My great friend and now pastor of FBC Gunter, TX, Jack Newton, spoke about why Christians should abstain from drinking alcohol recently. Following the presentation, an inquiring member wondered how to address the passages in the Bible which speak of wine and strong drink, sometimes without approbation. So Jack compiled the passages, categorized them, then wrote up his observations in a one page conclusion. My own argument, which is completely compatible with Jack’s, is in my post from last year entitled, “Capital T-Total: Why Abstinence from Alcohol.” Jack’s argument is immediately below, ending with a list of the passages he considered:
The Uses of Alcohol in the Bible
by Jack Newton
Overview
There are four categories where the words “wine” and “strong drink” are utilized in the Bible. The first three categories deal with the usage of alcohol and the fourth is other mentions of the words without a teaching on their usage.
The first category is that of the recreational use of alcohol. In this section it can be noted that there is NO positive example or teaching that endorses the recreational use of alcohol. There are some examples and teaching that are neutral or unclear but those are very few and in no way an endorsement of recreational use (Nehemiah 2:1 for example). It is easy to see the negative effects of the usage of alcohol in this way. People did things that were detrimental and hurtful due to their inebriated state (Genesis 9:21, 19:33, and Habakkuk 2:5 for example). This section also shows in a very positive light, those who refused to engage in this type of drinking (Jeremiah 35:2-14 and Daniel 1:8 for example). Proverbs 23 is the definitive teaching on this type of alcohol usage. It teaches that the wise approach to avoid the problems that alcohol brings into a person’s life is to avoid it altogether (Proverbs 23:31). Ephesians 5:18 makes it clear that the Christian is to be under the influence (filled with) the Holy Spirit rather than alcohol.
The second category is ceremonial use. Alcohol was used in ceremonies, feasts, and weddings. Wine was poured out in the drink offering (Exodus 29:40 for example). The person who took the vow of the Nazirite was to abstain from using alcohol for the length of their vow (Numbers 6:3, 20). Wine was also brought to the temple as an offering (tithe) to the Lord (Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14:23, 26, 18:4 for example). It was also part of the wedding ceremony and feast (John 2). All of these are specific uses of the alcohol before the Lord and again are in no way an endorsement of its recreational usage.
Third there is the medicinal use of alcohol. There are only a few of these verses but they show that alcohol can be used for legitimate physical and emotional needs. This is not an opening for its abuse but a teaching that undergirds what we already know about the use of alcohol in certain medicines.
Finally there are those verses that mention alcohol but are not teachings or examples of its use. These verses fall into several different types. The first consists of the verses that acknowledge that alcohol was consumed but there is no teaching either positive or negative (Genesis 27:25 and Ruth 2:14 for example). The second are the verses that talk about the effects of alcohol but are not teachings on its usage (Psalm 4:7, Psalm 104:15 and Zechariah 10:7 for example). These verses deal with the euphoric effect alcohol has on those who consume it but they are in NO WAY an endorsement of its recreational use. Third, alcohol is used comparatively with something else. The best examples of this are in the Song of Solomon. “Your love is better than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2). This is not actually a statement about wine at all, but a statement of the intoxicating nature of the love mentioned. It is also used to compare to the wrath, anger and judgment of God (Revelation 14:10 and 19:15). Fourth, alcohol is used to represent the provision or judgment of God (Proverbs 3:10 for an example of provision and Jeremiah 25:15 for an example of judgment). Finally, there are many mentions of alcohol that do not fit into any of the above categories or types (Job 32:19 and Matthew 9:17 for example).
In all of the different mentions of the words “wine” and “strong drink” there are some usages of alcohol that are allowed, mandated, and recommended in the Scriptures. It is important to study the passages in context and depth, but NONE of these usages are recreational. Therefore, the prudent and wise thing for Christians today would be to abstain from recreational usage of alcohol.
Recreational Use of Alcohol
Genesis 9:21
He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.
Genesis 9:24
When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him,
Genesis 19:32
Come, let us make Read the rest of this entry »
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