This negative experience got me thinking about a matter which I suspect, as twenty-first century Christians, and perhaps particularly here in Australia, needs to be at least on our spiritual radar. To what extent have we simply imbibed our modern culture, and to what extent should we be counter-cultural with respect to our approach to alcohol?
Coming from a culture that not long ago was (and possibly remains) one of binge drinking for most non-Christians and total abstinence for most Christians, you can appreciate part of my culture shock when I first arrived in Sydney. I still recall with amusement an experience I had on my first college mission. I was slightly perturbed by the initial difficulty I had distinguishing believers from non-believers at the Men’s evangelistic dinner; nearly everyone had a bottle of VB in their hand! Since then I have adjusted to the fact that most Aussie Christians drink alcohol, and that there is no correlation between this and their spiritual maturity. So please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that drinking alcohol is wrong or necessarily detrimental to our spiritual life. While both would certainly be true if we were guilty of over-indulgence, alcoholic beverages are not inherently sinful. But when we find ourselves becoming dependent on such beverages, or adopt an approach that seems to betray such dependence, that’s another matter entirely. And it’s really this kind of situation that I want us to give some thought to, both in our own lives and in the lives of those we care about. Drinking alcohol may well be permissible, but is it always wise?
As a tea-totaller (unless you count the occasional bottle of Lemon and Lime Bitters), my own attitude to alcohol is obviously one of total avoidance. This is really no great sacrifice for me, since I can think of only one alcoholic beverage that I have ever enjoyed tasting. As a non-Christian, I consumed alcohol due to peer pressure rather than personal taste. I realize, of course, that this is not true of everyone; nor is abstinence a stance that everyone must necessarily adopt – though for some people, particularly alcoholics or those who may be prone to alcoholism – this is undoubtedly the wisest policy. However, as in all such matters of individual conscience, our Christian attitude should surely be one of temperance – not simply in the sense that we exercise self-control in relation to our own indulgence, but also in the sense that we exercise restraint for the sake of others around us (Christian or otherwise). Both principles seem to be fairly clearly taught in Scripture (see Eph 5:18; 2 Tim 3:3; Tit 2:2-3,12; 1 Pet 4:3; 2 Pet 1:6; cf. Rom 14:15,21; 1 Cor 8:9-12; 10:24; 10:27-11:1).
However, while the Bible does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol, it does offer numerous warnings about it that must be taken seriously. Significantly, the first time Scripture mentions alcohol and its affects, it was an occasion for sin (Gen 9:21). While this passage clearly focuses much more on Ham’s shameful act than Noah’s over-indulgence, the latter’s intoxication is obviously portrayed in a negative light. There was nothing wrong with either making or drinking the wine; but unfortunately, Noah drank so much of the stuff that he sacrificed his normal sense of decorum – a fact that was exploited by his voyeuristic son.
Significantly, a few chapters later, intoxication is again exploited for nefarious purposes; Lot’s drunkenness facilitates two acts of incestuous intercourse and the impregnation of his morally unscrupulous daughters (Gen 19: 32-35).
Admittedly, neither of these two texts in Genesis is primarily about the pros and cons of alcohol consumption; nevertheless, both texts highlight the inebriating effects of this drug, and the negative consequences that can ensue from such. The mind-numbing effect of alcohol is further attested in several other OT texts (e.g. 2 Sam 11:13; 13:28; 1 Kgs 20:16; Hos 4:11; Hab 2:5,15), and other passages arguably point to its negative impact on wise decision-making (Judg 16:25; Esth 1:8-12; Dan 5:1-2; Hos 7:5). While this could also be a factor in the prohibition of alcohol for the Nazirite (Num 6:3,20; cf. Judg 13:7; Amos 2:12; Luke 1:15), it is more likely that in this case self-denial simply expresses separation to God from earthly joys.
However, the derogatory effect of alcohol on clear thinking and decision-making may certainly explain why God prohibits its consumption by priests while on duty (Lev 10:9-11; Ezek 44:21; cf. Isa 28:7). It was clearly important for the latter to have their wits about them as they conducted their responsibilities in the worship of God – both for their own sake (cf. Lev 10:1-3) and to ensure the benefit for the worshippers (cf. Lev 22:17-25).
As well as implicit warnings about the dangers of alcohol, there are several explicit warnings within the OT. The Book of Proverbs notes that Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise (Prov 20:1). The following chapters further warn readers of alcohol’s potentially detrimental effects on their personal well-being (Prov 21:17; 23:19-21; 23:29-35; 31:4-7). In a similar vein, the prophet Isaiah criticises those whose pleasure in life apparently revolves around the consumption of alcohol (Isa 5:11,22), and Micah condemns those who seem to live for very little else (Mic 2:11).
To this OT material, we can obviously add passages from the NT that strongly discourage drunkenness and encourage sobriety (Matt 24:49; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:10; Eph 5:18; 1 Tim 3:3,8; Tit 1:7; 2:3).[1]
All these texts must, of course, be balanced by Scripture’s more positive attitude to the use of alcohol. As reflected by its use in OT worship rituals, wine is clearly considered one of God’s blessings (Exod 29:40; Lev 23:13; Num 15:5,7,10; 18:12; 28:7,14; Deut 14:23,26). Indeed, it is explicitly described as a gift God gives to be enjoyed (Gen 27:28; Deut 7:13; 11:14; 12:17; 14:26; Ps 104:15; Eccl 9:7; 10:19; cf. Isa 55:1) and is depicted as a facet of God’s future blessing in the messianic era (cf. Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13; Zech 9:11). Jesus turned water into high-quality wine (John 2:1-10), and some of the accusations levelled at him clearly suggest that his practice was quite different from that of John the Baptist (cf. Matt 11:19; Luke 7:33-34). The consumption of wine (albeit diluted with water, according to Rabbinical practice) was a significant part of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:24-25 and parallels; 1 Cor 11:25),[2] and Paul famously advocated its medicinal value to Timothy (1 Tim 5:23).
It is clear from this that wine (or other fermented drink) falls into that category of everything that God has richly provided us with for our enjoyment (1 Tim 6:17).[3] Moreover, none of us should pass judgment on others who wish to enjoy it (Col 2:16; cf. 1 Cor 10:29). Yet, as many biblical texts underline, we must do so in moderation and avoid over-indulgence, which is simply a form of greed. Moreover, we must avoid exercising our freedom in such a way that might trip others up or sin against their conscience (cf. Rom 14:14,21).
But to return to the point with which I started, to what extent should our Christian attitude and practice be counter-cultural? For example, when having a family gathering or other special occasion, do we automatically assume that we must serve alcohol? When we are guests, do we insist on bringing along a bottle of nice wine – even when we know that the hosts are tea-totallers? We had such an experience a few years back. When I informed my guest that we would use the wine for cooking, he was not impressed – we had no idea about the quality of the wine! On several occasions, I have received a bottle of wine as an expression of gratitude, and I can understand non-Christians simply assuming that this is something I will appreciate. However, what about Christians? Do we simply assume that everyone in our society drinks alcohol, and by our reaction or comments imply that anyone with a dry house must be slightly odd? A recent Government advert depicted a father subliminally teaching his son to consume too much alcohol. Is this something that even we, as Christians, may also be doing? Does our attitude and practice demarcate us from our society? Or does it signal that we are just like others who find it difficult to relax or have a good time without a glass of wine or a bottle of beer in our hand? If so, surely this is hardly the message we are wishing to send – either to the next generation of Christians or to the world at large. Jesus was falsely accused of being a winebibber (KJV). Might the same charge hold more weight for his 21st-century disciples?
[1] While some of these NT texts relate in particular to church leaders, it should be noted that the moral virtues listed apply to all believers, rather than simply a spiritual elite.
[2] The alcoholic nature of the wine is suggested by the fact that those who were selfishly abusing the Lord’s Supper at Corinth were actually getting drunk (1 Cor 11:21).
[3] Concentrated alcohol (i.e. liquor such as whiskey and gin, or wine fortified with extra alcohol) was unknown in biblical times; distillation was invented by the Arabs in the Middle Ages. Given their inebriating potential, self-control is even more important for the consumption of most modern alcoholic beverages.
