Taste and See that the Wine is Good
“If our Lord is permitted to create nice large pike and good Rhine wine, presumably I may be allowed to eat and drink.”—Martin Luther
By Dawn Moore
Yesterday a church friend invited me to stop by her home to see her brand new kitchen. In search of ideas for my own kitchen remodel, I was encouraged to peek behind doors and drawers to wonder at the marvels of modern design: an appliance garage, a media center, and a built in cutting board all reflected her family’s specific needs and values. But as I circled the gleaming center island, I found a little secret hiding on the back side: about a dozen wine bottles were stashed in cubbies beneath the overhang with only the tips of their colorful necks to betray their existence. It would take an especially nosey guest to spot them. I am that nosey guest!
My friend explained with an embarrassed look, “We do drink a little wine on occasion, but I prefer not to advertise that.” Historically speaking, our conservative-leaning church has frowned on alcohol consumption. Like dancing, it was viewed with suspicion and best left alone. Of course my friend’s hidden stash illustrates that views are changing, at least in private.
It would appear that our Reformation-era forebears had no such hangups. Not only did Martin Luther defend his right to enjoy all the fruits of the earth, but he is also known to have bragged about how much he could down in one guzzle. He drank his wine from a three-ringed mug, not a long-stemmed glass, and he took pride in draining the mug more efficiently than his friends. (See CH #115 Did You Know? for more on how Luther named the three rings!) With a tinge of characteristic humor, Luther encourages us to eat and drink with pleasure. This is not at all surprising, as alcohol in various forms was an acceptable and common beverage in his time, though drunkenness was frowned upon.
The author’s husband and a friend crush freshly picked grapes in 2011.
In the late 1980’s my husband and I were young marrieds, new to evangelicalism. Both of our families of origin served alcohol (in great abundance) at every event. Some of them paid a heavy price when their habit got out of control. Anxious to be good Christians and aware of the dangers of overconsumption, we wondered if we should become teetotallers. Should we give up alcohol in moderation in deference to the unwritten rules of our new “family”? We decided that to do so would build a sort of wall between us and our established friends and family. Rather than help our witness, it could harm it by creating a false identity. But we learned quickly not to mention alcohol in our new Christian circles. It was definitely taboo.
Things are changing, though. We were recently invited to a dinner party at an older Christian couple’s home. With more than a bit of uncertainty, we opted to bring a bottle of our homemade Chardonnay as a gift for the hosts. To our delight, they served it along with two bottles they had purchased for the occasion. Some at the table had a glass, while others took a pass. It seems there was enough grace in our midst for varying approaches, which feels like good progress.
I plan to have a wine rack built into my new kitchen. It will be on ready display, not hidden behind the kickboard of an island. I’ll display what we affectionately call our “Moore-lot” and our “Char-Dawn-Ay,” along with some bottles from more distinguished vineyards. If you visit I’ll offer you a glass, with no pressure to accept. And if Luther were here, he’d drain his mug well before you’ve finished swirling and sniffing your red.
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