The Christian and Alcohol
- Apr 18, 2008 - 12
As published in the Criswell Theological Review
Excerpt:
Recently, Barrett was enjoying lunch with a good friend. When their conversation turned to their children, he mentioned that his daughter had just turned 21. They talked about life with older children and then his friend asked him if he had bought his daughter her first drink on her twenty-first birthday. He replied that the idea had never occurred to him. He certainly never expected a dedicated evangelical Christian, which this friend certainly is, to ask him that question.
The thought that Barrett would introduce his daughter to alcohol, and even legitimize it by buying the first drink, was abhorrent to him. Yet, to this man, who is a member of a denomination that is much more open to the use of alcohol, buying your child her first drink was just part of the coming of age process.
Barrett admits that he bought all three of his children their first McDonald‘s french fries. In fact, he confesses that he guarded that privilege very carefully and looked forward to seeing the delight in their eyes the first time they bit into those crispy, salty, tender morsels. As bad as a regular diet of McDonald‘s food would have been if his children had taken too much of a liking for their food, Barrett considered that first introduction an important moment of bonding with each of his children.
We suppose Barrett‘s Christian friend felt similarly about his first drink with his child, but for most Baptists treating your child to her first meal at McDonald‘s and introducing her to the use of alcohol are not the same things.
This brief exchange illustrates the differing attitudes among Christians toward alcohol use…
The full article is available in PDF (172 KB) courtesy of the Criswell Theological Review.
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12 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Apr 19th, 2008, at 6:37am, Greg Jones wrote:
While Scripture clearly condemns drunkenness, it does not prohibit alcoholic consumption.
Jesus certainly turned the water into wine and not fruit juice. We can confirm that this wine had a potential to induce drunkenness if not used responsibly based upon the Governor’s comments about most people bringing out bad wine last after people have “good and drunk”.
While I have never taken a drink in my life and therefore have no motive to justify myself on this issue Biblically, we would do well NOT to impose man’s laws on our brothers and sisters should we have a stricter conviction on this matter.
2 On Apr 22nd, 2008, at 12:40pm, chelz in mississippi wrote:
I agree with you, but as stated in the whole article of Mr. Land’s, millions of people are addicted or related to someone who is addicted. Should we participate or encourage something that has almost NO value? I just had a debate type talk with a “babe” in Christ and he is absolutely against alcohol but scripture wise the only prohibition is drunkeness. This subject is a tough one. We abstain for various reasons. One being that we live in the Bible Belt and for us our witness is more important than alcohol. Two, we came from alcoholic parents and alcohol just doesn’t appeal to us. At the same time I want to balanced for my children’s sake. If I teach them that to drink alcohol is a sin then I am lying. What we do teach is that being drunk is a sin and that drinking alcohol can lead to worse things. This is really a sorted subject with hot heads on both sides.
3 On Apr 22nd, 2008, at 1:15pm, Stephen Joiner wrote:
I COULD NOT DISAGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS POST MORE. My father in law was an alcoholic and I have seen the devastation that it has caused. As a pastor, I have seen hundred of lives ruined by alcohol. I believe the Bible says we should choose that which is best. In today’s society there are many other choices and to be a part of an industry that destroys so many lives is adhorrent to me.
4 On Apr 22nd, 2008, at 9:04pm, chelz in mississippi wrote:
My case in point..... I did say that we don’t participate in alcohol consumption.
5 On Apr 23rd, 2008, at 10:06am, Stephen Joiner wrote:
Correction, because of the time delay, when I said the previous post at that time it was the FIRST one by Greg Jones. I apologize to the other post that came in between the comments.
This is a major issue in our society today. As citizens of heaven, as children of God, our standards must be higher than to lead others to a path that will destroy their lives, their marriages, their children.
6 On Apr 23rd, 2008, at 10:21am, Dale Welch wrote:
I was a victim of years of alcohol consumption. As a child my family had very few weekends without “knock down drag out brawling in our home” because of alcohol. OUr family could never have a positive cook out or family gathering because my father and his brother’s had to drink and it would end up in a fight before it was all over. I could go on and on. I for one cannot in any way, other than medicinal purposes, justify the consumption of alcohol. There just isn’t any positives at all with this product.
7 On Dec 22nd, 2008, at 2:43pm, BOB GADD wrote:
Yes indeed Jesus did turn the water to real wine. BUT, would he have done this had not his mother put him on the spot...the answer...no...He asked “woman what does this have to do with me? He did so to save her reputaion...no his, and it does not say he condoned any ones excessive drinking. He did not say, this round is on me..and yehah bring on the dancing girls! Is it a weak or strong will that says I can drink and not offend anyone, even God? Honestly that line is invisible. Hypothetical. You drink excessively ONE time...and kill a family of 5 on the highway...are you a murderer?
8 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 7:34am, michelle polk wrote:
part one...not enough room for all of my comment…
The Bible plainly DOES NOT condemn alcohol. It condemns being drunk. It gives the perfect example of a drunk and then warns of partaking in that kind of behavior. I think there are plenty of reasons NOT the drink but to make the Bible say something that it doesn’t isn’t the correct way of teaching non-consumption!
9 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 7:42am, michelle polk wrote:
Part 2…
Teaching things like the body being the temple of the Holy Spirit and self control are better tools. Living with an alcoholic for most of my life I know the foolishness of taking that first drink. Why someone would take open their child up to a temptation like drinking alcohol is really strange and I would have to question his wisdom. I do think that teaching your children about alcohol IS wise but ultimately it should be up the individual. Opening your child up to it yourself will probably make it more wanted since the child will trust your judgement in giving them their first drink! We use to teach that the Bible says NOT to drink but when I realized that was a lie I lined our words up with the truth and then gave them the same warnings that Proverbs gave. I had the perfect example in my parent. Now it is up to them to make the choice.
10 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 5:02pm, michelle polk wrote:
THis is what my Bible says in relation to your quote.
2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
ONE of the best insights on the passage you are quoting is that Jesus turned footwashing water into wine. Not that he was trying to save anyone’s reputation.
11 On Jan 5th, 2009, at 2:12pm, BOB GADD wrote:
Yes his hour had not come....and yes, the pots were empty....they had to be filled...with water...yes the pots were for the cerimonal rite of foot washing....yes the water was turned to wine.......Jesus was a Nazareine, they did not drink “hard drink”, and He also was our high priest.. a High Priest did not drink ANY alcohol or “from the vine”.....the Bible, while it does condemn aclochol...in excess, it also talks about being an offense to someone who is weaker in the faith...be it meat or drink, let us be reasonable and understand that some can drink and not sin...most cannot...I am not my brothers judge...but I am my brtoher keeper....it is NOT freedom that allows us to partake....it is usually bondage...Loopholes are for tax codes not the word of God! Just becuase the Bible doesn’t direclty reference Illicit drugs, we would be fools to concieve that Christ condones mind altering drugs.....
12 On Jan 5th, 2009, at 3:35pm, chelz in mississippi wrote:
We were referring to drugs! We were talking about alcohol. I am not looking for loopholes. I don’t drink but at the same time I wouldn’t want to misuse the Word to LIE to people. Sin will be around a LONG time. It is better to warn of it than to try to force people to stop doing it with a lie. Give them the truth about strong drink or drugs along with scriptures that encourage fruits of the Spirit and leave it up to them. The Word also speaks of the the law of the land being an arm of the Lord. We don’t have to get upset about alcohol users. It is better to pray for people to make the right choices.Afterall, God gives everyone freewill to take drugs, alcohol, murder, covet, commit adultery. It is the consequences that we have to deal with.