Sins of Society (3) The Christian and Social Drinking

Alcohol is big business  So are the problems!  24.7% of adults reported having engaged in binge drinking in the past month  7% had an alcohol use disorder

Alcohol is big business  Health problems, family problems, domestic violence, criminal behavior, financial problems, and a major burden to society.  But you wouldn’t know it watching the commercials!

Alcohol is big business  Is this an industry that Christians should support?  What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol, both drunkenness and social drinking?  Today we will address this from the approach of wisdom – Proverbs 1:1-7

Drunkenness condemned  Ephesians 5:18  Galatians 5:19-21  Romans 13:11-14  Proverbs 20:1  1 Peter 4:1-3

Drunkenness condemned  At what point does one become drunk? Can you be a “little drunk”? At what point is sobriety affected?  Drunkenness is a process, not just a state  The one defending “responsible drinking”, WHY do you drink? When “relaxing” or “taking off the edge”, are you not actually reducing your soberness?

Principles & Alcohol!  We are to be sober!  Romans 12:3 – think soberly  Titus 2:11-12 – live soberly  1 Thessalonians 5:6 - Watch (be alert) and be sober

Principles & Alcohol!  Alcohol is associated with and causes many problems (See introduction)  Proverbs 23:29-35

Principles & Alcohol!  It can be addictive  About 7% of adult Americans (approx. 10% of men, 5% of women) have a drinking problem (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)  1 Corinthians 6:12

Principles & Alcohol!  It can affect our influence  Are we glorifying God and Jesus? 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Peter 4:11  Is consuming alcohol/drugs glorifying God in any way?  Will it cause others to stumble? (Brethren, OR the world) 1 Corinthians 8:9- 13, Romans 14:20-21

Principles & Alcohol!  We are to be different!  Transformed, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 4:4 (“You don’t do that anymore?”)

Principles & Alcohol!  Does it pass the “good” test?  1 Thessalonians 5:21-22  Galatians 5:19-23, where would you place drinking in this list?  1 Peter 1:15, Matthew 5:13-16, does anyone ever appeal to these passages to justify ANY drinking?

Social drinking  What about social drinking?  The occasional drink at home, or at a social event, or at a local bar?  1 Peter 4:1-3, drinking parties (banquetings – KJV). This word can include social drinking occasions.  What does wisdom say?

Social drinking  Is it a questionable behavior?  Do you have any doubts about its use? Romans 14:22-23

Arguments  Many passages seem to imply wine was acceptable  True! BUT, can we compare the culture back then to the alcohol industry today?  No! The “implied” usage calls for further study!

Arguments  Wine in Bible Times  The Greek word for wine is (ο ἶ νος, oinos) and can refer to the various stages of the grape ( Matthew 9:17, Isaiah 16:10 [lxx], etc)

Arguments  Wine in Bible Times (compared to today)  1) Beverage choices limited  2) Alcohol content minimal (3% natural, up to 10% enhanced)  3) Water quality – wine used to “purify” – often the wine was diluted  4) Not marketed as a recreational drug like today!

Arguments  Jesus turned water to wine and used wine!  Matthew 11:19, John 2:1-10  Do you really want to say that Jesus contributed to a drinking party ( 3, 11 ) and drunkenness?  Matthew 11 was exaggeration, both for Jesus and John

Arguments  Timothy was told to drink a little wine for his stomach  1 Timothy 5:23  1) It was medicinal  2) It was “little” (not for social purposes)  3) He had to be told to do it by Paul! Implied – Timothy didn’t drink wine at all!

Is God’s will ruling our lives, even in this?