A major question yet a minor concern in modern Christianity is if we are allowed to drink alcohol? This, being an area grayer than an elephant, has resulted in answers ranging from "hells yeah!" to "ye shall be smote if a drop of fermented sugar ever toucheth your lips!". The truth is, nearly every answer given is correct. The concern is not so much as what answer given but rather how the answer is found. Weaving through a bunch of archaic Old Testament laws does nobody any good for we have freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage". This is repealed a little later by Paul saying "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal 5:13). Pretty clear, right? Not quite.
A mirror reference for this would be in Romans 14. The whole chapter. In summation, Paul tells us we are free to do anything we please according to the Spirit, as long as it isn't in direct violation of rules laid down by Jesus himself. However, one must exercise caution around new believers, believers who are easily tempted, and people we are proselytizing to. I could give you a laundry list of passages either condemning or condoning the use of alcohol as a Christian but that would be self-defeating. The key rule here is: all in moderation.
Paul instructed Timothy to drink a little wine for an upset stomach, Jesus drank wine at parties, and He was even called a winebibber (drunkard). The thing one must consider is there being a time and place for everything. Breaking society's laws is sin. Therefore, drinking and driving, giving alcohol to a minor, carrying an open container, all dangers in this world. However, there are those rare times when having a couple drinks with a stranger or a friend is necessary for ministry.
We are certainly not banned from celebration, and we are not disallowed to celebrate in any way we please. A lot of references will only mention wine, that Christians can drink wine. Yet, they fail to realize wine was really the only alcohol around at the time. It was used for religious feasts and festivals, and it was also safer than water. In Jesus' day there was no Jagermeister, Johnnie Walker, Hypnotiq, Disarrono, Champagne, or any other celebratory spirit. Henceforth, these are equal to wine, as long as drunk in moderation.
When it all comes down to it, if not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the basic rule is 'do as Jesus did'. He allowed alcohol to enter his system, however He never overindulged. He never spoke out against being drunk, yet we know the dangers and Paul's passages warning us against it. In a small group of friends who understand the gospel or would be unaffected by the situation, go ahead, get a little tipsy. Just don't drive or get completely uninhibited. And don't be the lizard.
A mirror reference for this would be in Romans 14. The whole chapter. In summation, Paul tells us we are free to do anything we please according to the Spirit, as long as it isn't in direct violation of rules laid down by Jesus himself. However, one must exercise caution around new believers, believers who are easily tempted, and people we are proselytizing to. I could give you a laundry list of passages either condemning or condoning the use of alcohol as a Christian but that would be self-defeating. The key rule here is: all in moderation.
Paul instructed Timothy to drink a little wine for an upset stomach, Jesus drank wine at parties, and He was even called a winebibber (drunkard). The thing one must consider is there being a time and place for everything. Breaking society's laws is sin. Therefore, drinking and driving, giving alcohol to a minor, carrying an open container, all dangers in this world. However, there are those rare times when having a couple drinks with a stranger or a friend is necessary for ministry.
We are certainly not banned from celebration, and we are not disallowed to celebrate in any way we please. A lot of references will only mention wine, that Christians can drink wine. Yet, they fail to realize wine was really the only alcohol around at the time. It was used for religious feasts and festivals, and it was also safer than water. In Jesus' day there was no Jagermeister, Johnnie Walker, Hypnotiq, Disarrono, Champagne, or any other celebratory spirit. Henceforth, these are equal to wine, as long as drunk in moderation.
When it all comes down to it, if not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the basic rule is 'do as Jesus did'. He allowed alcohol to enter his system, however He never overindulged. He never spoke out against being drunk, yet we know the dangers and Paul's passages warning us against it. In a small group of friends who understand the gospel or would be unaffected by the situation, go ahead, get a little tipsy. Just don't drive or get completely uninhibited. And don't be the lizard.
