Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: harry@atmos.washington.edu (Harry Edmon) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Alchohol: Good or Evil? Message-ID: Date: 7 Feb 90 08:25:21 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington Lines: 16 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I believe that LCMS (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) doctrine does allow for the substitution of grape juice for wine in certain limited circumstances. In my LCMS congregation we usually have a few individual cups of grape juice for those members who are taking medication that requires them to avoid alcohol and those who have expressed a desire to avoid alcohol of any kind. The way I understand Lutheran doctrine, wine should be used when possible because that is what was used at the Last Supper. However, the important part of the sacrement is faith in the words "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins" (see Luther's small catechism). -- Harry Edmon INTERNET: harry@atmos.washington.edu (206) 543-0547 UUCP: uw-beaver!atmos.washington.edu!harry Dept of Atmospheric Sciences, AK-40 University of Washington