians. When you see what Scripture has to say, Itself, on this topic, you will at least have more leniency in your views concerning this important issue.

As one who was converted (through a study of Scripture) to the moderate use of God-given wine, I can testify that many Christians drink with joy to the glory of God. Drinking does not make one more apt to sin, nor does it reveal that one has worldly desires. No matter how you conclude on this topic, it would be to your credit to interact with and at least consider what Kenneth Gentry says in this helpful, carefully written, concise book on wine.

If you have questions on the subject of Christians and alcohol, get this book, it is excellent.

A wonderful, informative book with a focused scriptural approach to joyful Christianity. Surely the "gold standard" for those interested how current cultural fads do not need to impact the timeless values of Christian believers.