by Chris Thrower

During times when the consumption of alcohol was not considered a taboo subject among Christians, it was customary for the bride’s family to brew a special beer for the wedding party. This was known as the bride ale and it eventually became a term loosely applied to the entire reception and was combined into one utterance which is where we get our word ‘bridal’. I turn twenty-one on the day of my wedding so I’m looking forward to a celebration that includes alcohol. In preparation for that event I asked one of our pastors here at Mars Hill who is going to be marrying us (and who happens to be a great home brewer) if he would brew some beer for our wedding, he kindly obliged and welcomed me into his home today to educate me on how to brew some good beer. It took several hours to purchase the ingredients, boil the ‘wort’ (the kettle with the grains, hops, and malt extract), cool it down to the right temperature, and now it sits in a carboy fermenting. After all this, I am looking forward to enjoying a tasty celebratory ale and I praise God that at our church this vice has been redeemed. I encourage others of you, if your conscience will allow, to enjoy God’s gifts (Psalm 104:15) and to follow this biblical advice:

Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 9:7-9

I intend to. ‘Nuff said.