What does the Bible Say About Alcohol Consumption?

 

TOPIC: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION?

By Richard Rice, Ezekiel Kimosop & Heshimu Collar, 9 October 2019. 

Please follow this discussion thread on Facebook by three Bible teachers, namely 

1) Richard Rice, (aka, Richard Musyoka on FB). Richard is a Reformed Pastor from Portland, Oregon, USA

2) Evangelist Heshimu Collar, Christian missionary, Lagos, Nigeria.

3) Ezekiel Kimosop, Evangelical Pastor, Nairobi, Kenya. 

We begin with the first comment by Richard Rice and follow sequentially....

RICHARD RICE

I won't engage in a discussion on this, I've done it too many times to wage a public battle once again. But since others may be too busy, fearful, or without knowledge to answer, here's what I will say and leave it at this: The Scripture doesn't absolutely forbid the drinking of alcohol (1 Tim 5:23). It is suggested by Paul there in a "little" amount - NOT in moderation but "little". And not as a beverage, but only in connection with drinking water. That means the alcohol was used as a medicinal treatment to purify Timothy's drinking water contaminated by harmful bacterial.

Alcohol was used in the ancient world to purify water, though they didn't understand the mechanics. Today we know that alcohol dissolves the outer membrane or skin of bacteria and some parasites. It can be used to sterilize human skin for surgery, cleaning of wounds, cure sores in the mouth, and purify medical instruments before surgery. When added in small amounts to water, it makes the water drinkable for humans, killing both bacteria (like Salmonella and norovirus) and many parasites harmful to human health and life before they reach the intestines or blood stream.  Research also shows that alcohol kills many varieties of dangerous insects. None of these are reasons, from a Biblical position, to "drink" alcohol as a beverage for pleasure or even a religious observance.

Personally, I've never consumed alcohol, but I would add a small amount to water if it was my only option for purifying water. Today we know that the use of certain chemicals or boiling water kills both bacteria and most parasites, but these aren't always available.

The first time drinking of alcohol is mentioned in the Bible (Gen 9:21), it's connected with sin. The second time it's connected with sin (Gen 19:30-35). There isn't a single positive example of drinking alcohol in the Bible. Those who drink alcohol are called unwise. I tell my congregation if they want to drink alcohol, it makes them fools, and for me, that says enough.

Some Reformed folks use Luther as an example to drink. We know that Luther drank beer. We also know that the beer was of a much lower alcohol content than beer today, and that the drinking water available in Germany was heavily polluted with animal and human feces. There was no Coca-Cola or coffee in Luther's day. He had the option of beer or water that would kill him. That is not the case for most of us today.

I've had this discussion with some of my Reformed brethren who drink alcohol as a beverage for both pleasure and "for the glory of God." They say the sin is only in becoming "drunk." When I've asked how the Bible defines the sin of being "drunk" none will answer. Instead, I'm called a pharisee for trampling on their "freedom in Christ". Yet consider that God uses the Bible to define sin for us so we can avoid sinning. If we can't explain what it means to be drunk, how can we avoid it as sin? Are you drunk only when you fall down? Once you vomit? When you get your father to impregnate you? Slur your speech? We can clearly and absolutely define sexual immorality, theft, and blasphemy. Why are we so fearful of defining "drunkenness"?

John MacArthur has done several wonderful sermons on this issue and includes dozens of pages of linguistic, historical, scientific, medical, and Biblical material in his commentary on Ephesians. He shows, for example, that wine in ancient times was far less alcoholic than what is made today. He shows from historical references that in the time of Jesus, no Jew nor Roman would ever drink straight alcohol; it was always mixed with at least 7 parts (or more) of water for each part of alcohol. Only pagans wanting to get drunk consumed it straight. MacArthur also gives excellent reasons why the "wine" Jesus miraculously created at Cana wasn't alcoholic.

HESHIMU COLLAR

Bro Richard Rice has given a view that is held by many, including Charles Spurgeon. Other believers see it differently and do not get drunk. If I'm around a saint that's offended by it, I would usually refrain. I do believe, however, the wine was real wine in John 2, and Judges 9 and Ps 104 both teach us that wine is good, a gift from God, and cheers both God and man. It was accepted in Deut to drink, and the clear admonitions of the new testament are never towards abstinence but drunkenness. That said, we must love others more than our freedoms, and refrain when conscience and love won't allow it. I'd define drunkenness as the point when you go from thankful to under the control of alcohol, but it is a hard definition, though people who drink can generally tell in themselves and others can definitely notice. It is something mature Christians must disagree about and love each other; it falls into Rom 14 for so many people. George Whitefield said Rom 14 was written, and some things are not defined clearly, so that we can love each other.

RICHARD RICE

Agreed Heshimu Colar that freedom in Christ is not personal freedom to do as we choose. Paul carefully defines that freedom as "liberty ... through love serve one another" (Gal 5:13). All that might be acceptable is not beneficial. Many who claim "freedom" for certain things employ that freedom to engage in satisfying personal likes, tastes, and desires rather than the service of other believers.

Let me also add, as MacArthur outlines, the multiple words translated as "wine" in most of the Old Testament translations describe any product of a grape vine. The various words describe everything from fresh grapes off the vine, dried grapes (raisins), fresh-pressed grape juice, a dehydrated grape paste, a grape gel we call "jelly" today, as well as an alcoholic beverage. This widely varied definition of "wine" was recognized in US law into the 1920s when the term was re-defined to refer to only alcohol. Readers of the Old Testament should be careful to understand the nuances of the various Hebrew words and not assume a certain reference is to alcohol.

EZEKIEL KIMOSOP

Heshimu Colar, Charles Spurgeon smoked cigars. How different was this from alcohol?

HESHIMU COLLAR

Ezekiel Kimosop, You can't get drunk off cigar, but other health hazards. Again, nothing in scripture to forbid. He eventually gave it up, if I remember correctly, because of influence on others. A cigar manufacturer began to promote his brand or choice to smoke.

EZEKIEL KIMOSOP

Heshimu Colar, it is an addiction substance nonetheless and believers should not toy with such. Even if there is no express command from Scripture forbidding the practice, there is no denying that hard drugs, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages ultimately destroy the body. This inescapably draws into focus the principle taught in 1 Cor. 6:13, 18-20. That's my point here.

HESHIMU COLLAR

Ezekiel Kimosop, 1 Cor 6 has nothing to do with cigarettes, eating red meat, skydiving, playing in the NFL, or living in a polluted city, all of which can kill you. It has to do with holiness, particularly relating to fornication, and loving each other more than our freedoms.

Paul continues the subject in 1 Cor 9,and talks about having a right to be paid and to marry, but he forsook those rights for a higher purpose.

Christian maturity isn't hating each other because we differ on things that can't be proven. Rom 14 teaches us to give people freedom to serve their own Master. Spurgeon disagreed with Luther and Calvin drinking alcohol, but he read them and esteemed them highly. Let's follow this example and be wise.

There are too many false prophets for needless division among saints.

EZEKIEL KIMOSOP

Heshimu Colar thanks for the remarks. 

I disagree with your interpretation of the Scriptures I cited. I believe that the moral principle goes beyond fornication.

I have not expressed hatred in our divergence of opinion. I have simply taken issue with your view that there is no biblical authority that governs these addictions. That's the elephant in the room!

We were discussing gambling in biblical context and this inevitably took us to other addiction habits such as alcohol and cigarettes.

The truth is that gambling is an addictive habit which creates zombies with eyes only focused on the Jackpot. They neither labor nor apply any known  professional skills other than probability theory.

Nothing motivates a gambler more than the win factor. Millions have been reduced to paupers as a result. 

My sincere view is that a faithful minister of the gospel cannot accommodate such harmful practices under the guise of Christian liberty.

You have not convinced Richard Rice and I that this practice is godly and admissible for believers. Show me a successful Christian gambler and I will show you a greedy and lazy chap.

However, you are at liberty to hold onto your convictions without taking offense with legitimate criticism.

We shall definitely take on the false teachers together but we should not shy away from pointing out the vagaries of this earthly life as well.

HESHIMU COLLAR

Ezekiel Kimosop, Addiction is your issue but the believer has self control. Just because a godless man can't do something, or even a believer with weak faith, doesn't mean a strong believer in that area cannot enjoy it. This is how Romans 14:1-2 opens. Addiction is sin, and people are addicted to their wives and forsake the kingdom, but we don't ban marriage. They're addicted to money and love it, destroying their souls. They are addicted to leisure, politics, and everything under the sun, but the issue is the unthankfulness of the heart.

Grace to you..

EZEKIEL KIMOSOP

Heshimu Colar thanks for the detailed discussion on this issue of alcohol consumption and the believer. 

I stand in disagreement with you on your argument.

Kindly note that addiction is not my issue. I do not consume the froth!

It is a fact that of life that alcoholic beverages and other addiction substances are dangerous not only to the believer but to everyone who engages in the habit. 

We cannot use our Christian liberty to walk the path of ruin simply because we are supposedly strong in faith! Scripture warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

The idea that Scripture does not forbid these addiction substances is, in my view, a lame excuse intended to justify the ungodly habits. Scripture does forbid these harmful habits and I have quoted Scriptures  that provide moral principles on the issue.

I am aware that in certain societies, alcoholic beverages are liberally consumed even among believers.

This does not change facts on its danger.

I suggest that we register our divergence of opinion on the matter and amicably close the correspondence. 

Blessed day.

HESHIMU COLLAR

Ezekiel Kimosop, "The idea that Scripture does not forbid these addiction substances is, in my view, a lame excuse intended to justify the ungodly habits." I agree. Let's end it here.