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Can Christians Justify The Drinking Of Alcoholic Beverages?

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

Genesis 9:18-27 is the first recorded use of an alcoholic beverage by Noah. He used his knowledge of wine making for the purpose of growing a vineyard and producing it. From the fruit of his labors, he got profoundly inebriated. The Bible is very clear about the effects of alcohol in the body. For example, in Proverbs 20:1 KJV, we learn that intoxicating beverages (“strong drink”) deceives the mind. We cannot trust our judgment while under the influence of alcohol. Things that we would not do while sober become things to consider while drunk.

In Isaiah 28:1-3; Isaiah 28:7-8; and Proverbs 31:4-5 KJV), a warning is given to rulers not to drink because they will make mistakes in judgment. In our own laws, we recognize this warning. A modern slogan is, “Don’t drink and drive.” We understand that a person under the influence of alcohol is prone to make mistakes that can cost someone their life. Isn’t it odd that people say, “I know when to quit,” yet while they are drinking, alcohol can cause them to err in their own judgment about how drunk they are?

Moral standards are also lowered by alcohol (Habakkuk 2:15). Since alcohol impairs judgment, people make mistakes in regard to moral decisions. A person under the influence of alcohol will do things that he would not do while sober. This is why alcohol is often used at social gatherings. A person under the influence of alcohol forgets he is shy and blurts out things he would normally keep to himself. The incident involving Noah shows the effect of alcohol on his thinking as he laid naked in his tent while he was drunk (Genesis 9:20-21). Both Proverbs 23:29-33 and Isaiah 5:11 contain detailed descriptions of drunkenness and alcoholism.

It is clear that repeatedly getting drunk is condemned by God. Paul said, in I Thessalonians 5:5-8, that drunkenness is associated with darkness (or evil). Christians need a sound, sober mind to perform their duties before God. A drunk is not sober-minded. In Romans 13:13-14, Paul describes proper behavior as not being drunk or carousing. The word translated “drunkenness” gives us the idea of drunken parties, which are condemned (1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21. Other actions associated with drinking parties are also condemned, such as promiscuity (“chambering” KJV), which literally means illicit sexual activity.

Peter also warns against the use of alcohol in I Peter 4:3. The word “lasciviousness” means a desire for sin that is so strong, you don’t care what other people (or God) think about it. “Lust” is a desire for things that are forbidden. Peter then uses three different words which describe degrees of drinking. “Excess of wine” (or “drunkedness”) refers to the down-and-out drunk. The term, “revellings” refers to people who are intoxicated, but not completely drunk. This type of drinking is usually associated with wild drinking parties. “Banquetings” are social gatherings where alcoholic drinks are served, but not necessarily to excess.

In all three cases, Peter is saying that these are things that Christians have left behind when they left the world. Despite this clear evidence, there are people who still wish to justify moderate drinking of alcohol. Let us examine some of their typical arguments:

1) It is not always condemned in the Bible – Much of the ambiguity in our Bibles is actually caused by the translators of the text. Not only is translation is a complex process, but translators have a difficult time keeping their own personal opinions out of the translation. While the Hebrew language contains several words for grape products, these varied words are typically translated under the generic word “wine.” The following is a list of the Hebrew words, their definitions, and related passages to show that the definition is correct:

“Yayin” is a generic term used to identify all products derived from grapes. The actual meaning of the term must be derived from the context. It is used of the juice still in the grape before it has been squeezed out (cf. Jeremiah 40:10; Jeremiah 48:33; Isaiah 16:10; Deuteronomy 28:39). It is used of freshly squeezed grape juice (cf. Jeremiah 48:33; Exodus 22:29). It is used of boiled grape syrup which is later reconstituted with water (Proverbs 9:2,5). It is used of fermented grape juice (Proverbs 20:1). It is used of fermented grape juice that has drugs added (Proverbs 23:30; Isaiah 5:22).

“Tirosh” is a specific term used to identify fresh grape juice, sometimes so fresh, it is still in the clusters (Isaiah 65:8; Joel 2:24; Proverbs 3:10). “Chemer” is literally the blood of the grape as it comes out of a squeezed grape — the emphasis is on its pure, unadulterated state (Deuteronomy 32:14; Isaiah 27:2). “Asis” is a generic term for any fruit juice (Song of Solomon 8:2; Isaiah 49:26; Joel 1:5; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13). “Sobe” is syrup made from grape juice as a means of preserving it. It is mixed with water to reconstitute it (Isaiah 1:22, Hosea 4:18, Nahum 1:10). “Shekar” is usually translated “strong drink” and refers to any alcoholic drink made from grains or fruit. Every time it is used, it is condemned (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Numbers 28:7; Deuteronomy 14:26; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4; Judges 13:7; Judges 13:14; I Samuel 1:15; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 31:4-6; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 24:9; Isaiah 28:7; Isaiah 29:9; Isaiah 56:12; Micah 2:11).

When we divide the Old Testament passages between alcoholic versus non-alcoholic beverages, we quickly learn that God consistently condemned the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Approval is only shown for non-alcoholic drinks. In the New Testament, the Greek language does not distinguish between grape products. All products derived from grapes are called by one generic word, which is translated as “wine” in our English Bibles. We can only determine the specific meaning from the context of the verse. However, the Greek does distinguish between the various uses of alcohol as we pointed out in I Peter 4:3. This passage does show the difference in the “quantity” of alcohol consumed. Each level of drinking, from light social gatherings to down-and-out binge drinking is associated with non-Christian living. Note that just two verses before, in I Peter 4:1, Peter warns Christians to “cease from sin.”

2) Jesus turned water to wine – In John 2:1-11, we know that Jesus converted water into some product of grapes. If the drink produced was intoxicating, then Jesus supplied more alcoholic beverages to a group who had already drank all the available supply. A quick calculation shows that Jesus made about 120 to 160 gallons of drink. Consuming this quantity of liquor would have constituted a huge drinking party. However, drinking parties are condemned, so we must conclude that the drink must have been unfermented.

Note that the governor of the feast, called Jesus’ drink the “best” served during the feast. The best wine does not necessarily refer to the beverage with the greatest alcohol content. In a culture without refrigeration, fresh, pure grape juice was a treasured treat. The governor was simply complimenting the host on the drink’s “quality” of taste. Also notice from our study of the Hebrew words for grape products, that the Old Law did not permit the serving of alcoholic beverages, and since Jesus did not violate the Law (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), the wine Jesus made could not have been alcoholic.

3) Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach ailment – It seems that no matter how much alcohol a person consumes, 1 Timothy 5:23 is usually quoted to justify their practice. However, in this passage, the alcohol is being used for medicinal purposes only, and has nothing to do with social drinking. It would be similar to saying that since Valium or marijuana has medicinal benefits, we can regularly get high on Valium or marijuana.

4) Social drinking isn’t bad if one does it in their home or if one is visiting a fine restaurant – To show how poor this line of reasoning is, consider its meaning if we substituted another sin in its place. Would adultery be acceptable if it is only practiced at home or in a fine hotel? The place where something is practiced does not make an act right or wrong. Don’t fool yourself into thinking a sin is acceptable just because few people are aware you are doing it (John 3:19; I Thessalonians 5:5-8).

5) There are foreign places where a traveler cannot drink the water – Intoxicants are the only safe beverages – This line of reasoning (?) reminds me of the story of a soldier who had been reading his Bible out on the desert during the war. He placed it in his breast pocket, over his heart, and returned to battle. An enemy’s bullet struck him in the chest, but his Bible stopped the bullet. His brush with death scared him so much that he decided to be baptized, but being in the desert, he couldn’t find any water. Before he could be baptized, a land mine killed him! What will happen to him? To these individuals, this “story” proves that we don’t need baptism for salvation.

Dear reader, people who haven’t been reading their Bible, have no Bible in their pockets, have no bullets in their Bible, aren’t hunting water, and are not within 50 miles of a land mine, offer such foolish arguments because they don’t want to obey the Lord! People who sob about drinking in a foreign country are in the same boat. It’s not that they have no choice. It’s simply because they aren’t interested in any other choice.

Instead of trying to justify a questionable practice, Christians should be seeking ways to avoid sin – not seeing how close they can get to it! (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:22). As Christians, we need to be watchful and sober, ever vigilant in our duties (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8). A soldier is never allowed to drink while on duty, because drinking will dull his senses. Brethren, we are soldiers of God, and ever on duty while we live in this world of corruption (2 Timothy 2:3-4; cf. Ephesians 6:11-18). We simply cannot engage in drinking intoxicating beverages and be pleasing to God.

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