Drinking Alcohol Moderately

[Steadfast Fred]

Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol in moderation? No
Now, should a Christian drink alcohol in moderation? Is it wise to abstain from all use of alcohol? To me, that's why I don't drink. It's not because the Bible forbids it(which it does not) but because I don't need to drink it and I am very likely to no drink in moderation. (listen, I hardly drink Mt. Dew in moderation ). That's me and my opinion. Alcohol has wrecked a many of families. I don't want to look back many years later and wish I had never taken that first drink.

There are many in hell today wishing they had not taken that first drink.

 

[annsni]

There are many in hell today wishing they had not taken that first drink.

There are many in hell who never drank at all.

 

[dwmoeller1]

Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol in moderation? No
Now, should a Christian drink alcohol in moderation? Is it wise to abstain from all use of alcohol? To me, that's why I don't drink. It's not because the Bible forbids it(which it does not) but because I don't need to drink it and I am very likely to no drink in moderation. (listen, I hardly drink Mt. Dew in moderation ). That's me and my opinion. Alcohol has wrecked a many of families. I don't want to look back many years later and wish I had never taken that first drink.

I have no problem with such a stance.

However, I am curious as to why you don't apply the same reasoning to things like food and sex? Both can be addictive. So why not swear off sex altogether since doing it once may cause you to lose self-control? If you are such an addictive personality that drinking Mt. Dew in moderation is a problem, then shouldn't you also simply avoid sex altogether as well? After all, its not necessary and it can wreck a family and destroy lives.

 

[jbh28]

I have no problem with such a stance.

However, I am curious as to why you don't apply the same reasoning to things like food and sex? Both can be addictive. So why not swear off sex altogether since doing it once may cause you to lose self-control? If you are such an addictive personality that drinking Mt. Dew in moderation is a problem, then shouldn't you also simply avoid sex altogether as well? After all, its not necessary and it can wreck a family and destroy lives.

I have to have food to live, so that isn't valid. As far as sex goes. I did abstain from it till I was married. I can have sex a lot now. ...of course only with my wife.

mt dew btw was a joke. I can do these in moderation, but I don't have a need to have alcohol. There are plenty of other drinks available that I love.

 

[jbh28]

There are many in hell today wishing they had not taken that first drink.

Are you saying that somebody's salvation is dependent on their drinking? That would be unbiblical of course. hopefully, that is not what you were trying to say.

 

[dwmoeller1]

I have to have food to live, so that isn't valid.

Yet surely you eat more than you need to survive. In fact, I bet you probably have even had times where you ate more than you should. Why not simply limit eating to only what you need to be healthy?

As far as sex goes. I did abstain from it till I was married. I can have sex a lot now. ...of course only with my wife.

Why doesn't having sex with you wife lead to the greater danger that you will have sex with others?

mt dew btw was a joke. I can do these in moderation, but I don't have a need to have alcohol. There are plenty of other drinks available that I love.

That part I certainly understand. I am the same way. Its the idea of "one drink making it more probable that you will wish you had never drunk" that I don't quite follow. It seems to be totally inconsistent with how Christians approach other things which are very similar. Christians recognize the dangers of the abuse of sex and food yet they rarely argue that its best to limit them as much as one possibly can (what one needs to survive in the case of food, none at all in the case of sex). We don't accept the arguments of the ascetics in the area of food and sex, why would we in the area of alcohol? Christians instead teach that food and sex are good gifts given by God to be enjoyed...in moderation and in their proper context. Why not the same approach with alcohol?

 

[annsni]

Yet surely you eat more than you need to survive. In fact, I bet you probably have even had times where you ate more than you should. Why not simply limit eating to only what you need to be healthy?



Why doesn't having sex with you wife lead to the greater danger that you will have sex with others?



That part I certainly understand. I am the same way. Its the idea of "one drink making it more probable that you will wish you had never drunk" that I don't quite follow. It seems to be totally inconsistent with how Christians approach other things which are very similar. Christians recognize the dangers of the abuse of sex and food yet they rarely argue that its best to limit them as much as one possibly can (what one needs to survive in the case of food, none at all in the case of sex). We don't accept the arguments of the ascetics in the area of food and sex, why would we in the area of alcohol? Christians instead teach that food and sex are good gifts given by God to be enjoyed...in moderation and in their proper context. Why not the same approach with alcohol?

Good point. We don't seem to worry about losing control with other things so why alcohol??

 

[jaigner]

There are many in hell today wishing they had not taken that first drink.

Wow...non sequitur alert!!!

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Are you saying that somebody's salvation is dependent on their drinking? That would be unbiblical of course. hopefully, that is not what you were trying to say.

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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 Corinthians 6:9-11

One who is a drunkard will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

[dwmoeller1]

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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 Corinthians 6:9-11

One who is a drunkard will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Moderate drinkers are fine then. Just as those who have sex are fine as long as they aren't fornicators or adulterers. Just as those who earn money are fine as long as they aren't covetous. Etc.

 

[dwmoeller1]

Not all food is deceitful, it is dainties that the wise Solomon warned against. And not just any dainties, but the kings dainties.

Daniel saw the same thing when in captivity. And for this purpose, he would not defile himself with the kings wine nor his meat.

"Deceit" morphs into "defile"? FWIW, Daniel's decision regarding the meat was due to "defilement", not its "deceitfulness". That is, he sought to remain ceremonially clean (as much as possible in that environment at least). He was a good Jewish boy who didn't want to eat unclean meat or drinks that likely came into contact with unclean objects (ie. a wineskin made of pig). Daniels situation was an example not of eating healthy (though that happens to a side effect), nor of avoiding "bad" foods/drink, but of wanting to remain true to his faith. Turning Daniels efforts to remain "clean" according to the Law into an effort to avoid alcohol altogether is unwarranted. No where else is drinking alcohol or eating rich food (even the king's meat) identified as "defiling".

 

[Steadfast Fred]

No matter how much you try to defend drinking of alcohol in moderation, it still isn't allowed in the Bible... whether you want to accept it or not.

 

[dwmoeller1]

No matter how much you try to defend drinking of alcohol in moderation, it still isn't allowed in the Bible... whether you want to accept it or not.

No matter how much you try and deny drinking in moderation, it still isn't prohibited in the Bible...whether you want to accept it or not.


Nice how that works out, huh?


Or we can actually deal with what the Bible says...preferably in context. If the all the anti-alcohol side has going for it are sections taken out of context then it doesn't have much to stand on.

 

[matt wade]

I'd like someone to work up some numbers on how many lives have been ruined by alcohol, by way of broken families, deaths, abuse, etc.

Next I'd like someone to work up some numbers on how many lives have been ruined by not drinking alcohol.

Then, let's talk about whether it is OK to drink or not....

 

[annsni]

No matter how much you try to defend drinking of alcohol in moderation, it still isn't allowed in the Bible... whether you want to accept it or not.

This is 100% untrue. You really want to spread lies?

 

[annsni]

I'd like someone to work up some numbers on how many lives have been ruined by alcohol, by way of broken families, deaths, abuse, etc.

Next I'd like someone to work up some numbers on how many lives have been ruined by not drinking alcohol.

Then, let's talk about whether it is OK to drink or not....

How about we're talking about Scriptural commands and not anecdotal evidence.

 

[matt wade]

How about we're talking about Scriptural commands and not anecdotal evidence.

Scripture doesn't tell us that it is a bad idea to clean your gun while it is loaded, yet we can learn not to do something harmful from the "anecdotal evidence". God gives us the ability to reason and examine "anecdotal evidence"...let's use His gift!

 

[menageriekeeper]

Scripture doesn't tell us that it is a bad idea to clean your gun while it is loaded,

Ah, but the OP concerned Christians who dare take a drink. It doesn't concern the overall wisdom of drinking moderately, but the scriptural basis for calling drinking a sin.

Oh and my fav scripture concerning God and alcohol:

Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
Deu 14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strongdrink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

If its to far from the church (temple) to take in your tithe, turn it into money and buy what? Its in bold. If it was okay in the OT to drink then you'll have to find some NT evidence that the precept has been changed. Since Christ has already fulfilled the Law and He drank and made wine, I think you'll find it very difficult to do so.

Drunkeness is addressed. Addiction is addressed. Teetotaling is NOT.

 

[annsni]

Scripture doesn't tell us that it is a bad idea to clean your gun while it is loaded, yet we can learn not to do something harmful from the "anecdotal evidence". God gives us the ability to reason and examine "anecdotal evidence"...let's use His gift!

However, Scripture does not even address guns. It does, however, speak of wine and strong drink. We need to be sure that we read the Scriptures for what it says and not make up things.

 

[webdog]

No matter how much you try to defend drinking of alcohol in moderation, it still isn't allowed in the Bible... whether you want to accept it or not.

You have yet to deal with one Scripture, but instead keep throwing counter jabs. That is not debate. Deal with the 248 verses in the Bible on it please, not what you have regurgitated from other teetotalers.