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Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence
The volume you hold, Ancient Wine and the The Case for Abstinence, addresses the subject with keen logic, a grasp of history, and thorough exegesis of biblical literature. Acknowledging that the Scriptures do not retain an expressed mandate against drinking alcoholic beverages as "thou shalt not steal,"he, nevertheless, demonstrates that the overwhelming witness of the Bible is like a mighty breaking wave on the north shore of Oahu, demanding abstinence based on case histories of the devastation of "strong drink" added to the "wisdom" literature of the Bible in its repeated call for abstinence. -from Foreword by Dr. Paige Patterson, President, SWBTS
* Numerous quotes from ancient and modern authorities
* Examines ancient wine recipes, practices, and preservation.
* Study of controversial Bible passages.
* Numerous quotes from ancient and modern authorities
* Examines ancient wine recipes, practices, and preservation.
* Study of controversial Bible passages.
308 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 14, 2025
I would not recommend this book.
The author often does not have reliable citation (such as citation 100 which he claims to cite multiple sources, but does not list them). He mentions near the early part of the book that the book does not flow well, and that at times it is not academically inclined. While he purports to see this as a benefit to uneducated people (the common folk whom he demeans a few times in the book as well), I would argue that it ultimately lends towards simply either the inability or the lack of desire to refine the book into a respectable work.
Additionally, this is not an objective book on the matter. The author is evidently prejudiced in one direction, so much so in fact that he often resides to manipulation of the texts simply because they go against his paradigm. He is seemingly incapable of entertaining a view that fermented wine is being used in a positive sense because, as he says incredibly often throughout the book, "alcohol is a hard drug", and through this he poisons the well for any counter argument against him.
And lastly, much of the book relies heavily on Greco-Roman authors of the time as to the processes available to the ancient people. While I don't discredit this per say, he heavily utilizes the Greek/Roman palate and appetites and extrapolates that on to the Hebrews without any Hebrew proving their tastes were even similar. Furthermore, he insists the commonality of unfermented wine and the over abundance of preservation methods simply by using some Greek and Roman authors mentioned a few wine. He extends those mentions into the insistence of prevalence amongst the Hebrews, again, with no source or citation.
The author often does not have reliable citation (such as citation 100 which he claims to cite multiple sources, but does not list them). He mentions near the early part of the book that the book does not flow well, and that at times it is not academically inclined. While he purports to see this as a benefit to uneducated people (the common folk whom he demeans a few times in the book as well), I would argue that it ultimately lends towards simply either the inability or the lack of desire to refine the book into a respectable work.
Additionally, this is not an objective book on the matter. The author is evidently prejudiced in one direction, so much so in fact that he often resides to manipulation of the texts simply because they go against his paradigm. He is seemingly incapable of entertaining a view that fermented wine is being used in a positive sense because, as he says incredibly often throughout the book, "alcohol is a hard drug", and through this he poisons the well for any counter argument against him.
And lastly, much of the book relies heavily on Greco-Roman authors of the time as to the processes available to the ancient people. While I don't discredit this per say, he heavily utilizes the Greek/Roman palate and appetites and extrapolates that on to the Hebrews without any Hebrew proving their tastes were even similar. Furthermore, he insists the commonality of unfermented wine and the over abundance of preservation methods simply by using some Greek and Roman authors mentioned a few wine. He extends those mentions into the insistence of prevalence amongst the Hebrews, again, with no source or citation.
October 2, 2018
Summary: The facts are all there to support the two-wine theory, but the presentation makes these facts less persuasive than they should be. The first half is relevant, but the second half drifts far afield of the book's intended purpose.
Pros: Very well researched, with a lot of primary sources and enough context; Sound reasoning and conclusions based on evidence.
Cons: Very repetitive - writing style leaves a lot to be desired; A lot of appeals to authority + emotive language; a lot of irrelevant quotes/information from prohibition activists, which detracts from the point: Ancient Wine and the Bible. Should have been about half as long.
Pros: Very well researched, with a lot of primary sources and enough context; Sound reasoning and conclusions based on evidence.
Cons: Very repetitive - writing style leaves a lot to be desired; A lot of appeals to authority + emotive language; a lot of irrelevant quotes/information from prohibition activists, which detracts from the point: Ancient Wine and the Bible. Should have been about half as long.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews