Vacation, busyness, and other things have kept me from posting for quite a while. Beginning with this week, I hope to resume my efforts to post twice a week.
Bishop Emeritus Donald N. Bastian has written a wonderful booklet about why those in the Wesleyan family of churches typically do not drink alcoholic beverages. The booklet is called, Beer, Wine & Spirits: What's the Big Deal, and is published by Light and LIfe Communications and is available here. In the past, so I am told, good reasons were commonly known among our church members for abstaining, but not so anymore. With both young and old asking "Why not?", a restatement of the old (and still valid!) reasons is due. Bastian has provided good, introductory answers to those questions in a booklet designed for the average person who needs a brief but quality overview of why abstinence from alcohol is a good stance to take.
His reasons can be summarized as follows, and I will not elaborate on them because I could end up summarizing the whole 21-page booklet!:
1. To avoid alcohol's destructive effects
2. To avoid hindering ministry to those who struggle with alcohol-related problems
3. To avoid being a cause for stumbling in another Christian's walk with God
4. To honor God with our bodies
Notice how the first three all have to do with loving others, and the last has to do with loving God? Sounds like sanctification to me. As Bastian writes,
"The destructive effect of alcohol on individuals and, in fact, on society as a whole is the primary reason we in the Wesleyan tradition take a clear abstinence position. We abstain out of love" (page 13).
Here is his son's way of turning down a drink at social functions: he declines, then says, if asked why, "I've taken a vow" (page 12). That answer has never failed to satisfy the questioner.
This little booklet is only $1.50. Buy a few for your church lobby and one for yourself. It is a solid tool for ministry and for developing personal conviction.



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