Photo: freeimages.co.uk

Graham Wilkins thinks drink

Dear Christis,

As a Christian who likes a drink now and then I felt obliged to reply to Lizzie Grant's article "I'd rather have a sparkling mineral water, please" (Christis, issue 89). I agree totally that Christians should not get drunk. However, the article seemed to suggest that if it is looked at Biblically there is only one possible outcome, and that is that not a drop of anything stronger than a Ribena should pass our lips. I would like to raise some points from the other side of the fence!

Firstly, in the article, the author states that "Luke said of Jesus, "he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth" " and attributed this to be from Luke 1:15. However, a quick look at this passage will explain that this is actually referring to John the Baptist (note verse 13: "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.") This isn't just me being pedantic; it means that the author cannot claim this to be concrete evidence that Jesus didn't drink. In addition to this, if we look later on in the Gospel of Luke we find the following words of Jesus: "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners'." " (Luke 7:33-34)

Now, I don't know if our Lord ever had a tipple or not, but this above passage surely begs the question, if he didn't drink, why did he so powerfully contrast his eating and drinking habits with John the Baptist who did not drink wine?

Secondly, the author of the article states that when Jesus turned water into wine at Cana (see John 2:1-10), none of the people who drank the wine were believers. Now when she says this I presume she meant that none of them had as yet confessed Christ as Lord, because there is no mention anywhere in the Bible that neither Jesus, Mary nor any of the disciples had a tipple.

I am not suggesting that I have all the answers, or indeed any of them. All I am trying to do is to look from the other side of the fence and to say that the evidence is not as clear cut as the article seems to make it, so, before you throw away your pint glasses for good, I urge you to take a look at the options yourself and not rely on other people's opinions. But let us remember in all this, that as St. Paul himself says, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Graham Wilkins

Tom Hardy thinks outside the box

Dear Christis,

In general I think your magazine is very well produced, and I enjoyed several of the articles. However, James Porter's 'Outside', prompts some comment from me. The comment that follows his story "offers the Biblical solution to those who would try to trap Christians with their attitude to homosexuality. It is wrong, but we should offer forgiveness and love anyway." Does he mean that the Christian objection to homosexuality is wrong, but should be tolerated? If, as I suspect, he means that homosexuality is wrong, it seems he should ask his earlier question of himself "What has happened to society that someone who considers himself to be progressive to say such a thing?"(sic). Terms like "wrong" seem directly to contradict his assertion that "We are in no place to judge as we are all sinners." That he "cracked" and felt the need to tell people how to interpret his story not only reveals the limitations of his parable. It is symptomatic of the way 'evangelical' Christianity forces singular interpetations of the contents of the Bible. Since he proposes himself a progressive, what is progressive about telling people what to think? What, indeed, is Christian about excluding people because of their particular sexuality? What is progressive about following such an ancient book as the Bible so literally that it prohibits the inclusion of all, which is surely the most Christian aspiration?

Tom Hardy

Hilary Blake thinks Christis is great

Dear Christis,

This morning I decided not to go to church but to stay at home and tidy my room as I was beginning to forget what my carpet and desk looked like. I had a vague idea that I could spend some time in prayer or contemplation alone as well. Buried deep in a pile of papers on my desk I found issue 89 of Christis and I was touched by two of the articles more than I've been touched by a church service in a long time. The articles by Helen Bourne and Ayeesha Bhutta were really helpful. Too often in church a preacher doesn't really talk about their own emotions, experiences and doubts. I know that the minister at my church has studied New Testament Greek, but I don't know much about his own journey of faith, the problems he has overcome or is still struggling with or how he came to be a Christian. I feel that too often us Christians, especially church leaders, are scared to admit that we are vulnerable, we don't have all the answers and we don't always understand why we have faith. I'm not advocating staying home alone reading Christis instead of going to church every Sunday, but I'd like to thank Helen and Ayeesha for their articles, for their honesty and willingness to share some personal thoughts and feelings with a wider audience, including people they don't know and might never meet (although I'm fortunate enough not to be in that category).

Hilary Blake