Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Perspectives: By Catherine Rybicki

YES:

Many believers have struggled with the question of “should Christians drink alcohol?” According to the Bible, one can infer that alcohol consumption is acceptable, but that Christians should consume alcohol with self-control and in moderation. There are several places in Scripture that the discerning Christians can look to see that alcohol consumption is acceptable within moderation. Along with that, there are several other points that could be made in support of moderate drinking.

  1. The Bible condemns drunkards, but Jesus seems to be in support of both abstinence from alcohol and moderate consumption of it. In the Old Testament, wine was at times seen as a gift from God and he was praised for gifting it (Ps. 104:14-15); yet excessive drinking of wine was condemned (Prov. 20:1). Jesus himself performed a miracle of transforming water into wine, and it was noted in the Scripture that it was good wine (John 2:1-12). The apostle Paul also encouraged Timothy, a young pastor, to take some wine for his stomach ailment (1 Tim. 3:8).

  2. Though modern distillation practices did not exist in the ancient world, people in the Bible still succumbed to drunkenness. The Bible speaks often of “strong drink” and at other times of “good wine.” The book of Proverbs contains a multitude of warnings about this “strong drink” (Prov. 20:1; 21:17; 23:29–35; 31:4). Even if alcoholic drink in the ancient world was different, people in the Bible still fell prey to drunkenness — drunkenness was indeed something to be condemned.

  3. Alcohol consumption can cause a brother or sister to stumble, and therefore Christians should drink with moderation and self-control. Paul warns against that which could cause a brother or sister to stumble, where causing such a thing is understood to be sinful (Rom. 14:20–21). Therefore, if a Christian brother or sister with whom you are dining out with is known to have struggled with alcoholism and addiction to alcoholic drink, it would be wise to abstain from drinking alcohol in this instance. Moderation of alcohol consumption is wise, and self-control must be exercised by all believers under all such circumstances.

NO:

Many believers have struggled with the question of “should Christians drink alcohol?” According to the Bible, one can infer that alcohol consumption is unacceptable, and that Christians should abstain from all alcoholic drink. There are several places in Scripture that the discerning Christians can look to see that abstinence from alcoholic consumption is in fact biblical. Along with that, there are several other points that could be made in support of abstinence from alcoholic drink.

  1. The Bible condemns drunkards, drunkenness and drinking parties. Obvious intoxication and other sins involving drinking are condemned in the Scriptures. Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10), and drunkenness is intolerable (1 Pet. 4:1-5). The apostle Peter also condemns those who partake in “drinking parties,” which often led to other acts of debauchery.

  2. Ancient drink and modern drink are not the same. Modern distillation practices did not exist in ancient times, and therefore ancient drink was certainly not the same as it is today. One should not assume that “wine” in the Old and New Testament is to be understood in the same manner that one might understand “wine” today. It is a possibility that alcoholic drink in the ancient times did not have the same devastating effect that it can on the human body today.

  3. Alcohol consumption can cause a brother or sister to stumble, and therefore abstinence is the preferred resolution. It is undoubtedly a sin to cause a brother to stumble in their walk of faith (Rom. 14:20–21). If drinking alcohol could be a stumbling block to a brother or sister, then it is better to abstain from it altogether to avoid such dangers. In order to avoid the possibility of causing a brother or sister to stumble, it is wise to abstain from alcoholic drink completely.

Catherine Rybicki , “Should Christians Drink Alcohol?” The Witness, Fall 2019