Theology in the Raw What Does the Bible Actually Say about Alcohol? Dr. John Anthony Dunne
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Dec 29, 2025 Join Dr. John Anthony Dunne, an Associate Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary and author of "The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine," as he explores the complex relationship between the Bible and alcohol. Discover whether ancient wines were stronger, the meaning of 'new wine,' and the cultural status of beer versus wine. John dispels myths about dilution, discusses biblical views on drunkenness, and addresses the pastoral concerns surrounding alcohol consumption. His insights bring a fresh perspective on a timely topic.
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Craft Beer Sparked Scholarly Study
- John Anthony Dunne began studying alcohol because of a craft-beer hobby and blog posts in 2011.
- That interest led him to deeper academic work and eventually a book on biblical alcohol theology.
Wine Is Ubiquitous In Scripture
- The Bible contains many mundane, casual references to wine that are sidelined by modern permissibility debates.
- John Anthony Dunne argues a fuller biblical theology notices this widespread, non-prescriptive presence of alcohol.
Allow Diverse Church Practices
- Expect diversity in church alcohol practices and allow both abstainers and imbibers as legitimate.
- Use festival cycles and fasts to shape communal practices rather than enforcing a single rule.
