Is It Permissible for a Christian to Drink Alcohol?
The attitude of the Christian community varies considerably on the question of drinking alcoholic beverages. Many groups believe in total abstinence, believing that the devastation of alcohol abuse in our culture requires a decisive statement on the part of Christians to discourage its use. Among these teetotaler groups, even communion wine is not tolerated, with grape juice used as a natural alternative.
A Scriptural justification for abstaining from the consumption of beverage alcohol is found in the Nazarite vow of Numbers 6. Certain individuals who were making a total commitment to God’s service took the Nazarite vow and it included not cutting one’s hair and not touching a dead body as well as not consuming any alcoholic beverages. However, the Nazarite vow was taken for a specific period of time, not for a lifetime. Other than this temporary vow, the general tone of Scripture on the use of alcohol is moderation.
During the time of Jesus and the apostles, wine was the common beverage during meals. In the wedding at Cana, Jesus turned water into wine. Although there are biblical scholars who conclude that the wine was highly diluted, it is likely that it had some alcohol content. During the Last Supper, Jesus blessed the cup wine as the symbol of His blood. Paul admonished Timothy to “drink a little wine for your stomach’s sake”, recognizing wine’s medicinal benefits. Thus the general message of the New Testament is that the Christian is permitted to drink wine in moderation (1 Timothy 5:23), however, drunkenness is never an option (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 13:13; 1 Timothy 3:8).
Nevertheless, the earnest Christian has good reasons to consider abstinence in regard to alcohol. This decision for a disciplined lifestyle is a personal choice, one that testifies to the world about a believer’s resolve and seriousness. Just like the athlete, who trains hard and restricts what he eats and drinks, the disciplined believer is focused on the prize (Philippians 3:13-14) and has put aside anything that may hinder the race (Hebrews 12:1-2). The believer willingly chooses to put aside that which is permissible to embrace that which is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).
Furthermore, abstinence from alcohol serves as an example to weak brother (Romans 14:1-4), in this case, the reformed alcoholic. The earnest believer is careful that his exercise of Christian liberty does not become a stumbling block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9) or a source of criticism from non-believers. Paul exhorts the mature believers, “Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)
While it may be permissible for a Christian to drink alcohol in moderation, it is beneficial for a Christian to abstain from alcohol, as a personal discipline, without judging others, to give himself or herself without reservation to the work of the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). In a culture awash in the negative effects of alcohol abuse, it may be prudent for the believer to abstain entirely in order to remain above reproach.
