- Milan Magar
Introduction
If we look
back to church history for the first 1800 years, Christian had practiced of
consuming alcoholic beverages as a part of their life. They taught that both
the Bile and Christian tradition argued that alcohol is a gift from God, but
they also said that overindulgence to drunkenness is a sin. Today, we can see
two positions exist in Christianity on the issue of alcohol. 1) Allowing
moderate use of alcohol is sometimes called as moderationism. 2) Prohibiting all consumption of alcohol
because it is believed to be a sin is called Prohibitionism. Today about 42% of evangelical leaders argue
that drinking alcohol is ok for them but 52% good evangelical leaders argue it
is not permissible for us to consume. The Bible provides us 247 references to
wine and strong drink. There are 228 references that talk about wine and 19
references as a strong drink. It has been used as a normal part of biblical
culture, symbolism, a blessing from God, using in offerings and sacrifices,
gifts between people miscellaneous, vows of abstinence and so on. It can be
divided into three broad categories: positive references, negative references
and neutral references. The Bible uses
40 references or 16% of the negative part of alcohol. On other hand, there are
145 or 59% of positive references of alcohol used in the bible. At last, it has
62 or 25% of neutral references indicates about the alcohol.[1]
Consequence of alcohol in the community and Christian responsibility
Alcohol abuse is taking an
incredible toll on millions of people and their families. It is sad that
Christian’s freedom concept in their personal behavior has become the main
agent of destroying to millions of those in and outside the church. Among the young people alcohol became the choice
to cope with their difficulties in life. Our society has not placed the
limitation of drinking the alcohol in a healthy setting and limits. Many who
drink at bars, parties, and even in the home are separated from the positive
elements of life. It has become a sign of loneliness.[2
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Conclusion
Now, let us retrospect
again the biblical teaching on the use of alcohol. Based on the 247 references
to wine and strong drink in the Bible, and also based on the life of Jesus, and
in light of the arguments that arise in a discussion on this topic, we find a
simple answer. The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but also it
also aware for those who use in their meal. That awareness is to be careful,
when you are in fellowship with Christians with a weaker conscience, that you
don't cause a brother to stumble. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what
you eat or drink (Colossians 2:16). Christians who reject the total abstinence should have both discernment and
the freedom by allowing limited use, within the context of the family,
friendship and diplomatic protocol. But they should present themselves at the
stage of sobriety and maturity in their Christian faith [4].
1) In some countries or cultures, Christian community
serves alcohol in their night meal, so as biblical standard what will be your
responds to them? If your answer is yes, then why, and if Not then why.
(2) What will be your responds in the light of the
scripture, if somebody says consuming moderate quantity of alcohol as social drinking
is acceptable, until and unless he/she will not be stumbling blocks for the
family, community and a weak brother in Christ?
[2]
Burkholder J. A Little Wine for the Soul? The
Bible says drunkness is a sin (Gal. 5:21): But is occasional social drinking Ok
for Christians? Christianity Today
[Serial Online]. April 3, 2004; 44 (4): 85. Available from: ATLA Religion
Database with ATLAS Serials, Ipswich, MA Accessed July 31, 2013
[3] Land R, Duke B. The Christian and
Alcohol. Criswell Theological Review [Serial online]. March 1, 2008:5
(2):19-38. Available from: ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, Ipswich,
MA. Accessed July, 31, 2013.
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ReplyDeleteNice article, bro ;)
ReplyDeleteFor your questions:
1. In that situation you can do two things:
a. If by rejecting their meal, will make them offended, you can take it for one or two gulps. It's pretty enough already to respect them.
b. If you can explain well to them that you are not used to drink alcohol, and they will not be offended, do it.
2. This scripture will answer your question: "1 Cor. 6:12, Someone will say, "I am allowed to do anything." Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave."
:)
For me, it's okay to serve and drink moderate wine if it will not stumble others. It depends on culture, how they view about it. whether you drink or eat but don't forget to honor God and His Holiness. The motive of drinking should be positive as Paul said to Timothy. Do not drink to get drunk but it's okay to drink if it will be good for your health.
ReplyDeleteAs the former alcoholic, the addition is against the Scripture and dishonor God. It also affected the personal, family and the community around us. (That's I experienced before). I agree that you can drink wine or beer or alcohol without getting drunk and addicted.
ReplyDeleteChristians have as many views about drinking alcohol as there are denominations, but the Bible is abundantly clear on one thing: Drunkenness is a serious sin.
ReplyDeleteWine was the common drink in ancient times. I know for fact some Bible scholars believe the drinking water in the Middle East was unreliable, often polluted or containing harmful microbes. The alcohol in wine would kill such bacteria.
While some experts claim wine in Bible times had a lower alcohol content than today's wine or that people diluted wine with water, several cases of drunkenness are cited in Scripture.
As for me: you can drink alcohol up to certain lever, once you get too drunk and abuse others is sinful. That is where you should draw the line.
1. The sense of biblical and ethical support is important.
ReplyDelete2. As much possible, better not to drink
3. Drinking itself is not the sin; cause of drinking is the sin.
Thank you Brother for your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe blog conclude about Drinking, Yes or no? And, also about the serving in some cultures, biblical principle about moderate or not moderate and about Christian society in some making points of yes or no?
Personally, I don’t judge anyone country and culture. I highly respect cultures. We cannot judge anyone. I say that drinking is not good for Christians even though it’s moderated or not being drunk. We can see in bible that Mighty man of God, like, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist was not supposed to drink. If we think as a servant of God and want to do work for God, Lord Jesus, We should not drink alcoholic beverages. It can be stumbling blocks to unbelievers. I have also seen that drinking has made problems in house, family and society. We can also see the negative impact of drinking in bible and in our communities. Therefore, I conclude myself not to drink but, No judgment to anyone!!!!! It their life!!
I will not agree of serving alcohol beverage in any party or things, But if that so, It’s up to the owner. I will just say, I am sorry, with Smile. !!!!!!!
For me bro, alcohol was already loaded with negative connotation whether health, psychological, or spiritual issue. alcohol is externally beneficial, but internally less beneficial. so with this consideration, Christians should abstain from it. you have much benefit in avoiding alcohol but will will take so much risk in trying to take it.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that it's getting drunk that is the problem not drinking. And also the issue of being a stumbling block to our brethren. I also don't think it's an issue of to drink or not to drink. Getting the balance can be very tricky and confusing. I say that if a person is genuinely a Christian, God has his conviction upon Him and He'll know what to do best, hopefully. If he doesn't, the Lord can always forgive him and so should we. Don't know if it helps. Personally, i just don't like the taste. Although i drink some only with low alcohol content just to unwind without any member seeing me. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that it's getting drunk that is the problem not drinking. And also the issue of being a stumbling block to our brethren. I also don't think it's an issue of to drink or not to drink. Getting the balance can be very tricky and confusing. I say that if a person is genuinely a Christian, God has his conviction upon Him and He'll know what to do best, hopefully. If he doesn't, the Lord can always forgive him and so should we. Don't know if it helps. Personally, i just don't like the taste. Although i drink some only with low alcohol content just to unwind without any member seeing me. Hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteA L C O H O L I S M
ReplyDeleteDrinking alcoholic beverages among Christian circles has stirred numerous discussions and disputes among churches and denominations today. Some assert that God completely forbids the use or consumption of alcoholic beverages altogether while some argue that God does not completely forbid but simply warns against drunkenness. What about you?
THE ISSUES RAISED
1. Should Christians completely avoid alcoholic beverages or does God allow Christians to drink moderately?
2. Is modern wine or beer the same as bible wine?
“The church is near, but the road is icy. The bar is far, but we will walk carefully” Russian Proverb
“Filipinos drink beer only on three occasions – when they are sad, when they are happy, and in between” – Virgilio Billy Malang
“Whiskey and beer are all right in their place, but their place is in Hell” – Billy Sunday
SHORT WORD STUDY ON “WINE”
1. Some OT Usages
a. יַיִן (Yayin)
i. Used as intoxicating, able to make one drunk. This is the usual Hebrew word for fermented grape. (Gen. 9:21, Exo. 29:40; Lev. 10:9; Num. 6:3; Deut. 14:26; Josh. 9:13).
ii. Used as unfermented grape juice. Wine was “grape juice” before it was actually fermented (Gen. 49:11).
b. תִּירוֹשׁ (Tirosh) – Used as sweet wine, new wine. This Hebrew word has been traced to a root meaning “to take possession of” and hence it is supposed that tirosh is so designated because in intoxicating it takes possession of the brain. (Prov. 3:10; Micah 6:15; Hos. 4:11; Deut. 28:51) .
c. שֵׁכָר (Shekar) – “strong drink,” any intoxicating liquor; from a root meaning “to drink deeply,” “to be drunken”, a generic term applied to all fermented liquors. (Num. 28:7; Lev. 10:9; Judg. 13:4, 7; Isa. 5:11; Prov. 20:1; 31:6; Micah 2:11).
d. Conclusion: All three above OT usages indicate beverages which can cause someone to become intoxicated or drunk!
2. Some NT Usages
a. οἶνος (Oinos) – This is the most common word for wine in the NT. Aside from this word, not much word was used for wine. This word came from the Hebrew word יַיִן (Yayin) and is also intoxicating. (Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37; Eph. 5:18; John 2:1-11).
b. γλεῦκος (Gleukos) – sweet wine. Implies it can intoxicate in Acts 2:13.
c. Conclusion: Both NT usages also used wine as a beverage which can intoxicate an individual.
3. Summary
ReplyDeleteTherefore, based on the OT and NT findings on the usages of the term for wine, it is clear and safe to say that although there are minor instances where wine was used to mean unfermented grape juice, the majority, general, and usual use of wine referred to in the bible indicates a drink which can intoxicate or cause an individual to become drunk – very similar to the alcoholic beverages of today.
A THOUGHT TO CONSIDER (for those who are opposed to our findings)
1. If the “wine” in the bible simply referred to grape juice or non-intoxicating drink, then why would the bible warn against drunkenness?
PURPOSES OF WINE
1. For celebration on different occasions – Gen. 27:25; 1 Chro. 12:39; John 2
2. A blessing from God that gladdens the heart – Ps. 104:15; Eccle. 9:7, 10:19
3. A gift of God and a sign of His blessing – Gen. 27:28; Deut. 7:13
LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SIDES
1. Abstain
a. Reasons for
i. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
ii. A lot of negative/evil things can happen when someone drinks alcoholic beverages
iii. Law of love over use of liberty
b. Objections to
i. Objections to i: Coke, coffee, pork, processed meat, lack of sleep and the likes are also (or even more) harmful to the body.
ii. Objection to ii: Not everyone who drinks alcoholic beverages causes evil or negative things.
2. Allow drinking in moderation
a. Reasons for
i. The bible does not command Christian to not drink alcoholic beverages, what it warns Christian is for them to not be controlled by and addicted to alcoholic beverages and thereby become drunk or a habitual drunkard.
ii. Even Jesus drank wine (Matt. 26:29 “"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."”)
iii. The great apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to drink wine instead of water in 1 Timothy 5:23.
b. Objections to
i. Objection: What is moderation and who determines what is moderate?
3. Completely prohibits
a. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”
b. The bible completely prohibits Christians from any type of consumption of alcoholic beverages. To drink is to commit sin against the Lord!!!
REPORTERS’ RECOMMENDATION:
1. Work on the law of love over the use of Christian liberty (1 Corinthians
2. Believers can drink alcoholic beverages but only in moderation.
THE REAL ISSUE
Based on the stated findings mentioned above, we believe that the real issue then is not “Should you or should you not drink” but rather “How much is too much for the Christian drinker?”
Lun Khai:
ReplyDeleteA comedic conversation between a father and a son in an Asian community went: Father – “My son, I know you were a little tipsy last night. And why did you drink at all?” Son – “Just that it’s good for health.” Father – “Oh, really? Then why don’t they distribute alcohol in the hospital if for good health’s sake?”
People from all walks of life except teetotalers may give various reasons of their use of alcoholic beverages – whether in an excessive way or a lighter way or whether one considers it “therapeutic” or “destructive”. I myself used to be a heavy drinker and smoker and that I would say I know of what feels like to dwell on addictive alcoholic drinks. The Bible doesn’t give a clear-cut doctrinal teaching on taking alcohol though it does teach in its own context in line with general moral principles. Thus, Christians tend to manipulate the vagueness of Christian doctrine on this ethical issue. A whole bunch of people refers to ‘conscience’ regarding how one should view alcohol. I must say, the word ‘conscience’ defined in a secular thinking is ambiguous, deceitful, hence misleading. Conscience is defined ‘awareness of one’s actions as either right or wrong’. Yet in what parameter will we measure if one’s conscience is in accordance with God’s standard? Who makes the judgment of right or wrong on your conducts? Yourself or God? Principles of conscience is the Modus Operandi to go with as described in Romans 14. The liberty one practices is to be intertwined with his/her clear conscience edified by proper usage of his/her liberty (referring to 1 Corinthians 8). So whether you drink or not should be judged by your ethical wisdom imparted by God – on the basis of whether you are putting “an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way” (Rom 14:13).
The biblical principle is all-time truth and applicable to anyone in anyplace at anytime. It’s not about the culture and custom of a particular society for we are to be conformed to a biblical culture imposed by the scripture. At any rate, my response to a hospitable offer of an alcoholic drink at however splendid supper is not a ‘yes’ because the consequences of savoring the drink is not limited only at the dinning table. It goes beyond that! The alluring power of temptation on alcoholic indulgence should not be despised. It’s not only Savoring the taste of the drink but Favoring its evil consequences. It destroyed the lives of many Christian leaders and that God’s reputation is on the line. In many accounts, it has brought disgrace and defame to God’s name. We should see far beyond the so-called social drinking in whatever kind of gathering.
There is no such notion like ‘social drinking (without a bad consequence) is permissible’ in the Bible. One cannot say he/she can drink at the absence of a non-believer so he/she can no longer be a stumbling block to them. Here, motive or purpose has a room. Is his/her drinking for mere pleasure? Is it bringing any pixel point of glory to God? Everything is permissible but not suitable. Paul warns against the moral insensitivity one can develop when he/she silences their (God-given) consciences (or practices their self-guided consciences) and hardens their hearts and that will get them spiritually numb in the end. According to Paul, drinking wine is devoid of wisdom and prudence as a Christian in this evil age (Ephe 5:15, 16). He said one should not get drunk with wine but filled with the Spirit (v. 18). And there are still a whole lot more that Paul teaches on this.
Putting all these into a nutshell, drinking alcohol is an open-ended ethical issue that calls for ongoing debates and discussions among Christian leaders. The parameter of Christian conduct is a Godly conscience instilled by the Holy Spirit being wise as ‘serpent’ and innocent as ‘dove’. Forget not that though we are IN the world, we are NOT OF the world and our Christian life is a ‘city on the mountain’ being observed by the world!
Roshan Nepali
ReplyDeleteBrother Thank you for your hard work to give us the knowledge about consumption of Alcohol.For me what we need to know is why we are taking alcohol? what is the reason behind consumption of alcohol? If you take alcohol as a medicine its okay but according to the bible, it says "let your behavior should not be stumbling for the weaker brother" therefore keeping this in mind what is good and acceptable to God, carry out according to that.
New book on the subject: "What Would Jesus Drink?"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Would-Jesus-Really-Alcohol-ebook/dp/B005LH68QM/