I mentioned in my last post that I needed to post on this. What do you think about Christians drinking alcohol. Now I don’t mean getting drunk, but just having a beer or two or a glass of wine on occasion. I’ve been in circumstances on opposite sides of the spectrum. I went to school where you had to sign a covenant you wouldn’t drink (even though I was 21 and married), and serving in churches where it was expected the pastor wouldn’t (but seemed to be ok that it was in deacon’s refrigerator). Then I’ve been involved in ministry where wine was served during a Christmas party.
I want to hear from you, and then I’ll share my thoughts in a follow-up post. Looking forward to a robust debate as I’m sure I’ve got readers in both camps or somewhere in between.
Update: Welcome Head Noises readers!
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See my post from today on this for more details on my position.
I agree with your first statement that each of those things are in and of themselves amoral.
Taken to places that God doesn't intend is where we sin. Alcohol can lead to drunkeness. Sex outside of marriage is sin. Not obeying traffic rules, etc. Food – gluttony… you get the picture.
I think most people commenting here are pretty reasonable.
Yep!
Part of why I was willing to be blunt.
Anyone know the difference between a Catholic and a Baptist?
[timpani drum roll please]
The Catholic will wave at you in the liquor store.
[ba-dum-bum-ching]
That Tim Hawkins video is hilarious!
Very true, we do need to use discernment.
LOL
I blame fierfox for forcing me to post here (she highlighted this post on her blog). I am not a Catholic, and never will be a Catholic, but I am a Christian.
Okay, that disclaimer over with.
I have met a few people of some denominations who believe alcohol consumption in any quantity is a sin. They are wrong. And I occasionally will feel free to get into a debate with them on the subject. But I won't crack a beer or drink a pina colada (yum) in front of them.
26 years ago, I had a high school friend who actually had a prescription for a 16-ounce beer a week. He had kidney issues already, and the beer acted as a preventative for further kidney stones. But that doesn't give anyone the freedom to pickle their livers.
I fully admit I have a less-than-acceptable “tude” about many issues and I am frequently hard to get along with, but I do consider the “stumbling stone” thing to be important. If it causes someone else to stumble, I try to avoid some things. But I feel a certain joy in eating a large steak in front of a PETA freak.
I will say if I've had enough alcohol to give me a buzz, I've already had too much.
Oh, and a brief bit of clarity, I consider myself Grace Brethren, which is an off-shoot (sorta) of Baptist, but without the “Southern Baptist” charisma.
Thanks for commenting Carl!
Thanks for your comment!
Good point Matt, we should be able to have a good time without alcohol. I do all the time.
Thanks Bob!
There sure is while we make a personal decision to abstain or not I think in our treatment of brothers and sisters in Christ we need to avoid both extremes.
Good point John. I've never heard of anybody being prescribed a beer, that's different.
PETA people need to be harassed and often, but of course in Christian love
.
Just over 17 years ago, I had my last drink, and by the grace of God, I won't have another.
If anyone wants to drink, it is their choice. It has nothing at all to do with Christianity.
Salvation does not come by not drinking. It comes by faith, and faith comes by hearing the Word. Salvation was granted in spite of my actions, not because of them.
Sometimes, it takes the painful consequences of wrong decisions to get a man's attention. So it was for me. But, once God got my attention, it was much easier to hear the Truth. And, that has made all the difference.
And, that is also the paradox.
Thanks for sharing Nuke!
Many wonderful thoughts here. I didn't see this one addressed and wondered about others' experiences:
As a Christian, I have found that when I drank too much, or even just a little for the wrong reasons, this profoundly and instantly affected my own relationship with God. It immediately distanced me, and put me in a very self-centered place. Much is discussed about how alcohol can negatively or positively affect our connection with others. . .but I have also experienced a sort of grief, a sorrowful experience akin to spiritual loneliness, during such times. . .it's like, God is still in the room, but there I am, over in the corner, with my dunce cap on, face to the wall!
On the other hand, I've certainly had those experiences without an alcohol 'assist'! But there is a peculiar loneliness to the break that alcohol can bring to our relationship with our Creator.
Jesus drank wine and so I believe it is okay. However there are many who feel that drinking might cause the weak (alcoholics) to stumble.
I am a recovering alcoholic and do not drink.
in and of itself i do not think alcohol is wrong…remember when God brought down the carpet with all the animals to peter, God said do not call anything that God has made/called clean unclean..i think its acts 10….but then again if by drinking u lay a stumbling block in someones path u sin..n if ur alcohol consumption leads to drunkeness or impairement of thought in the slightest then it is wrong and sinful..also remember that the Bible says anything that you do not do by faith is sin romans 14:23…i learnt this today because i previously believed alcohol was wrong in n of itself but i still took a shot..so i sinned because that was done against my faith n wat I stood for in God…..but also going to bars n clubs n drinking i believe is wrong because the atmosphere is not one in which believers should be found…especially indulging in the very attraction of such gathering places