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Alcohol is quite a controversial topic in evangelical circles. And rightly so, since alcoholism is a serious problem in many of our communities and cultures. My own history with alcohol is complicated. My father, although a Christian, struggled with alcohol all his life, following a great disappointment when he discovered, as a young Christian, the ugly face of religious hypocrisy. That is why, when I went through a conversion experience, around the age of 18, I have decided to not drink alcohol. I was aware of this weakness in my father’s family and I did not want my children to go through the shame I felt as the son of an alcoholic father.

Then, about ten years later, I realised that my abstinence was an obstacle to my witness as Christian to my friends and colleagues. Serving wine is to a guest is the cultural norm in my culture. As a result, my friends were offended when I refused their offer, which made it difficult for me to share my faith with them. As a result, I have decided to move a bit my protection fenc. So, for years, I never went one glass of wine. Even now, decades later, I am not without a limit, even if it is more flexible.

I remember that in 1994, when I was interviewed by the board of a Baptist seminary in Oradea, their main objection was that I am not an abstinent. I told them that I am ready to become one if they can prove to me from Scripture that tea-totallism is required of all Christians. They knew they can’t, so they dropped it, even if they did not like it.

Scot McKnight, whose blog I read regularly and with great benefit, received recently a question about this topic. I paste here a few quotes from his response, with which I agree completely. I could have not said it better. Here it is:

First, regardless of what the critics are saying, the Bible does not demand total abstinence from alcohol for all of God’s people. Anyone who does that is a zealot who is using the Bible to foist a morality on others that the Bible doesn’t have.

Second, the Bible enjoins moderation or the wise use of alcohol as it assumes people will be drinking alcohol. So, the Bible can say that wine makes the heart glad and at the same time say “don’t get too glad,” because it says we are not to be drunk on alcohol. Eph 5:18. Jesus himself used wine as a symbol of the exceeding joy of the kingdom (John 2:1-11) and that was a natural connection to celebration for Jews of his day.
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Third, there is a Bible tradition of abstinence from alcohol, from Samson to John Baptist, but there is nothing that indicates this was either common nor was it seen as the special mark of piety. Abstinence is a good and wise option for Christians; it is not the posture of the most advanced Christian or the sign of total dedication.

These, to me, are biblical facts. Anyone who says abstinence is required for Christians is simply not in accord with the Bible; but we also are encouraged by the Bible to think that abstinence is a genuine if not also important option.

Mature Christians ought to trust others to act wisely in these matters; mature Christians don’t need to censure the wise decisions of others.

Having said that, alcohol ought to be consumed in moderation and wisely. That is, in a way that does not lead to drunkenness and in a way that is not intentionally scandalous or reckless with others.  It is reckless to flaunt alcohol in front of those who struggle with alcoholism. But those who are against it can’t claim the higher moral ground by saying they are “scandalized” if that means they are against it. To be “scandalized” means to fall into the sin of drunkenness; it does not refer to the ambiguity some feel because someone disagrees with something they hold to be important. Leaders ought to be wise in their consumption, though I don’t believe it is wise for churches or denominations to think they are taking the high road by demanding abstinence for leaders or pastors. This is an issue of wisdom and not ruling or ordinance.

Read HERE the whole article.

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