Drinking alcoholic beverages

[way2groovy1]

What do you think about drinking.

I don't drink. When I was a teenager before I became a Christian, I used to party and drink and I know what it does to me.

To be honest, I can't stand the taste of it. Weather or not a person should drink it in moderation is something I really am not sure about. But, I know for a fact you shouldn't do it to get drunk.

 

[Featherbop]

I think some people should get drunk. They are so funny on police video shows!ROFLOL!

I don't drink. I don't care if others drink in moderation, or heavily, or get drunk and die anymore. People will do what they want and thats really all there is to say.

 

[justjake]

Romans 14 tells us that this is one of those topics that should be KEPT TO ONE'S SELF.

I think this topic should be deleted by a moderator to maintain the integrety of the Bible's truths.

 

[AVBunyan]

Drinking

I have to be honest with scripture - does it forbid a "drink" - no - look at wine in Timothy and Titus:

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

One says not given, one says not given to much, etc but it doesn't forbid it.

Indication is that even leaders can have some wine (don't try to make it grape juice - been there - won't work) they are just not be given to it - in others words not under the control of.

Do I drink wine or strong drink? - no - probably couldn't handle it so I stay away from it.
Would an occasional glass of wine aid the stomach? - probably, but I would still stay away from it.

Is being given to wine or strong drink sin? Yes
Is being given to good food a sin? Probably - if it isn't done in moderation.

For example - A person frowns upon a saint who takes an accasional glass of wine in his own house. This same person who does the frowning is 50 lbs overweight and treats his wife bad - I'm not impressed :-?

Bottom line - scripture doesn't forbid it.
Should saints stay away from strong drink? In this day and age - probably - why?
1. We may not be able to handle it.
2. May cause others to stumble.
3. Whatever the strong saint does in moderation the weak saint does in excess.
4. Obstain from all appearances of evil for testimony sake.

As Sco says - your preach 8)

 

[Bryan]

I don't drink very much, but I don't go out of my way to avoid it either.

The occasional beer after my hockey games, a rye and coke at the end of a tough week, no problems. Probably less than 20 total drinks a year.

I think if you are avoiding alcohol like the plague, even though the bible doesn't specifically ban it, then it's got as big a hold over you as it would if you were an alcoholic. If you don't like it fine, but don't run from it!

 

[Grace Alone]

As has been said, the Bible does not forbid drinking, but it does forbid becoming drunk. It is not a sin to drink, but drinking can lead to sin if one does not use it in a resbonsible way.

My husband and I both enjoy having a glass of wine with dinner. We do not feel in any danger of overindulging, though there are those who do not know the appropriate way to enjoy alcohol. They abuse it, becoming drunk and sick, and possibly addicted.

Until my recent marriage, I attended my church - North American Baptist - since mid-high school. (Now I go to my H's church). It seems that most people in the NAB tradition do not drink. My dad is the minister of music and he and the head pastor have had discussions about this issue. My parents are moderate drinkers. Our pastor who is very Biblically sound on any issue I've heard him preach on, feels very strongly against drinking, as he says that he's seen it cause big problems in marriages and people's lives.

Our culture tends to overindulge on just about everything, and there are many alcoholics in this country as a result. I suppose that encourages a lot of Christians to stay away from alcohol all together. As Christians, we should never resemble the world, and maybe many fear that by having a drink, they will blur the line. Also, we should never become a stumbling block for another - if that is the case, then in that situation, I think drinking is wrong. We have a responsibility to each other and if by having a drink I make a brother or sister falter, I need to be sensitive to that, adress the issue and abstain from drinking in that situation.

Perhaps a lot of it just has to do with American Christian tradition. In other countries, the consumption of alcohol by Christians does not seem to be an issue at all. Look at C.S. Lewis and G.K Chesterton for example. They are both Godly men who have made great marks on Christianity, and drinking to them was a normal part of their culture.

I just don't think it should be as big of a deal as it is. It is not a right/wrong issue, yet in some churches it seems to be treated that way. I get the sense from some non-drinkers that drinking is viewed as a weakness, and that those Christians who enjoy alcohol are sometimes even looked down on, or seen as "less" Christian.

I would be interested to hear more opinions from those of you who don't drink, as to how you view your brothers and sisters that do. Also, for those who have never had a drink of alchohol, I am just curious as to what you think it is like to have a drink. I sometimes get the impression that some think that a single drink alters your perceptions, abilities, etc. Just curious....

 

[Pearly Gator]

What was Jesus' first miracle again...? Oh yeah, turning water to wine at a wedding feast.

The Wedding Feast of The Lamb is going to be one serious celebration! :angel:

 

[JM]

I drink. I've been called a bad baptist for having a beer or a gin and 7. God be my judge not man!

The occasional beer after my hockey games, a rye and coke at the end of a tough week, no problems. Probably less than 20 total drinks a year.

I'm Canadian and that wouldn't do. :D I have a couple of beers a week and in most cultures around the world this is a non-issue with Christians.

 

[evanman]

What was Jesus' first miracle again...? Oh yeah, turning water to wine at a wedding feast.

The Wedding Feast of The Lamb is going to be one serious celebration! :angel:

Surely the first recorded miracle of Jesus was turning water into fruit flavoured cordial!!

 

[Lupine]

There is nothing wrong with drinking a lot as long as you can handle it and don't do stupid things while drinking. Occasionally letting yourself free isn't a bad thing to do.

 

[Featherbop]

The Bible seems to contridict itself about alcohal many times. Alcohal is a known addictive drug. Its way too easy to get addiccted to it. Drinking alcohal is throwing yourself into temptation. Why drink it if you won't get buzzed? The whole point is to get drunk.

And about the grape juice thing: noone of us was there that long ago, so nobody really knows for 100% sure what the wine was. The Bible never says the wine is fermented when dranken in many instances. It usually just says wine. It distinguises from old and new wine I think its called.
Don't look on the wine whens its red? Why say this if its okay for consuption?

I don't have sympathy for alcohal consumers, they are putting themselves in risk and temptation, so its their own fault if something happens.

 

[way2groovy1]

I am 100% sure you not drink to get drunk actually, we should probably try to avoid doing things that altar the mind for fun.

Examples in the bible of what God thinks of drinking too much:

1 Corinthians 5
11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1 Corinthians 6
9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Peter 4
2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

and my all time favorite:

Ephesians 5
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 

[Grace Alone]

Featherbop -

Yesterday I posted a questions on this thread to Christians who don't drink, and how they view those Christians that do. Can I surmise from your post that you believe that Christians who drink (in moderation) are "less-Christian," or weaker, or whatever you want to say?

(The whole point of drinking, by the way, is not to get drunk).

 

[Featherbop]

Gracealone: I don't think anything of christians who drink alcohal :

Anyway, I tend to think they are weaker. I don't think anyone would voluntarily give it up. I bet they can't. If I asked someone:

Why not just give it up and prove you can?

They probably say: I don't want too.

Me: You can't.

Them: I can too.

Me: Give it up then.

Them: I don't want to!

Me: loser

_________

I really don't like arguing about this, its like arguing with an atheist. :

btw, whats the point Grace? hmm?

_________

Ecven christians are subject to this human nature.

You'll argue your side all you can, so would I, but its too much stupidness.

 

[lakesider]

(The whole point of drinking, by the way, is not to get drunk).

I disagree.

At least for some folks, at least for me the point of drinking (obviously I've quit) was to get drunk. What's the point otherwise?

I was never an alcoholic, but deeply understand how the addiction can beckon.

Alcoholic drinks, to me, don't taste real good. If it's just something to drink along with dinner to wash it down, tea tastes much better.

Back in the day, I quite often enjoyed the nice buzz that alcohol can deliver, and didn't see any reason to stop at just one or two. Or why only drink on weekends? Or not drink alone?

The problem I wrestled with was one of moderation: why have one glass of wine or a beer when a couple can make you feel *real* good? Alcohol causes my mouth to open, enough to insert lots of feet and say whatever comes to mind. I nearly ruined a budding relationship with some of my actions under the influence. If I have one drink, I want four.

I also feel it ruins my witness--how many of you would crack open a cold one in a church service for example?

Do I still think about it now and then? Sure. But I say no and move on knowing I've done the right thing based on my convictions and beliefs.

So do I feel it's wrong to drink? For me yes. It's a very personal choice, not an easy one to make sometimes. Trust me.

 

[Grace Alone]

Feather - I just don't understand how you can make the judgement that I am a weaker Christian, simply because I have an occasional drink - and are you comparing me to an atheist now....that's not very nice. Seriously. And what's with "I don't think anything of Christians who drink?"

I don't want to argue about it with you either, but the fact is, you are making a judgement about me, someone that you don't know anything about, based on a bias you have. I think it's fine that you don't drink at all - it's great. I'm not attacking your choice, but I guess I am attacking your attitude toward your fellow Christians.

It just seems very legalistic to say that it is wrong to drink. Period. If God felt that way, He would tell us that in His Word. And if I was convicted that my drinking habits were wrong, then I would no longer do it - simple as that, because I love my God and want to do what is right and pleasing to Him. There are many things that can become addictions, become sin. How about food? How many people in this country over-eat on a regular basis? By the obesity statistics, it's obviously a lot. Gluttony is a sin, is it not?

Lakesider, I agree with you wholeheartedly that for many people the goal of drinking is to get drunk. But that is not my goal, nor the goal of any Christians I know who drink. Obviously, it was wise of you to cut alcohol out of your life because it was a hinderence to you, and something that would cause you to sin. I completely respect your point of view, unless you go so far as to say that it is wrong for us to drink, and that's that. I just think that it is dangerous to generalize do to the struggle you have had with it.

So what's the point if not to get drunk? That's the question, I guess. For me, I truly enjoy the taste of wine. There is such complexity of flavor and it enhances the flavors of a nice meal. I like learning about it too. There is such uniqueness in each bottle of wine. Sometimes it's nice to make a good dinner with my hubby, have a glass of wine, relax after a long day at work, just sit at the table and talk. A glass of wine does not make me drunk, or even "buzz" me, but it does relax me.....is that wrong?

 

[Heidi Mighty Mo]

I cook with wine but I do not drink it. There are a lot of recipes I make that either require or taste best with wine in them. Terriyaki or any marinade for that matter, Chinese hot and sour soup, Italian pastas (add about one cup of white wine to the water as you boil the noodles), etc...

Now, I do not make any judgements on Christians who drink. I believe this has to be a personal conviction. Period. It is between you and God.

As for me, I use to drink a couple a beers a week and the occcasinal shot of Tequila (once every other month). For me, I saw no problem in it since the alcohol did not control me but I controlled it. Then, something happened that made me realize, we are not as much in control of things as we would like to think. I was at a friends who had offered me a shot of Tarantula tequila, didn't think much of it and had never tried it so I did. Next thing I knew, my shot glass was full again, I have no idea how many times this happened but I got plastered! That was the first time that had happened in about 14 years and only the 5th time in my whole life I had been drunk (the other times, I was not following the Lord and didn't care if I got drunk).

To make matters worse, my kids were there too. I was so ashamed for them to see me puking my guts out. To top it all off, my husband's friend was also drunk and flirting with me when Patrick was in the other room and I could do nothing about it, my TKD training couldn't do me any good in that situation. He didn't try anything, but just the thought that he could have and I couldn't help myself really opened my eyes. I was ashamed at the example I had set for my kids and our friends and I made it a point to apologize to all of them for that.

How did this happen? I thought I was in control, I thought I could handle it, but that one little lesson showed me that no matter how strong you are, it can still get the best of you. Thus the scripture "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." (Prov. 20:1) I believe God used that incedent to take away my pride, because of that and I chose not to drink any more.

Another issue as Christians we need to think of is our witness. I worry even about the wine I buy for cooking for fear someone who is weak will see it and think it is ok for them to drink. They do not know I am buying it for culinary purposes (I live in a small town and because of my dance business, most people know who I am). We have freedoms as stated in 1 Corinthians but we can't let our freedoms be stumbling blocks to those who are weak in those areas or to non-Christians.

 

[lakesider]

Well-done Heidi...very nicely stated

 

[Heidi Mighty Mo]

Awwww, shucks! :

Thanks! :D

 

[Steve]

IMHO, the whole subject is trifling. I say that because I grew up around social drinking, and no-one ever had a problem with it, myself included...

until I set foot ina Pentecostal Church. It then became a big THANG. Imagine questioning someone's slvation cuz they take a drink!!!!!! What a hoot.

As I've stated before, I don't drink. Tastes nasty. But...I guarantee you, if I want one, I will have it with no qualms whatsoever. Far as other Christians drinking...big deal. As long as somebody doesn't get spifflicated and get up in my face. There's NOTHING worse than having a drunk in your face. :x