Christians and Alcohol

Over the past Century, one of the more controversial attitudes that the church has taken a position on is found in the area of alcohol consumption.  Depending on your point of view, and your church or denominations stand, alcohol has become the focal point of condemnation and ostracizing.  This position paper is an attempt to bring balance and understanding to the issue, in order to restore balance and a biblical view.

According to an article in the Britannica on the Temperance movement, one of the most reprehensible substances on the face of the earth is alcohol.  To anyone involved in the Temperance movement, the greatest accomplishment a person could possible achieve would be that of utter abolishment of any and all alcoholic beverages.  Using techniques reminiscent of fiery evangelists conducting heated crusades, people involved in this coalition have used many methods to try and rid humankind of the malignant malady of modern day drunken madness.  These methods have included pamphlet distribution, public campaigns, legislation aimed at outlawing liquor and ostracizing people who indulge in the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The Temperance movement began in 1803[1] and enjoyed a fluctuating career of success; including the period of American Prohibition.  The thoughts, ideals, and practices of this movement have had a profound impact on America, and upon American Christianity, as many people have associated abstinence as a virtue, even to the point of becoming a standard for Christian conduct.  The intent of this statement however, is to give evidence supporting the consumption of alcoholic substances, namely wine, by Christians in moderation; and that the exclusion of alcohol is not a Biblical virtue or mandate, but rather is a product of sociological pressures induced by self-righteous inclinations and fear; not by Biblical data.  According to an article on Wine in Zondervan’s Encyclopedia of the Bible:

“Wine receives special commendation in the Bible.  There is reference to the ‘wine which cheers gods and men’ (Judges 9:13; cf. Psalms 104:15; Ecclesiastes 10:19).  Used metaphorically, wine represents the essence of goodness.  The drinking of wine was sometimes accompanied by singing (Isaiah 24:9).  The desirable wife is compared to ‘a fruitful vine within your house (Psalms 128:3).’  The blessing of wine is illustrated by the figure in which Israel is compared to a vine which God brought from Egypt and planted in the Promised Land where ‘it took deep root and filled the land’ with prosperity (Psalms 80:8-11).  Prosperity was sometimes symbolized by an abundance of wine as when Jacob blessed Judah, saying that ‘he washes his garment in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes’ (Genesis 48:11).  A time of peace and affluence is described as a situation in which every man dwells ‘under his vine and under his fig tree’ (1 Kings 4:25).  Isaiah uses wine as a symbol of spiritual blessing (Isaiah 55:1, 2) and it is extolled in such passages as Ecclesiastes 10:19.  It appears that a temperate use of wine is not reprehensible (Esther 1:10, Ps 104:15; Ecclesiastes 10:19, Zech 10:7).  References to wine in the Bible make it clear that its use was a common everyday affair and a part of the regular diet (Gen 14:18; Judges 19:19; 1 Sam 16:20; 2 Chronicles 11:11).[2]”

It becomes evident that the scriptural data does not condemn the use of alcohol, neither in the Old Testament record, nor in the New Testament.

This needs to be balanced however, with the Biblical concept of moderation, which teaches that people that use alcohol (as well as in many other areas of life) need to use it in such a way so as to keep it from controlling the individual; and not to become a drunkard.  In this aspect of biblical thought one may indulge in things that could be seen as being pleasant, as long as control is employed.  This train of thought views over-indulgence as the point of conflict, not casual participation; which also raises a prime area of concern to the church; should the church condone limited use of alcohol as the scripture teaches; or should it follow social and political pressure and condemn alcoholic consumption entirely, alienating those who do use it?  Does the church need to be Biblical in its perspective; or should it follow the mandates of society?  We at The Ridge assert the necessity for Biblical practices within the church; not being swayed by sociological pressure.

The last point one needs to consider in the use of alcohol within the body of Christ is this: if the church excludes those who imbibe alcohol, who would be excluded from the annals of Christendom?  Should Martin Luther; St. Augustine; the Apostle Peter, or Paul be excluded from the assembly of the saints; and should their contributions be discredited for their participation in the consumption of alcohol?  Should Jesus himself be discredited for his drinking practices; and should we ignore the use of wine as an offering to the Father?  Let it never be!  In conclusion let it be said that the church of Jesus Christ needs to continuously weigh it practices against scripture and society; and in doing so decide which one will dictate the conduct of its people, remembering that whoever you serve is that which you follow.