Ethics Topics: Alcohol Consumption

I. The Problem
The question of biblical use of alcohol is much debated particularly in Southern Baptist circles. Many feel very passionately about this topic and feel it is divisive enough to be a denominational distinctive. It is key to analyze the methodology believers use as well as the supporting scripture verses when formulating a position on this issue.

II. Sources of Authority
Scripture, being the first authority in a believer’s life, speaks of the issue of alcohol on several occasions. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” In 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, Paul warns believers not to allow the exercise of their freedom to be a stumbling block to a weaker brother. While the context of this passage concerns eating meat sacrificed to idols, the principle provides a direct application to the subject of alcohol. A similar teaching is seen in Romans 14:21 when stronger brothers are to forgo wine temporarily if they will harm their weaker brother. Yet, both verses speak of forgoing meat in a similar situation for the sake of the weaker. Thus, the object is not inherently bad though the situation would call for a different, more loving action. Matthew 11:19 accounts Jesus himself drinking wine publicly which the Pharisees criticized saying, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Proverbs 31:4 says kings should not drink wine or desire strong drink. However, in the next verse, the decree is qualified to mean only in times when they are administering justices “lest they forget what is decreed and pervert the rights of the afflicted.” There are cases of abstention in scripture, such as Sampson and John the Baptist; however, they are each for particular purposes and distinguish them from the common experience.
Martin Luther says, “Do you suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused? Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we then prohibit and abolish women?” Not only is this statement humorous, it exposes a fundamental flaw in the prohibitionist ideology. In his article, Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. concludes, “Although alcoholic beverages can be, have been, and are presently abused by individuals, such need not be the case. Indeed, the biblical record frequently and clearly speaks of alcoholic beverages as good gifts from God for man’s enjoyment. Unfortunately, as is always the case among sinners, good things are often transformed into curses. This is true not only with alcohol but with food, medicine, sex, wealth, authority and many other areas of life.”

III. Position Statement

In light of these scripture verses, it is clear the Bible never prohibits alcohol or promotes a life of abstaining from it. However, there is a careful distinction made between drinking wine and becoming drunk. Drunkenness is clearly a sin in scripture as the alcohol leads the person instead of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Proverbs warns drunkenness is foolish and always leads to ruin. Scholars from both positions debate about the word for wine and whether or not it meant real wine or welches. Obviously, if scripture warns about drunkenness, the wine must have had some intoxicating effect. David Wilkerson says, “I have searched out the old Bible commentaries and almost all of them suggest wine referred to in the Old and New Testaments was fermented.” J.D. Davis argues for the interpretive principle of “first mention.” He says, “when the Hebrew word yayin first occurs in scripture, it is the fermented juice of the grape (Genesis 9:21), and there is no reason to believe that it has a different meaning elsewhere.” In this passage, Noah becomes drunk from the wine making it clear it was an intoxicating substance. The argument from “first mention” says that later changes from the first usage must be qualified otherwise the established definition remains the same.
A bigger question to ask is if there is something beyond redemption. When Christ died, he reconciled the world to himself and secured the promise that he would one day restore all things. For this reason, the believer can live a redeemed life in a sinful world. The sex addict can throw away his pornography and enjoy sex with his wife. The glutton who indulges in massive amounts of food learns to enjoy the food God created and provided in moderation giving honor to the Giver rather than the gift. The overall idea is that there is nothing outside of or beyond Christ’s redemption. The believer should not make a secular versus sacred false distinction by considering an aspect of God’s creation inherently unredeemable. It is the sinner’s heart rather than the alcoholic beverage that causes him to sin by overusing it and once again worshiping the creation over the Creator. Thus, the focus should not be on prohibiting the substance, but on the repentance of the heart and then the mission to transform the culture for Christ. If believers retract from culture, they will miss expressing the fullness of redemption through Christ.
While this mission must be taken in light of the fact that alcohol is often abused, it could be said that legalism is often more widespread and more of a problem in the Church than alcoholism. A proper theological perspective on the mission of God, the believer’s place and interaction in culture, and what the bible specifically says about this issue is key to taking a position on this very controversial topic in the Church today.