About – Wittenberg Beer

Wittenberg Beer is a project of Rev. Jacob Ehrhard to dig deeper into the theology that drove the Reformation. Just as Luther and his friends drank their Wittenberg beer while the Word worked, these resources are best enjoyed with your favorite beverage.

Now Reading

Philip Melanchthon’s Loci Communes of 1521 is one of the first systematic theologies that come out of the Reformation. In this English translation, Commonplaces, which is translated by Christian Preus, you will find the theology that would define the Reformation beginning to crystallize in the thought of Martin Luther’s friend, colleague, and drinking partner.

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FAQs

Does the Bible say anything about beer?

The Bible most often speaks of wine, but also often pairs wine with “strong drink.” While it’s not entirely clear what this strong drink was, it likely was made from some kind of fermented grain. It is also documented that the ancient Egyptians brewed beer, and given Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, it could be that the Bible’s references to strong drink refer to related fermented beverages.

Is drinking alcohol a sin?

Often the Bible speaks of alcohol with a word of warning because it can lead to drunkenness. The Bible often includes drunkenness in lists of sinful or harmful behavior, but it sometimes speaks of the blessings of wine. While some people in the Bible were teetotalers, Jesus was not among them. He miraculously converted water into wine, and Jesus does not lead into temptation. Further, He uses wine in the sacrament of His body and blood. The use of alcohol is not a sin; the sin is in its misuse.

Do beer and theology really go together?

Some of my best theological conversations have been over a pint of beer. As Psalm 104:15 says, wine gladdens the heart and like wine, a little bit of beer makes for happy conversations. Beer can also teach us something about the task of theology: moderation is key! As the American Lutheran theologian Charles Porterfield Krauth noted, the Reformation was conservative in nature.