Should a pastor be permitted to have a beer once in while?

[righteousdude2]

I said "once in a while" because there is a growing trend of church leaders drinking socially and seeing nothing wrong with it. This question could also be asked regarding smoking, OVER EATING, or watching R-rated movies, etc.

How much liberty can a pastor take until it is objectionable and not in the best interest of the calling to lead a church? Thanks for your prayerful response.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

In the interest of full disclosure, I like beer. I don't drink it anymore because, for some reason, when I was in my early 40s, it started to give me terrible reflux, but I probably would, if it didn't leave me sick.

There's no command not to drink. There's no command to drink only a certain amount.

I would suggest we consider three things:

1. The Biblical prohibition on drunkenness. Even if you're not a Christian, that one should be a no brainer.

2. The Biblical prohibition against idolatry. Even if you're not an alcoholic alcohol can become an idol.

3. The Biblical command to exercise our liberty judiciously, so as to make a weaker brother or sister stumble.

To put it another way, there's a simple test I've taught our children to apply when they evaluate what kind of media they take in, which I believe can be applied here:

I've always taught our children to evaluate media choices by asking themselves a series of four questions:

1. Does it pass the Philippians 4 test?

Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it commendable? Is there any excellence? Is there anything worthy of praise?


2. Does it pass the Galatians 5 test?

Does it exhibit, glorify, or incite the works of the flesh, which are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, either in thought or in deed?

Or does it exhibit, glorify, or encourage the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?


3. Does it pass the 1 Corinthians 8 test?

Even if it's something God grants us the liberty to enjoy or engage in, would our doing it cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to sin or to stumble in their walk with Christ?


4. Is it an idol to you?

If it's something that failed the three tests above, would you give it up? If so, then what would your attitude be about giving it up? Would you be glad to give it up, knowing it doesn't glorify God, isn't conducive to growth in Christ, and could cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to sin or stumble in their walk with Christ?

Or would you give it up grudgingly or not give it up at all? If so, then it's an idol.

 

[Zaac]

I said "once in a while" because there is a growing trend of church leaders drinking socially and seeing nothing wrong with it. This question could also be asked regarding smoking, OVER EATING, or watching R-rated movies, etc.

How much liberty can a pastor take until it is objectionable and not in the best interest of the calling to lead a church? Thanks for your prayerful response.

IMO, drinking one beer once in a while is the equivalent of looking at porn once in a while.
I would not sit underneath a pastor's leadership if I knew he drank.

 

[HAMel]

@JohnDeereFan..., I would have no objection to anyone having a drink of any kind that contains alcohol. In fact, I've a bottle of cough medicine in my fridge right now that contains alcohol.

Two years before the Lord called and showed me the way I found myself drunk off of beer. The next morning convinced me I'd never drink like that again. After coming to the knowledge of Salvation (1972) I've hardly ever touched the stuff. About a year ago I tried some straight whiskey because of my stomach but that consisted of one ounce per day. BTW, it did nothing for me.

Should a pastor drink a beer if he wants one? Should any Christian drink a beer if they want one? Any of us can do anything we want. The "next morning" however might cause one to see a bit more clear.

 

[InTheLight]

Sure, a pastor may be permitted to have a beer once in a while. My problem is I can't think of a scenario where he should have one.

 

[Zaac]

Sure, a pastor may be permitted to have a beer once in a while. My problem is I can't think of a scenario where he should have one.

 

[HAMel]

@InTheLight..., my father's doctor prescribed one can of beer a day for my father to keep his kidneys flushed and working properly. As the doctor detailed, a can of been was absent the many and various chemicals associated with prescription drugs.

As I recall he might have drank some every couple of days if he had any.

 

[InTheLight]

@InTheLight..., my father's doctor prescribed one can of beer a day for my father to keep his kidneys flushed and working properly. As the doctor detailed, a can of been was absent the many and various chemicals associated with prescription drugs.

As I recall he might have drank some every couple of days if he had any.

Yes, I know that scenario. My elderly teetotaling mother was complaining about not urinating very frequently and asked me to get her some beer. <jaw drop>. I got her an eight pack of beer in the 7 oz sized cans. I bought my Mom beer! LOL.

BTW, it didn't work for her.

 

[HAMel]

@InTheLight..., proof positive that not everything works for everybody..., just because we might think it should.

Personally, I like what Juan Valdez drinks while my wife likes Unsweetened Tea.

 

[annsni]

Sure, a pastor may be permitted to have a beer once in a while. My problem is I can't think of a scenario where he should have one.

We can apply this to a lot of things. Candy? A nice juicy steak? A cup of coffee? A glass of iced tea? Heck - anything other than the basic nutrition to allow him to live?

 

[InTheLight]

We can apply this to a lot of things. Candy? A nice juicy steak? A cup of coffee? A glass of iced tea? Heck - anything other than the basic nutrition to allow him to live?

I presumed the question was asked about the pastor being out in public and imbibing. All of the things you listed would not raise an eyebrow if the pastor were to have them in public. Having a beer might cause people to wonder.

 

[Zaac]

I presumed the question was asked about the pastor being out in public and imbibing. All of the things you listed would not raise an eyebrow if the pastor were to have them in public. Having a beer might cause people to wonder.

 

[Rob_BW]

Too bad Mr Peabody can't fire up the Wayback Machine to take us back to the ancient near east. A few generations of easy access to disease free tapwater seems to have altered ideas about what our predecessors drank.

If Puritan children drank small beer and cider, seeing a pastor drink one can of modern beer isn't going to ruffle my feathers.

Either way, I'm curious how someone willing to equate alcohol with porn interprets our Savior's miracle of turning water into wine.

 

[tyndale1946]

@JohnDeereFan..., I would have no objection to anyone having a drink of any kind that contains alcohol. In fact, I've a bottle of cough medicine in my fridge right now that contains alcohol.

Two years before the Lord called and showed me the way I found myself drunk off of beer. The next morning convinced me I'd never drink like that again. After coming to the knowledge of Salvation (1972) I've hardly ever touched the stuff. About a year ago I tried some straight whiskey because of my stomach but that consisted of one ounce per day. BTW, it did nothing for me.

Should a pastor drink a beer if he wants one? Should any Christian drink a beer if they want one? Any of us can do anything we want. The "next morning" however might cause one to see a bit more clear.

I Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Which bares this question do you think that the old circuit riding preachers back in the day carried a flask and had a snort every now and then only for medicinal purposes?... I preacher brother did tell me a story about how the deacons of his church on a visit to his house discovered beer in his fridge and they brought this up in conference but he had a note from his doctor... He had a kidney problem and his doctor recommended beer... Remember my Dad who was deacon and had a bad cold and had a shot of Whiskey and it cured his cold... Nyquil and all the other medicinal remedies that are in a way medical booze as some have stated... Brother Glen

 

[Zaac]

I presumed the question was asked about the pastor being out in public and imbibing. All of the things you listed would not raise an eyebrow if the pastor were to have them in public. Having a beer might cause people to wonder.

I Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Which bares this question do you think that the old circuit riding preachers back in the day carried a flask and had a snort every now and then only for medicinal purposes?... I preacher brother did tell me a story about how the deacons of his church on a visit to his house discovered beer in his fridge and they brought this up in conference but he had a note from his doctor... He had a kidney problem and his doctor recommended beer... Remember my Dad who was deacon and had a bad cold and had a shot of Whiskey and it cured his cold... Nyquil and all the other medicinal remedies that are in a way medical booze as some have stated... Brother Glen

I've never had those as my mom wouldn't give me anything with alcohol in it. And now they make it without the alcohol. We also couldn't use mouthwash with alcohol in it and I still don't to this day.

 

[annsni]

I have alcohol in the house but it's for:

vodka = penne a la vodka
beer = chili
wine = all sorts of yummies
Guiness = Irish stew
whisky (little tiny bottle - needed 1.5 of them so have another 1/2 leftover) = some chicken recipe I tried

 

[Crabtownboy]

All things in moderation.

 

[Zaac]

I have alcohol in the house but it's for:

vodka = penne a la vodka
beer = chili
wine = all sorts of yummies
Guiness = Irish stew
whisky (little tiny bottle - needed 1.5 of them so have another 1/2 leftover) = some chicken recipe I tried

Usually if I know it's cooked with alcohol, I'm not eating it. I know that the alcohol is cooked off( Not always ). But I don't want it in me and don't want to taste it. it stinks.

 

[tyndale1946]

Usually if I know it's cooked with alcohol, I'm not eating it. I know that the alcohol is cooked off( Not always ). But I don't want it in me and don't want to taste it. it stinks.

Christmas season is coming up soon... Stay away from those dessert Rum Balls... Brother Glen

 

[annsni]

Usually if I know it's cooked with alcohol, I'm not eating it. I know that the alcohol is cooked off( Not always ). But I don't want it in me and don't want to taste it. it stinks.

Actually, in most cases most of the alcohol is NOT cooked off. I need to find the chart again but even flambe'ing something leaves 85% of the alcohol behind.