An Affirmation About Alcohol from Bret Capranica on Vimeo.
An increasing drumbeat in contemporary American churches is one on the subject of alcohol consumption. Not alcohol abuse ““ but consumption. I believe the vast majority of evangelical Christians (if not all) would affirm that the Bible speaks not only derisively, but condemningly of the abuse of alcohol. The contemporary dividing line is over the use of alcohol.
In this post I want to look at a few issues on this subject, describe my position as I understand the Scriptures, and conclude with an affirmation I join in making with the elders at Summit Woods Baptist Church.
The Use of Alcohol Can Be a Divisive Issue:
It Can Be Generationally Divisive
The use of alcohol seems to have a very dark line of division between generations. A large portion of the rising, energetic, biblically loyal, evangelistically passionate, and serious minded, younger generation of Christians is far more open to the use (again, not the abuse) of alcohol. This is in stark contrast to other generations who have traditionally advocated a position of complete abstinence. In my interaction with both groups, this issue brings out high energy and intense emotions. I find that a younger generation is more ready to make use of what they see as a biblically gray area and eschew others who are offended by their beer drinking (or whatever beverage they choose). In turn, in receiving the tongue lashing from the teetotalers, these imbibers return the favor with equally biting comments about the legalistic behavior of their oppressors.
I honestly believe each group has valid concerns and you won”™t find me to be a vitriolic supporter of one group against another. I am concerned about a younger generation who tends to exalt the use of their Christian freedom, when the Bible tends to emphasize caution in exercising Christian liberties (1 Cor 8-10; Romans 14; Gal 5:13ff). The Bible certainly does not advocate a mean-spirited belligerence in defending personal freedoms, nor do the Scriptures suggest it is fine to engage in freedoms regardless of the potential effects our legitimate choices may have on others. I am grieved to think of a number of Christians close to me who have pushed their liberties to the point of self-centered indulgence and have soiled an otherwise solid testimony for Christ.
I am also concerned about other generations who highly “principlalize” the Scriptures to the point of making black and white divisions on honestly biblically gray matters. Personal convictions (even those made through biblically derived reasoning) are sometimes elevated to universal codes for all spiritually acceptable behavior. Some in this camp seem to suggest that anyone who has had even a drop of alcohol touch his tongue is somehow sinful, unspiritual, unholy, and a libertine who cares nothing for the clear testimony of Christ. Their argumentation is full of real, painful, personal experiences and backgrounds that highlight the terrible effects of alcohol abuse. They tend to tie the use of all alcohol to the Satanically supported system of the “the world.” They come up with logical syllogisms that support their personal convictions and then condemn the personal, biblically rationalized convictions of others.
In my estimation, neither group has a corner on the truth here, and both are dangerously flirting with a false air of spirituality, ignoring important considerations each group actually contributes.
It Can Be Culturally Divisive
It is interesting that views on the use of alcohol tend to change in various cultures. Christians in England and portions of Europe do not have the same intense discussion that we do on alcohol use here in the States. Even within our own country, various regions differ on how they approach the use of alcohol. I have read varying positions on this subject. I have tried to honestly study the Scriptures on the matter and have attempted to live my life in accordance with my personal convictions that does not destroy Christian freedom, is not detrimental to the testimony of Christ, or exalt a self-centered pursuit of personal freedom.
My Conviction
It is my conviction that the Bible does not condemn the use of alcohol, per se. In fact, the Bible almost assumes its use. I am not convinced that the wine Jesus made at Cana (John 2), or the typical use of the Greek word for wine, oinos, refers only to a non-intoxicating mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part wine. The majority of the descriptions of wine or strong drink in the Bible refer to something that is fermented and has the very real possibility of causing drunkenness (i.e., Eph 5:18).
And it is drunkenness, and the abuse of alcohol, that is overtly condemned in Scripture (i.e., Prov 20:1; 31:3-7; Eph 5:18); not its mere use. Jesus turned water into the best wine. And the text implies that he made it for the consumption of all the wedding guests; nothing negative is implied in the text about people drinking the wine at the wedding ““ it is assumed and not condemned. The Bible does not dogmatically argue against the use of alcohol.
With that said, the Bible does have something to say about making use of legitimate freedoms in a damaging manner. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 are texts that find the Apostle Paul supporting the validity of eating and drinking things that may have associations with sinful effects, but, in and of themselves, are not sinful. Idolatry is sinful. Eating meat offered to idols is not by necessity equal to idolatry, and not essentially sinful. However, if one partakes in a freedom that causes a weak believer to assume the partaker affirms the sin, and so causes the weak believer to abandon his confidence in Christ, the freedom should be avoided. Thus, if someone eats the meat offered to an idol in the presence of a former idolater, causing him to assume the partaker is affirming idolatry, and he then abandons his commitment to Christ (such is the meaning of “stumble” and “offense” in the Rom 14 and 1 Cor 8 contexts), then the partaker should abstain for the good of his weak brother.
An important issue needs to be brought up here. Notice in the Romans and Corinthian contexts that the weak one is the one who is advocating abstinence. Further, being “offended” or being made to “stumble” does not mean that the abstainer is simply angered by the partaker”™s use; a common misconception I often hear. Partakers are not to abstain simply because others don”™t like his use of alcohol ““ or meat ““ or . . . . Partakers may need to abstain because it may cause a weak brother or sister, at best, to sin against his or her conscience if they were thus encouraged to partake or, at worst, even abandon their faith in Christ.
Pursuing what is most edifying and unifying among the brothers and sisters of a local church is paramount. Paul even suggests that personal convictions should remain just that ““ personal ““ kept between yourself and God so that unity and edification can be elevated (Romans 14:22).
My Ministry Affirmation
It is the better part of wisdom for leaders in each respective church to consider what is most healthy for the body of Christ they oversee and what will promote a Christ-centered and biblically driven testimony. Leaders should carefully consider what would promote the glory of God in their church, amidst their culture, and among the multiple generations they serve. And whatever conviction is maintained, the attitude within the application must be one of maturity, charity, and humility.
I believe the elders at Summit Woods Baptist Church have acted wisely in this area and we see eye-to-eye on this issue. You will not find a prohibition of the use of alcohol a pre-requisite to church membership. The gospel message is the fundamental issue for identification with the body of Christ. However, in discerning their context and what is best for the body at Summit Woods, the elders have taken a position of abstinence. I can and do wholeheartedly affirm this position and joyfully embrace it.
