GC, it is clear you have made up your mind and nothing I quote is going to persuade you otherwise. I have nothing further to say. Thank you for the dialog.

Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as a diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly presented by one than by another. And as several writers present a subject under varied aspects and relations, there may appear, to the superficial, careless, or prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or contradiction, where the thoughtful, reverent student, with clearer insight, discerns the underlying harmony. {GC vi.1}

Some look to us gravely and say, "Don't you think there might have been some mistake in the copyist or in the translators?" This is all probable, and the mind that is so narrow that it will hesitate and stumble over this possibility or probability would be just as ready to stumble over the mysteries of the Inspired Word, because their feeble minds cannot see through the purposes of God. Yes, they would just as easily stumble over plain facts that the common mind will accept, and discern the Divine, and to which God's utterance is plain and beautiful, full of marrow and fatness. All the mistakes will not cause trouble to one soul, or cause any feet to stumble, that would not manufacture difficulties from the plainest revealed truth. {1SM 16.2}

I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed. {EW 220.2}

I think it is absurd, if not blasphemous, to believe Jesus commanded the Jews in Deut 14:26 to convert their tangible tithe into money, travel to a place of His choosing, and then use it to buy whatever they desire, including wine and strong drink, and then consume it in sight of God. First of all, tithe belongs to God. It was not theirs to use as they saw fit. Secondly, the Levites were forbidden to consume wine and strong drink.

Mike,

Those statements are not exactly in the same category. Each of those can be explained simply enough by recognizing that the standard has been raised. The standards may have been different in Bible times. Alternatively, these statements may refer to a particular context, such as the prohibitions for the priesthood. In the book of Exodus, God spoke of a future time when His people should be "a kingdom of priests." In Revelation, that is said to have been accomplished. I believe that refers to our day. As "priests," we are held to the high standard of spiritual leaders, not to the lower standard of the masses.

The Lord has given special directions in His word in reference to the use of wine and strong drink. He has forbidden their use, and enforced His prohibitions with strong warnings and threatenings.

I think it is absurd, if not blasphemous, to believe Jesus commanded the Jews in Deut 14:26 to convert their tangible tithe into money, travel to a place of His choosing, and then use it to buy whatever they desire, including wine and strong drink, and then consume it in sight of God.

M: I think it is absurd, if not blasphemous, to believe Jesus commanded the Jews in Deut 14:26 to convert their tangible tithe into money, travel to a place of His choosing, and then use it to buy whatever they desire, including wine and strong drink, and then consume it in sight of God. First of all, tithe belongs to God. It was not theirs to use as they saw fit. Secondly, the Levites were forbidden to consume wine and strong drink.

GC: Then what do you believe about that passage? That it was not written by Moses? That it was not inspired? That the Hebrew does not say what we see in English? How do you understand Deuteronomy 14? Also, how do you know that what appears to be most clear actually is most accurate?

"There is not always perfect order or apparent unity in the Scriptures." {7BC 945.6} I suspect the original words and meaning of Deut 14:26 was somehow lost over the years. The rest of the Bible and the SOP, as it relates to wine and strong drink, is too clear to misunderstand. The idea that Jesus raised the standard over time is not borne out in the Bible or the SOP. It has always been forbidden and condemned by God for everyone.

MM, don't be absolute on that. It could very well be true and still not be God approving the use of strong drink. As the concept has been addressed elsewhere.