Adrian Rogers on Alcohol, Drinking, Wine

Adrian Rogers (AD 1931-2005) was the well-known pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee. He was three times elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention and was a leader in the SBC Conservative Resurgence. His radio, TV, book ministry has reached around the world and continues today. He is one of the best for young, and not so young preachers, to learn from today. Get his books and listen to his sermons. 

What did Adrian Rogers believe about alcohol, drinking, wine? 
Some of his quotes are below. 

“The most dangerous drug in America is beverage alcohol. Number one because of it’s acceptance. Number two, because of it’s availability. Number three, because of the effect that it has upon our hearts and our lives and the misery that it brings.” 

“The Bible uses the word wine in two difference senses. The word wine may mean that which may intoxicate you, or it may mean that which may not intoxicate you. The word wine in the Bible may refer to that which is fermented, or that which is not fermented; that which has alcoholic content or that which does not have alcoholic content.”

“God says not to look on it, but to the contrary, we are to shun it when it is fermented (Proverbs 23:31).”

“When a bunch of grapes are hanging on the vine, it’s called wine (Isaiah 65:8).”

“They knew how to check the fermentation of grape juice.”

On the Old Testament Hebrew word for wine, “Yayin may mean that which intoxicates, or that which does not intoxicate (Isaiah 16:10; Proverbs 20:1).”
“The word yayin is a generic word.”  

“You are going to have to find out from the context, where the Bible says wine, whether it means that which is intoxicating or whether it isn’t.”

On the New Testament Greek word for wine, oinos. “That too may mean that which is intoxicating or that which is not intoxicating.”

“When you read the word wine in the New Testament, you can only know by the context whether or not it means that which can make you drunk. It does not always mean that which will make you drunk. It frequently means that which is not intoxicating.”

“Did Jesus turn water into wine? Jesus turned water into oinos. Is that the kind of drink that would make a person drunk? Of course not!”
“Do you think Jesus had anything to do with making people drunk? If you do, you don’t know the Jesus that I know.”

“Didn’t Jesus serve wine at the Lord’s Supper? No!”

“Time magazine said alcohol is involved in one half of all murders.”

“Have you ever stopped to think what the word intoxicated means? It means you have toxins put in.”
“When a man is intoxicated he has poisoned himself.”

“Liquor and immorality go together.”
“Liquor removes the inhibitions.” 

“Moderation is not the answer to the liquor problem, in most cases it’s the cause of it.”
“It is the moderate drinker that encourages other people to drink.” 
“You may be very surprised at who you may hurt with your ability to hold your liquor.”

“The position of a man, woman, boy or girl ought to be total abstinence.”
“If you don’t drink, don’t start!”   

“These Scriptures (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35) tell us, I believe plainly and clearly, that the Christian’s position, so far as beverage alcohol is concerned, is total abstinence.” -Adrian Rogers (AD 1931-2005), pastor, author, SBC president. lwf.org

These quotes come from Adrian P. Rogers sermon, The Battle of the Bottle, parts 1&2; Messages 1015 & 1016.  Available at:

Love Worth Finding Ministries
 P.O. Box 38300, Memphis, TN 38183
901/382-7900
lwf.org

Learn more and get more information on this biblical view of alcohol from the book:
Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence
In this book Adrian Rogers and many others are quoted. You will also find a wealth of reference material and illustrations. 

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 29, AD 2016.

Note: Observe Substance Abuse Sunday, March 20, 2016.

More articles:
Wine for Your Stomach's Sake; 1 Timothy 5:23
The Problem With Drunk Preachers
Problem Drinking Outside The USA
Deuteronomy 14:26 - Does it Commend Alcohol?
Adrian Rogers on "Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow"
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Why We Don't Use Alcohol For The Lord's Supper
Why Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Ancient Wine Production and the Bible
Many more articles in lower right margin.