That's just the point, MM. God DOES NOT expressly forbid alcohol. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case, as long as it is used responsibly and in moderation.

Would someone here say to their children that it's OK to drink alcohol and that God approves of it?

MM: Perhaps a better way of expressing that would be to say that EGW is putting words in God's mouth, because I cannot find a single example in Scripture of God "expressly forbiding" the use of alcohol.

Please, if you find one, let me know.

If God approves it, and it is beneficial to health, I can see it is the conclusion one must come to. In fact, it would be child abuse for not enabling your children to have all the benefits of alcohol consumption.

There are several passages that strongly imply God forbids drinking alcoholic beverages. The fact Jesus refused to drink it suggests we should too.

Also, consider the logical consequence of those who want to use this passage [John 2:1-11] to justify the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Their argument goes something like this: "Since Jesus produced alcoholic wine, then it is morally right for a person to drink it." However, notice that their logic takes them further than most of them want to go. Since Jesus produced alcoholic wine (as they claim), then not only would it be morally right to drink it, it would be morally right to produce it, sell it, distribute it, and make a living from it. But since that would most certainly cause someone to stumble, then it must be morally right to cause someone to stumble. However, the logical consequence of their argument would oppose the Lord's teaching (Luke 17:1-2).

MM: Two points strike me as interesting:

1) In order to support your assertion that God has forbidden alcohol, you must turn to EGW, and have not provided a single reference from Scripture.

2) Ye err, in that ye know not Scripture. Read Matthew 11:18,19. Here Jesus says: "John came neither eating nor drinking and you say he has a demon. I come eating and drinking, and you say I am a glutton and a drunk."

What was John not drinking? Wine. (See Luke 1:15) Therefore, what was Jesus drinking? Wine. He himself said they called him a drunkard.

The wine which Christ provided for the feast, and that which He gave to the disciples as a symbol of His own blood, was the pure juice of the grape. To this the prophet Isaiah refers when he speaks of the new wine "in the cluster," and says, "Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it." Isaiah 65:8. {DA 149.3}

The Bible nowhere sanctions the use of intoxicating wine. The wine that Christ made from water at the marriage feast of Cana was the pure juice of the grape. This is the "new wine . . . found in the cluster," of which the Scripture says, "Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it." Isaiah 65:8. {Te 97.1}

It was Christ who, in the Old Testament, gave the warning to Israel, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Proverbs 20:1. He Himself provided no such beverage. Satan tempts men to indulgence that will becloud reason and benumb the spiritual perceptions, but Christ teaches us to bring the lower nature into subjection. He never places before men that which would be a temptation. His whole life was an example of self-denial. It was to break the power of appetite that in the forty days' fast in the wilderness He suffered in our behalf the severest test that humanity could endure. It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. It was He who enjoined similar abstinence upon the wife of Manoah. Christ did not contradict His own teaching. The unfermented wine that He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink. This is the wine that was used by our Saviour and His disciples in the first Communion. It is the wine that should always be used on the Communion table as a symbol of the Saviour's blood. The sacramental service is designed to be soul-refreshing and life-giving. There is to be connected with it nothing that could minister to evil.--The Ministry of Healing, pages 333, 334. {Te 97.2}

Wine Recommended in Bible Not Intoxicating.--The Bible nowhere teaches the use of intoxicating wine, either as a beverage or as a symbol of the blood of Christ. We appeal to the natural reason whether the blood of Christ is better represented by the pure juice of the grape in its natural state, or after it has been converted into a fermented and intoxicating wine. . . . We urge that the latter should never be placed upon the Lord's table. . . . We protest that Christ never made intoxicating wine; such an act would have been contrary to all the teachings and example of His life. . . . The wine which Christ manufactured from water by a miracle of His power, was the pure juice of the grape.--Signs of the Times, Aug. 29, 1878. {Te 97.3}