Subject: New Wine vs. Fermented |
Bible Note: Hi, MJH... Dr. Bill Jones stated once that the wine of Bible times was usually mingled (i.e., mixed with water). He said that the alcoholic content was such that it would effect the bladder more quickly than it would cause inebriation. He asserted that the alcohol content was much less than what it is in a bottle of the typical modern equivalent. I don't know where Jones got his information. Clearly, however, we aren't talking about the kind of alcohol content of distilled spirits! Distillation wasn't invented until quite a few centuries later, unless one counts the "Mongolian still" which requires pretty chilly weather. Nevertheless, it brings up the question about the difference between wine, new wine, and strong drink in Scripture. Do you have any details about the distinctions? Thank you for your contributions to the forum, MJH! In Him, Doc PS I attended a Presbyterian church for some time. They used fermented wine and encouraged its use. However, they always made grape juice available for those who wished to abstain for "conscience sake." I always appreciated that. Frankly, the odor of the fermented wine always reminded me of a past that I'd just as soon forget! PSS Have you ever noticed that elders are to be "not given to wine" (1 Tim 3:3, Titus 1:7), whereas deacons and aged women are to be "not given to MUCH wine" (1 Tim 3:8, Titus 2:3)? |