MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

So… WWJB: What Would Jesus Brew?

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Tue, October 28, 2008
Viewed 37
(10) comments so far

“It’s the oldest story ever told—the struggle between good and evil,” said Arthur, 35, a product of Catholic schools in his native San Diego. “There is a battle being waged between those who make good beer and those who make evil beer.”

Without question, unholy excess is in evidence anytime 18,000 gallons of alcohol is served to 46,000 people over three days. See: women in Bavarian maid outfits and “Beer Pong” tables.

Yet perhaps surprisingly, God could be found at last week’s Great American Beer Festival—in the crassly commercial, in homage to religion’s long history in brewing, in needling faiths that turn a suspect eye on drinking, and (if the prophet of home-brewing is to be believed) at the bottom of every glass.

While alcohol and religion don’t always mix, no less a figure than Benjamin Franklin once said: “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Just for fun:

According to CNN: Shortly after the doors opened on the 27th Great American Beer Festival, a crowd congregated at the booth offering that and other pours from The Lost Abbey of San Marcos, California, where the tap handle is a Celtic cross and the legacy of beer-brewing monks endures.

Standing under a banner promising "Inspired beers for Saints and Sinners Alike," proprietor and former altar boy Tomme Arthur had a confession: He's using God to sell some beer...

Comments

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shane on Tue, October 28, 2008

After reading the post about Dr. White and the pill I came over here to have a few.

Yes I do have a beer or two know and then, even when reading the bible and I still love God and He still loves me, no guilt here….thank you Jesus, a round for everyone!
Brian L. on Tue, October 28, 2008

An interesting question, since Jesus brewed wine on at least on occasion.
Stretch Mark Mama on Tue, October 28, 2008

I’ve seen that shirt worn around here (Pacific NW). What’s more…serving beer or wine at home group is socially acceptable.

[The scandal!]
Josh R on Tue, October 28, 2008

I do think it is a tragedy that Jesus, the Homebrewer, would be driven out of several American Denominations.
fishon on Tue, October 28, 2008

Dang, I guess I won’t be attending that “home group.” I take it it would be a Christian home group, and the stumbling block would be to much for me—truely.

fishon
Peter Hamm on Tue, October 28, 2008

I’m also of the opinion that alcohol in moderation is perfectly acceptable, but there is a point behind what fishon says. I will bend over backwards to not cause my liberty to be a stumbling block for someone else. If that means no brew at home group… no problem…

fishon, we almost kinda agree again… there must be four horsemen on the way…
fishon on Tue, October 28, 2008

Peter,

Surprise, surprise. I too have little problem with a little brew in moderation. Not for this one time drunk to indulge who has been set free from its powers; however, not totally from its alluring. That being said, that stance does present its own set of problems, amongst those, as you put is well, “...be[ing] a stumbling block for someone else.”

I think I hear the horses pounding as they are approaching.

fishon
Brian L. on Tue, October 28, 2008

POUND, POUND, POUND!

I also feel that there is no Scriptural admonition against moderate drinking. It is clear that drunkenness is prohibited.

I belong to a denomination that at this point still requires abstinence from its members, although there is some fine print that makes some allowances in situations where refusing might actually build walls instead of bridges.
Bathroom Wall Decor on Tue, October 28, 2008

“Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

If this is true, then we have to thank God for beer, right? Thank you God!
Danny Rogers on Mon, November 03, 2008

Beer at my small group is not a stumbling block. But chocolate chip cookies are since a few of us are overweight. Funny how we rarely address that aspect of sin.