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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
Ask almost any two people from the same church affiliation, or a different affiliation. and you will often hear condemnation or approval of the partaking of alcoholic beverages.
Each side of the issue has convincing arguments for it's stance. Some say its OK in "moderation" (whatever that is...usually determined by personal opinion and practice). One person stated that he had never allowed alcohol of any kind to touch his lips (he lived to be 84 years old). There is another who drank alchohol, smoked every day of his life, and lived to be 100. To make a determination of the answer to the controversy by evidence appears to be difficult - to say the least. There are too many variables.
In religious circles, there appears to be just as many variables. Some based on perceived religious considerations. Some of these are based on "moderating"; some on Biblical evidence (there is disagreement concerning evidence; even what evidence consist of). If one appeals to Biblical evidence, the same, or similar variables also arise.
We see this exemplified in the book of Proverbs:
" It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more." - Proverbs 31:4-7
One's take on this scripture usually depends on the upbringing, personal experience, observations, and Biblical interpretation by the individual. In short, one can interpret the issue - based on this scripture - according to one's upbringing, personal experiences, or church doctrine. Otherwise, it is a strictly personal issue.
From a Christian viewpoint, based on what the Bible reveals, it seems to be a personal preference and a personal issue. As for the Bible, it seems to be silent about drinking alcohol per se, other than the scripture above. However, the Bible is plainly not silent concerning one issue regarding drinking any alcoholic beverage.
There are numerous scriptures in the New Testament condemning drunkenness. It seems to approve of it in extreme moderation. Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding celebration. Apparently, this must have been a celebration in moderation, and approved of by Jesus himself.
From this incident, plus the numerous admonitions against drunkenness in the New Testament, it seems apparent that there is only one biblical restriction regarding alcohol as a personal issue. If one drinks to excess to the point of being drunk, it becomes a sin issue. Drink alcohol or not drink, but if you do, beware of excess. Drinking is a personal issue if done in moderation.
Otherwise, it becomes a sin issue.
"But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of Christian brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God, or is a person with a foul tongue railing, abusing, reviling, slandering, or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. No you must not so much as eat with such a person." - 1 Corinthians 5:11
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