Debate: Should a Christian or a Christian Leader Drink Alcohol?

This is a great question to be debated with many issues from the Bible. This question of whether the Bible promotes or condemns the drinking of alcohol is a sticky one because (1) it carries so much emotional baggage, (2) typically one’s opinion of this topic categorizes them into one of two camps: liberal-tolerant or conservative-intolerant, and (3) it may mean that I have been doing something wrong, encouraged someone else to do something wrong, and that I may need to change. Given the emotion, preconceived notions or assumptions made about alcohol, it has always been and probably will continue to be a very important topic to discuss, engage, interact, and sometimes be lead to a proper biblical conclusion. While I am not arrogant enough to say that this single blog post will do better than the many books or other blog posts (Some good blog reads or articles regarding this are: Dan Wallace’s “The Bible and Alcohol” (Wallace is a premiere, conservative, evangelical NT Greek scholar) & Why I am not a Dispensationalist’s “Alchol and the New Testament“, Pete Mullin’s “Last Call for Alcohol“, and Timothy Archer’s series “The Christian and Alcohol.”) or even be the article that concludes the matter, I do hope to contribute to the conversation.

In previous posts on wine, strong drink, liquor, and drunk/drunkenness in anticipation of this post, I have added all the verses that I could think of in word search order (based on the New American Standard by English word by BibleWorks). While every verse is important and should be considered, here are some of the basic arguments for each side.

Arguments for Alcohol include:

1. Jesus went to a wedding & converted water into wine (Jn 2:1-10).
2. Jesus drank wine (Luke 7:33-34).
3. Food (and implicitly fluids) declared clean (Matt 15:10-20).
4. Paul commanded Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach (1 Ti 5:23).
5. Allowed in moderation. The word “given” means addicted as shown in the ASV, NASB, and NIV (1 Ti 3:1-3)
6. Wine used at Lord’s Supper (Matt 26:27-29; 1 Cor 11:16, 20-22).

Arguments against Alcohol include:

1. Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible by Jesus, Paul and Peter (Luke 21:34; Eph 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
2. When Jesus and Paul/Timothy encouraged the drinking of wine either through command or example, they did so because it was culturally better for them to drink wine than water. From Pete Mullins: “Wine consumed in the New Testament, already very low in alcohol content, was typically diluted to a ratio of 3 to 4 to 1 (80%) with water. One American beer today (4-5% alcohol volume by weight) would be considered excessive by Jews, Greeks, and Romans of the New Testament Age.”
3. OT priests who were ministering and Nazirites were forbidden to drink (Lev 10:9; Num 6:2).
4. 1 Cor 6 and 10: “While all things may be lawful, not all things are profitable.” Abuse of alcohol is not consistent with a spiritually mature lifestyle. (1 Corinthians 6:9)
5. We must follow the law of the land and anyone under the age of 21 in America cannot drink (Rom 13:1; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 2:13-14).
6. Consequences of alcohol are lack of self-control (1 Thess 5:7-8) and is associated with various forms of sexual immorality (OT; Rom 13:13).

Here are some questions to consider when deciding on whether drinking is permissible, sinful, or good in moderation. Disclaimer: This post is written to anyone who considers themselves to be a Christian. And therefore, I am assuming that they have the basic Christian values of having the Bible as their supreme authority.

1. Culturally, what reputation does drinking have? What is related to drinking: sex, drugs, socializing, etc?
2. Do I live in a bubble or in isolation from anyone else? If this is yes, why? Or, what makes you think that? Do you go to church? Why or why not? Should you go to church (see Heb 10:25)?
3. Given that Jesus drank wine and Paul commanded Timothy (an elder, even a pastor?) to drink wine, we need to understand what wine was culturally. From Pete Mullins: “Wine consumed in the New Testament, already very low in alcohol content, was typically diluted to a ratio of 3-4 to 1 (80%) with water. One American beer today (4-5% alcohol volume by weight) would be considered excessive by Jews, Greeks, and Romans of the New Testament Age.” Furthermore, it was typically “safer” for a person to drink wine over water due to cleanliness (non-religious). So considering this, would Jesus still have set the example and would Paul have commanded Timothy? Furthermore, since they only used wine, does this imply that one can expand this to include liquor, strong drink, or even beer? Or is it ok for Christians and Christian leaders to drink wine, but not liquor, strong drink, or even beer?
4. What about the other Christian principles of stronger brother-weaker brother (Rom 14) and being above reproach (Phil 2:15; 1 Tim 3:2; 5:7; Tit 1:6-7)? Do they have a place in this discussion?
5. What is the balance between legalism and license and grace (Rom 6; Gal 5)?
6. Personally, do you or anyone in your family struggle with addictive behaviors?

First, I think it needs to be said, drinking alcohol in and of itself in moderation (without the slightest buzz, good feeling, or any other supposed “benefit”) is possibly ok depending on the culture in which you find yourself. For example, in some cultures, it would be disgraceful to deny a beer with someone. Yet on the other hand, any reasonable person would understand if you chose to abstain and gave an excellent, well thought-out statement to such regards (that does not over simplify the answer and thus become offensive).

Second, I have hear people and writers say that it is a personal matter; however, I strongly believe that is not the case whatsoever. First, we are made to be in community. Look at all the one another commands in Scripture (approx. 60 verses!). We are not forsake the gathering of believers (community, Heb 10:25). We are members of one another (Eph 4:25). The Trinity exists in community. So nothing we do is made in a bubble or in isolation. So what do I mean by the cultural caveat? Well, we must ask ourselves what does drinking alcohol mean in America, Europe, Asia, etc? What kind of assumptions do people make of those who drink in America or Germany? It’s one thing here in America and one thing completely different in Germany. So does that mean I should fly to Germany to be able to have a beer? No, because there are other factors to consider as well.

Third, it appears that the next generation of Christian leaders that are coming up after Dobson (etc) are a little more tolerant than the previous generation, and I am not so sure that is a good thing. It is apparent that American culture has rubbed off on what many Christian leaders think about such matters as dancing (not just ballroom, but all kinds and it pervades TV), playing cards (it’s even on ESPN now), drinking, pre-marital sex (or even oral sex and all the sexual innuendos), etc. American culture has probably rubbed off on us more than we would like to admit, even Wallace makes this observation. So whatever happened to the thoughts of being “above reproach?” I can remember when I first heard that phrase. I thought, “Man! Those are some old words!” Then I checked and I wasn’t reading the King James Bible. So I re-read it and had to look up the word, reproach. Reproach simply means “disgrace, shame” or “criticism.” So to be above reproach would be to live in such a way that no one can find anything wrong. The best example that I know of is Daniel. In Daniel 1, Daniel decided not to defile himself with food and lived according to kosher rules in a foreign land (Dan 1:8-17). Later Daniel then began to separate himself from the others through his exemplary life (Dan 6:3). This made the others jealous and angry, so they set out to find out something against Daniel and found nothing! (Dan 6:4-5). That’s above reproach! How does that carry over to today? Well, going to a liquor store or to a bar is not being above reproach because of the associations, reputations, and the speculations that go along with these. Many want to use evangelism as the reason they go to bars, etc. However, can we not evangelize these same people somewhere else? Yes, and yes it would prove to be more difficult, but Jesus didn’t say that it would be easy. As Christians, we must not only think of the lost, we must also think of our weaker brothers/sisters. Would them knowing that we went to a bar or liquor store encourage them in their walk or cause them to stumble? Could any who knew that I went to a bar fall back into their alcoholism? Could anyone use what I’ve done taking it to its logical extreme and rationalize their own sinful behavior? Are we willing to forsake our own desires in sacrifice for the greater good of someone else (Rom 14:21)?

As an aside, I believe it is important to agree with Dr. Wallace on one important issue: the weaker brother. For many the weaker brother is wrongly assumed to be the one who appears to have no rules. While in some cases this may be true, especially if they haven’t thought through the issue (whatever that may be); however, it should be noted that “(1) Christians tend to compile rules and regulations that go beyond what is written; and (2) when such grey zones are considered evil, those who do not abide by such rules are often viewed as ‘the weaker brother.’ In reality, the weaker brother in Scripture is the one who has too many scruples, not too ferw (cf. Romans 14)!”

Finally, I am certain that this issue is one of degrees. For example, this is a debatable issue and Christians are allowed to come down on both sides of the fence. For me, it almost entirely depends on one’s culture and that culture changes from city to city, state to state, country to country. So I cannot and will not say that drinking is entirely wrong and a sin always, simply because I believe that to be stretching the biblical record. However, for me, as one who aspires to be a Christian leader and does not want to be the source of anyone else’s drinking (whether rationally or irrationally), one who has addictive tendencies, and as one who promised his wife that I would not drink, drinking is wrong.

Pro Alcohol	Contra Alcohol
Jesus went to a wedding & converted water into wine (Jn 2:1-10).	Drunkenness is condemned in the Bible by Jesus, Paul, and Peter (Luke 21:34; Eph 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
Jesus drank wine (Luke 7:33-34).	When Jesus and Paul/Timothy encouraged the drinking of wine either through command or example, they did so because it was culturally better for them to drink wine than water
Food (and implicitly fluids) declared clean (Matt 15:10-20).	The emphasis of Matt 15:10-20 is on the heart (Matt 15:18-19), and Matt 15:20 explains what Jesus meant by foods that enter a person’s stomach. Surely, he did not mean to imply drink.
Paul commanded Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach (1 Ti 5:23).	From Pete Mullins: “Wine consumed in the New Testament, already very low in alcohol content, was typically diluted to a ratio of 3 to 4 to 1 (80%) with water. One American beer today ( 4-5% alcohol volume by weight) would be considered excessive by Jews, Greeks, and Romans of the New Testament Age.”
Allowed in moderation. The word “given” means addicted as shown in the ASV, NASB, and NIV (1 Ti 3:1-3).	While all things may be lawful, not all things are profitable.
Wine used at Lord’s Supper (Matt 26:27-29; 1 Cor 11:16, 20-22)	Absolutely! But then again, could this be cultural?

So, let’s clarify a few things. First, should we not drink because Nazirites didn’t drink? No, Nazirites took a vow not to drink and one should only use this parallel if they too have taken a similar vow. This should not be pushed on to others as a requirement of good Christian living or maturity.

Second, should we not drink because priests were not allowed to drink while ministering (Lev 10:9) since we took are of the priesthood of believers (1 Pet 2:5, 9)? To the basic layperson, I believe that this verse does not apply. However, the interpretation of this verse lies almost completely on whether one is a dispensationalist or a covenantalist because of their respective hermeneutics.

Third, the Bible is both neutral (Genesis 14:18; Esther 5:6; 7:1-2; Job 1:13; Daniel 10:3, cf. Matt 9:17; 21:33; John 15; 1 Tim 5:23), positive (Deut 14:26; Ps 4:7; 104:14-15; Prov 3:10; Song 1:2, 4; 4:10; 7:9; Isa 25:6; lack of wine = judgement, Jer 48:33; Lam 2:12; Hos 2:9; Jer 48:33; Lam 2:12; Hos 2:9; Joel 1:10; Hag 2:16; andits provision a blessing from the Lord, cf. Gen 27:28; Deut 7:13; 11:14; Joel 2:19, 24; 3:18; Amos 9:13-14; also Isa 55:1; Jer 31:12; Zech 9:17), and negative (Eph 5:18) (and yes both can refer to 2 or 3 things; see also Wallace, “Bible and Alcohol“).

So is the notion, everything in moderation an apt notion to follow in regards to alcohol? I do not believe it is. Let’s take that notion or idea in moderation. Not everything is good in moderation. Some things are better when there is less and other things when there is more. To me, the drinking question finally boils down to one issue: the heart. Are we asking the question to rationalize our own wants, desires, and selfishness? Or, are we truly seeking out what God wants in our lives? Have we weighed all the issues? In one sense drinking wine/alcohol is all right; however, in another sense it is completely wrong. At best, the decision to drink is situational and circumstantial. But is this an issue we are willing to lose fellowship over? Is this an issue that we are willing to leave a church over? Is this an issue that we are willing to cause the destruction or the beginning of the destruction or a relapse into destruction of another brother/sister based on their perception (and yes, their perception can be controlled to a degree)? I am not sure that I am willing to allow that in my life, and while I have other issues that I need to work on that may even parallel the severity of this issue in regards to the weaker brother-stronger brother issue and being above reproach, I have come to a conclusion on this. Yet, I do not want to push it onto others. I simply want to challenge their thought processes. And just as Jesus and John the Baptist both went two directions and both were leaders (though this really doesn’t compare since I seriously doubt that Jesus got drunk in any way), we still should judge or condemn or regard one another with contempt based on our decisions though we can discuss freely and even lively (cf. Rom 14:3).