You know this argument has raged for years and years and is fruitless really, first of all if the guests at the wedding were drunk they must have had fermented wine but to me the issue is causing a brother to stumble, why as a born again person would you want to drink any kind of strong drink, and take the chance of being stopped by the police or whatever, in the state of Washington two glasses of wine would put you in trouble, and after even a single glass of sparkling wine you are ever so slightly over the edge.
In our Charismatic churches that have all of a sudden become drinkers a little bit of wine and a little bit of clothes leads to a lot of trouble.
I was at a conference the other day in Wales and it was attended by a large number of new Charismatic Pastors, out of the 12 only 3 of us did not drink, the Pastors wife of one of the largest Charismatic churches in the world today is a drinker, I just pray that she is never stopped by the police, DUI Pastors wife!!!!!

Dr. Patterson states "In strict fairness, one must acknowledge that the ancients imbibed without reluctance." Then Patterson makes an unsubstantiated claim that the water-into-wine produced by Jesus must have been grape juice. He asserts, "Furthermore, the ancients always acknowledged that the best oinos was the unfermented oinos".
What? Traditionally, every culture, modern and ancient, celebrates weddings with fermented wine and esteems it to be the best fruit of the vine.
Failure to cite valid references for his inferences makes this article non-relevant to non-choir members. When the choir is preached to, indoctrination takes place instead of teaching. When the choir meets the world they lack the means to teach what the world needs to hear.
Also, why the baffling use of scripture? The skeptic is quick to notice "not given to drunkenness", as stated in 1 Tim 3:3, is not the equivalent of Patterson's translation, translation, translation, “The bishop is to be free from wine”.
Does Christianity.com review submissions and provide editorial assistance to authors prior to posting their articles?

I agree with this article for the most part, except for the part where the author says no one is sure if Jesus drank the wine.

In the Scriptures, priests were forbidden to even look at strong drink, much less drink it. Since Jesus was the High Priest after the Order of Melchisidec, he would be violating the Law by drinking any fermented wine. If he drank anything, it would have to be the new wine just made.

Also fermentation in the bible is the symbol for sin and decay.Just like the jews could not eat unlevened bread during Passover, it was the same with wine.

So with can say with certainty that Jesus did not drink strong drink, and when he changed the water into wine, it was the new unfermented wine.

The Bible states very clearly, "Be not drunk with wine" It does NOT say you can not drink. It states do not drink to excess and get drunk.

IN ACTS-WE READ THAT PETER INSTRUCTS HIS THE CREW OF MEN BOUND FOR THE COAST OF GREESE . '' TO TAKE WINE AS YOU ARE SUBJECT TO ALL KINDS OF AILMENTS ''. FOR THE FIRST TIME THERE IS A REFERENCE TO WINE BEING A HEALING TOOL AND PREVENTING SUCH AILMENTS .
THE HARDENED SPIRITS HAVE NO REAL USEAGE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE SO IT BECOMES THE BRANCH OF OUR LIVES . PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY THAT BARES NO FRUIT AND THERE FOR --IF WE LET GOD PRUNE IT---DESTENED FOR THE FIRE .
WINE HAS BECOME CULTURERAL AND IS A LONG TRADITION THESE ARE TOUGH TO OVER COME TO SAY THE LEAST . IT IS TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE GRAPE JUICE FOR COMMUNION AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVE IT IS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST .
NOW FOR THOSE THAT CAN ACCEPT''COLD TURKEY'' PRUNNING THERE OWN TREE-THIS IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD-WHY CAN WE NOT SUPPORT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.ASK IN PRAYER WHAT GOD WANTS .

In reference to Paige Patterson, editors note. So, Southern Baptist Convention approved a resolution which was that no one can drink alcohol. TOO funny, they can't have a glass of WINE, but they can be members of the Shriners or Masonic order, which both are HEATHEN. OK SBC, lets get your act together.
Thank you for hearing me.
In God I Trust,
Mary

I believe the sin is in excessive drink, not in a drink...As a matter of fact, I believe excessive anything is a sin, gluttony, too much adoration of anything would be approaching idolotry....

There is a thread discussing the article HERE:

http://faithcommunitynetwork.com/Concerning_Alcoholic_Beverages/m_4458237/mpage_1/tm.htm#0

In this she shows her absolute ignorance of timing, or the customs of the day. The blessing said over the cup of either wine or grapejuice is this: (in english) Blessed are You O Lord, Our God, King of the universe who creates the "fruit of the vine." In refering to ceremonial wine, the term "fruit of the vine" is always used.

As she herself stated, the fermentation process starts almost immediatly and after a couple of weeks following the grape harvest (late fall) any fresh juice would be unavailable. So for Jesus and the disciples to somehow find fresh unfermented grape juice in the spring (5-6 months later) would be (barring an undocumented miracle) impossible.

If it causes this much questioning, I think you should not do it. We are waisting lots of Gods time on this issue. Just put it down and walk away. I think if you have to wonder and think and pray about something so much, maybe you don't need to do it. ASK YOURSELF "How does this glorify God?"

Throughout over 30 years of active ministry I've visited this topic as a pastor and member of numerous congregations subject to pastoral leadership, as a teacher and student subject to a teacher's instruction, and as one fully aware of Biblical teaching and context of the same. I take issue with most arguments offered from both sides of this concern, mainly because they almost without exception avoid the simple truth of the Gospel that brings us all to God's mercy through His grace alone and not by any means of our own actions. We are drawn to Him by His grace, we find our salvation by His grace, and we will reach our final home by His grace...alone. Apart from that fact no good can ever come from anyone's life, regardless of the presence or absence of any vice. As all comes from Him and is for His pleasure and His glory, does it not seem a bit arrogant on our own part to take His sovereignty out of the picture by claiming such a negative result will always result from drinking?

I grew up being taught that alcohol was a sin. I grew up being taught that the wine was not really wine, it was grape juice. *sigh* I am so glad to be free of all this legalism. I am attending a SBC church now. I'm not sure I want to join now since I do not agree with the resolution passed in 06.

I think that this was a well-researched article with both biblical and historical support. Whether I agree with his conclusion or not I have to admit that this topic is highly volatile among Christians and has no easy answer. I have heard godly men on each side of the issue. A warning to myself and others is the verse that says, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1Cor. 10;12 and "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18 Don't think that addiction and/or abuse cannot happen to you - that would be pride. Let us humbly and honestly live our conviction before God and others.