Beverage Alcohol By Louis Rushmore © 1998, 2007, Revised September 2008 Fourth Printing 10,000 Louis Rushmore 705 Devine Street Winona, MS 38967 (662) 283-9946 [email protected] [email protected] www.gospelgazette.com www.worldevangelism.org Cover Art By: Betty Burton Choate Published By: J.C. Choate Publications P.O. Box 72 Winona, MS 38967 (662) 283-1192 Special Edition Brethren Victor Durrington and Louis Rushmore, and sister Betty Burton Choate, through their collaborative efforts to finance and produce it, have made brother Rushmore’s book, Beverage Alcohol , available free as long as supplies last. Individuals may request this well-rounded and biblical treatment of so-called social drinking and pay only the shipping costs. Groups such as schools of preaching, college classes and congregations may also request free copies for 100% distribution to their members. This free offer is not for resale and only one copy per person, please. Some brethren value Beverage Alcohol as the best treatment of this critically important subject presently in print in our brotherhood. For your free copy, email brother Rushmore at rushmore@ gospelgazette.com or place your order online through Gospel Gazette Online (www.gospelgazette.com) at the “store” link. 3 Table of Contents ABOUT THE AUTHOR .............................................................. 5 PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT.................................................... 7 FOREWORD................................................................................. 8 PREFACE...................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 1: AN OVERVIEW ................................................ 11 CHAPTER 2: BIBLICAL CONSIDERATIONS..................... 19 CHAPTER 3: MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS..................... 26 CHAPTER 4: HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS............... 36 CHAPTER 5: SOCIAL DRINKING ........................................ 46 CHAPTER 6: BIAS FAVORING ALCOHOL ....................... 54 CHAPTER 7: UNDER THE INFLUENCE ............................ 61 CHAPTER 8: FERMENTATION VERSUS DISTILLATION .. 65 CHAPTER 9: INTOXICATION............................................... 71 CHAPTER 10: ALCOHOLISM................................................ 75 CHAPTER 11: ALCOHOL IN ONE’S DIET.......................... 77 CHAPTER 12: ADVOCACY FOR ALCOHOL REBUTTED .. 81 CHAPTER 13: SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS ................... 106 CHAPTER 14: GROWING UP WITH ALCOHOL............ 111 WORKS CITED........................................................................ 116 GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION............................................. 122 GOSPEL GAZETTE ONLINE ............................................... 123 WORLD EVANGELISM......................................................... 124 THE VOICE OF TRUTH INTERNATIONAL..................... 126 About the Author Louis Rushmore, a former Catholic, obeyed the Gospel in 1972 while in the United States Air Force. One year later (evening services on potluck Sunday), he preached his first sermon. After several months of preaching for various congregations by appointment, Louis accepted his first fulltime work in 1974. After realizing the need to in- crease his Bible knowledge, brother Rushmore enrolled in Memphis School of Preaching in 1975. Additional college work elsewhere emphasized journalism and public speaking. Over the last 30+ years, Louis Rushmore has preached by appointment or served congregations in several states east of the Mississippi River, Texas, Arkansas and Ontario, Canada. He has written hundreds of articles, many of which have appeared in various Gospel magazines, including Gospel Advocate , Gospel Gazette , Christian Bible Teacher , The Restorer , Therefore Stand , Unity in Truth , First Century Christian , Firm Foundation , West Virginia Christian , Power and Contending for the Faith . Louis has written several Bible class books: Church Divine ; Spirit Summarized ; Bible Geography ; Biblical Companions: Bible Geography, Archaeology & Sacred History ; Parables of Our Lord, Vols. 1 & 2 ; Our Restoration Heritage, Vols. 1 & 2 ; Biblical Variety, Esther, Ruth, Digging Up the Past and Cost of Discipleship . Brother Rushmore was an instructor at West Virginia School of Preaching for ten years, beginning in 1995. There, Louis taught Bible Geography , Acts , 1 Corinthians , 2 Corinthians , New Testament Church , James and English Grammar . He is available for and enjoys Gospel meetings and lectureships. Additional experience includes work with radio, television and the Internet. Louis is also past Associate Editor of a state right-to-life magazine. He is Editor of Gospel Gazette Online at www.gospelgazette.com (since 1999) and Associate Editor of The Voice of Truth International . Louis and his wife, the former Bonnie Reed, have three grown children. Bonnie and Louis are committed to the service of Christ and busy themselves with publishing religious materials in print and on the Internet. For six years before relocating to Mississippi, Bonnie and Louis served the Lord’s church in Cameron, West Virginia where Louis was the minister and one of the elders. Presently, Bonnie and Louis reside in Winona, MS from which they labor for the Lord in world evangelism. 6 Publisher’s Statement Ours is a multifaceted work that has grown from foreign mission efforts in Pakistan, then in Sri Lanka and on to India, to encompass mass media tools. In order to reach more of the population of India, we took advantage of opportunities to have radio programs, which led to greater involvement in printing literature, and now we use a combination of radio/TV/literature and extensive follow-up and personal work. So we are great believers in the power of the printed page. When J.C. became ill with recurring cancer, and we were looking for people to come to Winona to help with the work, we were thrilled when Louis and Bonnie decided to make that move. It is not often that one already involved in printing is joined by a couple so perfectly suited to the needs – they write, they have already printed numerous books, they even brought their own printing press! So the Rushmores are a tremendous addition to the mission program itself. But we are especially thankful for Louis’ studiousness and writing ability. In Beverage Alcohol he has covered every aspect of the question, honestly and with reference to statistics and specialists in each field, so that the conclusions must have tremendous impact on the readers. In a time of degradation of the American culture and abandonment of the principles of Christianity, a study such as this is sorely needed. May it be the means of pulling many lives back from the brink of alcoholism. Betty (J.C.) Choate, World Evangelism Foreword Not all stories have a happy ending, for instance, that of faithful Noah of old. All of his good work in building the ark whereby he saved his family and himself is overshadowed by his drunkenness. Not only did he suffer because of it, but his family suffered, too. One would think that defenders of alcohol ( social drinking , really resulting in unsociable conduct) could learn a lesson from Noah. Biblical references to Noah clearly indicate that the problem of alcohol has been around for a long time. Granting Noah the benefit of any doubt, surely he neither planned getting drunk nor hurting his family. It is my honor and pleasure to highly recommend this fine book by brother Louis Rushmore. It answers those who defend drinking alcohol (in any form) for pleasure. Having read some of the answers that Louis gave to those who inquired of him about the use of alcohol, I was one of many who encouraged him to put these answers in a book for all to have. Louis is very clear and right to the point in his answers. I strongly recommend it to all elders and preachers as they combat this great problem in the world and sometimes even in the church. Beverage Alcohol is full of up-to-date material that puts the question of the use of alcohol where it should be, condemned by Almighty God. It is Bible centered with references to Scripture dealing with this important subject alcohol and mankind. In fact, if every Christian family were to have a copy of this book, it would be a valuable resource to guide it in the truth about alcohol and its effect on man. I encourage you to read Beverage Alcohol . Check the scriptures cited with an open mind. Doing this, I believe you will clearly see exactly what God meant when he said, “Woe unto them” who give or take strong drink in any amount. Some say if you want something done, ask a busy man to do it. Louis is very busy teaching and preaching the Gospel as well as writing and publishing many articles and class books. We will be forever indebted to Louis for his time and talent in this good work. Leonard “Buck” Groves, Minister & Elder Southern Hills church of Christ, Salineville, Ohio September 12, 1998 Preface A few years ago, I penned a short series of articles, the theme of which was: Legal, But Lost ! One installment addressed alcohol . Eventually, the article on alcohol made its way to the Internet along with several other articles I have written over the years. Occasionally, someone corresponds with me, usually by e- mail, regarding one of these Internet articles. To date, no article has generated more response than my article: Legal But Lost: Alcohol! Some correspondence is positive and complimentary. More, however, is negative and critical. One young student in a northern religious college took special exception to the