“Four decades ago when I responded to God’s call to the gospel ministry, the thought that theologically conservative Baptist leaders would discuss the wisdom of alcohol consumption among Christians much less pastors never would have entered my mind.
“But this very debate is bubbling to the surface now in our day when the culture around us more and more invades the church instead of the church being the salt and light we are called to be.
“This volume will be a valued resource to those who hold to abstinence, a way to engage the debate for those who do not, and a vital encouragement to young Christians who are seeking to make their own way through this debate. Read it and reap.”
-O. S. Hawkins, president, GuideStone Financial Resources, SBC. Endorsement of the book, Alcohol Today.
Book Signing with Peter Lumpkins & Jerry VinesI’ll say more about Alcohol Today later. Just wanted to remind anyone going to the Pastor’s Conference and Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky about an important book signing.
Peter Lumpkins and Jerry Vines will be present for a Book Signing Monday, June 22, 2009 from 11 am - 12 noon. The Book Signing will take place in the LifeWay Bookstore part of the SBC Display area.
The book is Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence, Hannibal Books, 2009; $14.95. It is written by Peter Lumpkins; the Foreword is written by Jerry Vines. Lord willing, I will be at this Book Signing; hope you will be too. Alcohol Today should also be available for sale at the SBC LifeWay Bookstore throughout the convention.
This book represents one of the most needed messages for our SBC today. Buy it for yourself; buy it for your pastor, youth minister, teenagers.
Alcohol Today can be purchased directly from Peter Lumpkins at alcoholtoday.org or hannibalbooks.com (800/747-0738), amazon.com, or ordered from a bookstore near you. You might want to ask your local Christian bookstore to keep it in stock and buy it through them.
Note: I’ve been asked if non-pastors can attend the SBC Pastor’s Conference. The answer is yes. Anyone is welcome to attend this time of inspiration, great preaching and singing.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 15, AD 2009.
Related Articles:
Book Review of "Alcohol Today" by R. L. Sumner
Other articles at Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels) under "alcohol" at lower right hand margin.
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David,
ReplyDeleteI hope to buy my copy of "Alcohol Today" while in Lewey-ville, but not sure if I will make the signing. I am glad to see that you have joined the blogging community; for some time now I haved enjoyed your insightful comments on other blogs (especially on this subject).
Thank you Joe, your comments are very encouraging. I've also enjoyed your comments and the stand you have taken.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to bless your ministry. May He give you traveling grace to Louisville.
David R. Brumbelow
I guess I'll have to read the book to find out, but from the title I would assume that the author thinks that drinking alcohol is wrong for "today", while accepting that it was ok for the past 2000 years?
ReplyDeletePeter's book was a big disappointment. It is weak in dealing with the Scriptures. I would like to see a good Christian debate with Peter Lumpkins and _________ _____________ . I am not sure who would be best to do it. I doubt that Lumpkins would want to deal with Ken Gentry.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI’m assuming the previous comments were by the same anon. Hope you will reveal your identity later, I’ve revealed mine.
Yes, Alcohol Today is against social drinking and for total abstinence from beverage alcohol. (By the way, the book does not accept that drinking was OK for the last 2,000 years.) Southern Baptists and many others have held to abstinence for many years. They have good reason to, based on the Bible, common sense, medical knowledge and research, love for others, crime, accidents, STD’s thanks to the lessened inhibition and judgment immediately brought on by alcohol. I could go on, and will in future posts.
I’m well aware not all folks, and not all scholars will agree with this position. But I am convinced that Alcohol Today is well written and is backed up by much solid scholarly evidence. It is not weak in dealing with Scripture on alcohol. I believe Peter Lumpkins, and the scholars he cites could easily and successfully debate the best of the social drinking crowd. And in the final analysis, wouldn’t this world be a better place without the evil influence of a recreational, mind altering drug?
David R. Brumbelow
I have not had the opportunity to read this book but have just been introduced to O.S. tonight on a TBN broadcast this evening. I was impressed by his presence and decided to research him on the web so here I am. I have a very close friend who I met 3 yrs. ago & is recently saved due to our close friendship and my devotion to God. My presence in her life brought her to accept Christ and she is in her 50's I thank God that he placed me in her path & used me as His vessel to show her His love, that His light shines through me so that I can humbly serve Him & share His message with the people I meet throughout my life. She is an alcoholic & the day she went to the alter we were having a revival I invited her to come and join us for three days. She finally came on the last day and gave her life to Christ. That day she felt so strongly to leave her demon of alcohol on that alter and then satan came at her so strong that she picked it back up. He convinced her that she had to slowly take herself off of it because she was having such bad withdrawals. Now I can't convince her to stop. I have taken her in the recent past to a detox center watched her almost die in the E.R. taken her to a treatment center for a month taken her children while she was there and took care of them. I have spent so much time and prayer with her. I have even threatened to call the child authorities if she didn't stop drinking because it's destroying her & her family. The Dr. told her in the E.R. if she did not stop she would soon die because of other health issues that it is causing. She is a good loving woman & mother. She lost her husband very suddenly & unexpectedly & young and started to socially drink shortly after I met her. It was not long before she started drinking everyday to cope with her loss and the overwhelming stress of dealing with life after 30 years of marriage of being a stay home mom and her husband taking care of everything to her having to raise her 2 remaining teenagers still at home and having no job skills and not knowing anything about how to run a house or finances how to pay bills run a bank acct. or anything about how the outside world works. It was easier to just drink & ignore life altogether. This all started with a social drink. So I do believe that any substance that alters your mind alcohol included in any way should not be used, not just because of this experience with my friend, but because satan will use any means he can to influence our lives to go against the will of God. We can't discern what the will of God is if we are not thinking with a clear mind and a clean heart. I am very interested in reading this book I am glad that God called me to reseach O.S tonight. I was actually looking for another book of his called the Joshua Code that was spoken of on the program I saw tonight & God led me to this book as well. Thank you Jesus for always guiding me on the path in which I should go. Thank you O.S. for following your calling. I am blessed to have been introduced to you this evening. God bless you in your future endeavors keep up the good works for His kingdom.
ReplyDeleteMarsha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
I also have a high opinion of O. S. Hawkins and would recommend any of his books.
Also, I hope you will get Alcohol Today by Peter Lumpkins. It is well worth your time and money. It might also be a help to your friend struggling with alcohol.
These days all believers should have good books dealing with alcohol and drug use and biblical teaching about them. It's a great idea to donate them to libraries as well.
David R. Brumbelow