No Christian should defend drunkenness. Drunkenness is sin, an evil to be repented of, something that cannot be defended or excused by anyone. This was the subject of our first article in this series about social drinking (Part 1).

Now that we have that clear truth expressed, we can move on to what is controversial. Many Christians today believe that it is okay to drink intoxicating beverages if they are careful to keep sober. Some might go so far as to criticize those Christians that don’t as legalistic or immature believers.

Other Christians believe very strongly that abstinence is the only position on alcohol that is appropriate for believers in Christ. They might wonder how Christians that do drink could possibly be godly. Some would insist that abstinence should be an absolute for all Christians.

After the first article on drunkenness, one reader commented: “I would be interested in knowing why you chose to share only the verses that warn against drunkenness without also sharing verses related to the gifts God has given us, the beauty of enjoying good things in moderation, verses that describe God’s people consuming alcohol, and verses that seem to even permit or promote the consumption of alcohol.” This present article was planned to show how these ideas he mentioned are indeed communicated in Scripture and must be discussed.

Wherever our starting point is on social drinking, it is very important for all of us to think biblically and respond humbly. The fact that good Christians throughout history have strong disagreement on this issue should give us pause and result in a gracious spirit towards those who disagree. The issue is a complex one.  

Consider the following common arguments from those that would be in favor of social drinking in moderation (no drunkenness):

Argument 1: God’s Word describes wine as a good thing.

Both the Old Testament and New Testament describe drinking wine as normal. Not only this, but it is described positively.

Many verses describe wine as good, a sign of prosperity, of God’s blessing. God spoke to Israel of the promised land being a place of abundance of wine in many passages. Wine is even tithed upon and given to the LORD (Num 15:5-10). Ecclesiastes tells us that drinking wine has the approval of God ( Eccl 9:7). Another passages expresses that wine given by God can have a positive physical influence on the body and spirit (Ps 104:14-15).

A casual search of “wine” in Scripture shows us Melchizedek, Job, Isaac, Boaz, Jesse, David, and many others drinking wine with no rebuke or negative connotation. Even Jesus and His disciples drank wine (Jn 2). Some Christians read these accounts and wonder how any believers could be zealous for abstinence.

Argument 2: Jesus turned water into wine at Cana.

Those convinced that Christians are free to drink often argue that we can do so because Jesus turned water into wine (Jn 2:1-11). Jesus and His disciples had attended a wedding feast. There Jesus performed a miracle, turning water into wine. We see from this that it cannot be true that wine itself is evil, or Jesus would not have made wine from the water in the pitchers. Jesus was without sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:14-15).

Argument 3: Jesus declared all foods clean.

Others would argue that Christians should be free to drink because Jesus declared that all food is morally clean. Jesus clearly wanted us to understand that there is no food or drink that is inherently unclean. Sin comes from the heart of man.

Further, it was under the old covenant that God told His people to keep food laws. There were foods declared clean that could be eaten, and there were other foods that were declared to be unclean and could not be eaten. Under the new covenant there are no laws about clean and unclean foods. For instance, believers today can eat pork, but under the old covenant they could not.

In Mark 7:18-23, Jesus said, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”[1] (See also Acts 10:9-16.)

These verses teach us that there is nothing from the outside that can make God’s people unclean, and that includes intoxicating beverages. The liquid that contains alcohol is not inherently evil.

Argument 4: Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine.

Some who drink socially appeal to the passage where the apostle Paul told his son in the faith and missionary co-worker, Timothy, to drink a little wine for his ailing stomach’s sake (1 Tim. 5:2-3). Obviously, Paul did not consider the beverage to be inherently evil or unclean.

Argument 5: God did not demand abstinence for church leaders.

Another argument is that the qualifications for leaders in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-11 do not demand that spiritual leaders abstain from all alcoholic beverages. These verses tell us the spiritual qualifications necessary for those who are to be leaders, elders and deacons, in the church. These verses state that leaders must be “above reproach,” “not a drunkard,” “sober-minded,” “self-controlled,” and “not addicted to much wine,” but there is no prohibition of potentially intoxicating beverages. Paul seems to assume that believers had the freedom to drink in moderation.

Argument 6: We must be all things to all men.

1 Corinthians 9 teaches us that we must lay aside all unnecessary offenses to effectively obtain an audience for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (v.22). Obviously, Paul is not advocating sinful behavior as an acceptable catalyst for gospel proclamation.

Does this principle encourage social drinking without inebriation? Drinking alcoholic beverages is a primary activity of recreation and socializing for countless millions of people around the world, especially men. Most Christians will be invited to drink socially countless times.

Alcohol is usually offered at weekend gatherings, weddings, business functions, sporting events, etc. To be present at the table in a round of “cheers” without alcohol in one’s glass is seen as bad form, even offensive. This issue is very relevant to daily life for many Christians.

A confusing passage

One passage that confuses some is Proverbs 31:6-7: “Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” Some seem to think that this verse dismisses all argumentation for abstinence. However, the context suggests that this statement is sarcasm. It is a contrast between the king, who should never allow himself to be inebriated and his judgment impaired, with a commoner in extreme circumstances who might drown his sorrows in alcohol. Many verses should make it clear that such a response to sorrow could never be God’s will for His people. To use inebriation to deal with their stress and sorrows is not an option (Eph. 5:15-18).

Is the case closed, then?

An obvious conclusion from these many passages is that wine is not evil. We could go further and say that beverages and substances that are potentially intoxicating are not inherently evil. Even more, we see that drinking an intoxicating beverage is not sinful either.

Now that we have seen these things to be true, does this mean, then, that Christians today should embrace social drinking? Could we say that Christians have a right to drink if they so choose? Should Christians be encouraged to drink as a positive recreation to enjoy with moderation? Should social drinking be a non-issue for believers?

After considering the arguments in this article, some might consider the case closed. However, there are other passages of Scripture and biblical principles that Christians bring to bear on this subject that we have not yet considered.

As we begin to consider biblical arguments which favor abstinence, it is important for us to understand the difference between the use of wine in the Bible and the modern manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages consumed today. We cannot really have an informed or honest discussion about social drinking without considering this difference. That difference is the subject of our next article.

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the ESV.