Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?

The holidays are a time when people often partake of alcoholic beverages. As a Baptist pastor, I am often asked whether it is a sin to drink alcohol. Over the years, this issue has been bombarded, especially in the Baptist church, with unscriptural and therefore unchristian responses. There are reasons to avoid and even abstain from alcohol but our reasons for doing so must be scriptural.

Some have simply pronounced alcohol consumption of any kind to be sin. This idea emerged years ago during temperance movements. Folks saw the destructive evidence of alcohol in homes where one or both adults were addicted to alcohol and deemed the problem to be the drink instead of the sinful nature which led to abuse of the drink. While this idea became doctrine in many protestant churches it is not rooted in scripture. Tradition and prejudice, regardless of how well intentioned, never produce the real and lasting change realized in a relationship with Christ.

Some have looked at scripture and pronounced the "wine" of the Bible to be in reality what we today call grape juice. These folks simply cannot believe Jesus would ever turn water into the "sinful" liquid called wine. However, upon closer examination of the text in the original language it is apparent Christ actually turned water into real wine. The Greek word used for wine in the story of the wedding at Canaan (where Jesus turned the water into wine) is "oinos" which is the common Greek term for alcoholic wine. In fact, when Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:18, "do not be drunk on wine" he uses the same Greek word, "oinos" for "wine." To deny these linguistic facts is to deny the veracity and inerrancy of the Biblical text. Alcohol itself is not inherently evil.

It is interesting however to note that the use of alcohol in the ancient world was much different than its use in the 21st century. Wine was never consumed undiluted and to do so was considered barbaric in ancient culture. Wine was diluted anywhere from 2-1 to 20-1 parts water to wine. The reason for this could have been to disinfect the water of the day or lessen the effect of the alcohol in the drink itself. To consume what we today call hard liquor or beer, often referred to in Scripture as "strong drink,' was always looked down upon by the Jewish people. So to make a blanket statement that all consumption of alcohol is biblically "ok" would be as dishonest as the person who says alcohol itself is inherently sinful or evil.

So what is the answer? Is it right or wrong to have a beer with your pizza? Judging from what we have seen in the Biblical text, one might make an argument it is ok to have a drink which contains alcohol if done so in moderation. However, let's press a little further into the Bible and see what is prudent and best for our life and witness.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:12, all things are permissible but not all things are profitable. If Jesus really did turn water into wine then one must admit it is permissible  to order a glass of wine with a good steak. However, is it profitable? Is it the best choice for a Christian in 21st century America? Romans 14 tells us we should be mindful of the conscience and weakness of others when making this decision. Some people are addicted to alcohol and my consumption could be a source of trouble for these folks. If such a person were to see me consume a beer, he or she may be more tempted to do so. Of course there is the question of how alcohol affects my own mind and will. If drinking alcohol lowers my inhibitions and makes me more likely to commit sin then it is wrong for me to have a drink. And what of my primary purpose here on earth? How does alcohol promote or inhibit my ability to glorify God and give witness for Him? Finally, how does our culture view alcohol? Right or wrong, if a sizable number of non-christians believe consumption of alcohol is a sin,drinking alcohol could hurt my witness for Christ.

The decision to abstain from alcohol, at least in certain situations, is a good one but it must be made for the right reasons. If we say alcohol is inherently evil we do injustice to God's word and even our own decision not to drink. Scripture does not teach total abstinence from alcohol but it does strongly prohibit excess and drunkenness. According to Romans 14 scripture also encourages us to do what is right for our witness, spiritual growth and edification of others. If you choose to drink you should choose to do so with these points in mind. Above all, in all we do, we should seek to glorify God and lead others to do the same. Abstaining from alcohol, at least in circumstances where it is prudent to do so, is a small sacrifice on our part for a closer relationship with Christ and better witness before others!

James