General Executive Conference, April 1983
Social drinking in the Christian community is a major concern of many Church leaders. The vibrant stand in condemnation of the drinking of alcoholic beverages of a few years ago is completely gone in certain quarters. In fact, it is "fashionable" in some Christian circles to have wine or beer with dinner. The question is, "What about social drinking and the Christian?"
Social drinking has been defined as: a glass of wine to enhance a meal, a drink or two while having fun, sipping and eating, using alcohol as a beverage, drinking while talking with friends, and knowing when to say "when." In this paper, we shall consider the physical, social and Biblical aspects of the issue. Also, in the conclusion we will emphasize important principles and our final statement.
Physical Aspect
The human body is made up of millions of tiny cells of different types. '*'
Each cell is alive and has a job to do in combination with other cells. Living cells use nutrients—food—from which energy or work is gained. A group of cells of one type is called a tissue, for example, nerve tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue. Different kinds of tissue have different special jobs and uses. Each kind can be disturbed in its work by many happenings, for example, by lack of the right kind of food, or by exposure to great heat or cold. A group of tissues may be combined in certain ways to make up an organ, as the heart or the liver. The human body is very efficient because its different tissues and organs work together, in a systematic way. to do special jobs. Each organ depends on the work of the others. If one of them is damaged or disordered, the others will suffer. What then is the effect of alcohol on the organs of the body?
* IF THE CELLS, TISSUES AND ORGANS ARE AFFECTED BY OR DISORDERED BY ANYTHING THE REST WILL ALSO SUFFER...
The most important effect is on the brain. When a man drinks an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol passes into his blood stream, mainly through the walls of his small intestine. The circulating blood brings the alcohol to the brain as well as to all the organs and tissues. A small proportion of alcohol acts directly on the brain and is enough to interfere with the work of the highest brain cells. Judgment and restraint are the first functions of the brain to be affected. The drinkers' ability to think and make decisions becomes impaired.
As more alcohol is consumed. other organs are affected and the following stages of impairment are noticed: poor muscle control. slurred speech,legs wobbling and eventually stupor and coma.
The effect of alcohol on the liver is now widely known and cirrhosis of the liver is a leading cause of death in the United States. Eighteen per 100.000 die from it.
In "Alcohol and You" ( These Times. February 1975). Penny Wheeler gives the following information: alcohol destroys brain cells and impairs intellectual functions. It has a toxic effect on the heart and causes irreparable damage to the heart muscle. In time, it precipitates total degeneration of the liver, intestines, lungs. pancreas, endocrine glands, sex glands, and bone tissue. It causes polyineuritis or inflammation of the nerves, and it leaves the body susceptible to infectious disease by decreasing the production of both white and red blood cells.
"Alcohol, even moderation, speeds up the destruction of nerve cells and initiates senility earlier in the life of any drinking man—or woman," says Dr. Melvin H. Knisely, head of a South Carolina research team. "Alcohol," Dr. Knisely explains, "forms an adhesive substance in the blood cells which cuts off blood cells from their oxygen supply. The trapped cells eventually die, affecting the heart, liver and brain. As more nerve cells are destroyed, senility sets in. There is no such thing as an innocent cocktail." Dr. Knisely himself has given up alcohol as a result of his findings.
What should all this mean to millions who are moderate or social drinkers? The cells they lose are irreplaceable. The only difference between this loss of brain cells and that of the heavy drinker is one of degree.
In Conclusion, some Biblical references of the effects of alcohol on the body are: Leviticus 10:8-11 (alcohol confuses right and wrong); Judges 13:2-14,24 (alcohol is a life-germ poison and tends to affect the unborn child), Proverbs 31:1-5 (alcohol causes loss of memory, impairs judgment), and Ezekiel 44:21 (alcohol causes loss of reverence and respect). "THESE ARE IMPORTANT VERSES"
Social Aspect
In consideration of the social aspect of drinking alcoholic beverages, we have to consider first the social reasons given for consuming such beverages. The main reasons given are that it provides relaxation and enjoyment, and allows social relationships to be less formal with friends. A Christian deciding on whether to partake of alcohol or not must, in the above context, weigh some social facts about the use of alcohol as well as some statements which the Scriptures make that relate to alcohol in society.
First, some social facts:
- Upward of 50 percent of violent crimes are alcohol-related.
- A very high percentage of divorces is alcohol-related.
- One-third of all Canadian drownings involves alcohol.
- Thirty percent of all male admissions to the Waterford Hospital (the provincial
institute for mental disorders) is for alcoholism.
- Half of all traffic fatalities, and one-third of all injuries are alcohol-related.
- More than one-third of suicides involves alcohol.
In a workshop given in the Central Newfoundland area in February 1980, the Gander R.C.M.P. gave the following statistics. Alcohol resulted in:
61% of murder crimes
30% of suicides
34% of rapes
60% of child abuse
29% of other sex crimes
The question a Christian has to ask in the light of the above facts is whether his social drinking associates him with the use of an item which causes such heartache and trouble in our society today. Philippians 2:4 says, "Look not every man on his own things. but every man also on the things of others." By drinking alcoholic beverages, aren't Christians adding to the coffers of companies which sell a product whose excesses cause much trouble? How does the believers' drinking affect his neighbour? Romans 14:21 says, "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." If the believer ignores such a statement, is he showing the love that is required to be shown among the "disciples"? (John 13:35)
The second part of the social question is to consider what the Scriptures actually say about the social aspect of alcohol. First Corinthians 5:11 specifically states that Christians are not to keep company with a man who calls himself a brother and is a drunkard. First Corinthians 6:10 and Galatians 5:21 state that drunkards shall not go to heaven. but shall be thrown together with those who practice other evils of the flesh. In Ephesians 5:18. we are told not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Spirit. Other social effects are also listed in the Old Testament, egs., Proverbs 23:29-32; 23:21; 21:17. It appears in Scripture that those who had responsibility for making decisions were to refrain from alcohol, ea., priests were to refrain (Leviticus 10:8.9); rulers were to refrain lest their judgments were affected (Proverbs 31:4-5); and bishops and deacons in the Church were not to be given wine (I Timothy 3:2-8).
The final question the Christian faces is whether or not the small social drink associates him with the excessive alcohol consumer inferred in the above. Can the Christian walk the narrow line dividing him from the heavy drinker? Or, shouldn't he consider I Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful unto me. but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." Rather than trying to walk the thin line, isn't total abstinence the safest policy Again, 1 Corinthians 10:31 '*' [NO POWER OTHER THAN GOD] "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do. do all to the glory of God." In this violent and strife-torn society, can a person, by his social drinking, really praise God and bring glory to Him while there is such trouble and heartache being caused by the same product he is imbibing? On the other hand, by totally abstaining. The believer would be protesting against the abuse of alcohol in our society today. Also, a person who abstains will never have the worry or fear of becoming an alcoholic.
Relaxation. enjoyment and happiness for the Christian should not have to be found in a bottle. It should be found in the Person of Jesus Christ; To the unbeliever, alcohol is a crutch, a crutch which the believer does not need. Psalm 16:11 says, "...in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Philippians 4:7 says, "...the peace of God. Which passeth all understanding. shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Our pleasures should be Spirit-directed and helpful, not harmful and selfish.
Biblical Aspect
There are 637 references to drink and drinking in the Bible, some with warnings, others with commendations.
There are 13 different words which are translated "wine." We will look briefly at five of these words, three in the Old Testament, and two in the New Testament.
Old Testament
1. Yain (Yayin) 140 times—to squeeze or press, a general term for fruit beverages like our word "drink." A common drink (Genesis 14:18); as a drink offering. (Leviticus 23:13): intoxicating (Genesis 9:21); figuratively used of wisdom (Proverbs 9:2,5): of wrath (Jeremiah 25:15); of love (Song of Solomon 1:2; 4:10) (Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary).
Does refer to fermented wine (Horton).
In most of the passages in the Bible where yayin is used (83/ 138), it certainly means fermented grape juice (Unger's Bible Dictionary).
2. Tirosh 32 times associated with wheat, corn, oil, flock blessings. And signifies something. to be eaten or gathered, not liquid; evidently vine-fruit, fresh or preserved, always commended (Palmer).
- fresh grape juice (Morris. Horton).
- fresh or sweet wine: approved (Genesis 27:28; Judges 9:13; II Kings 18:32: Zechariah 9:17).
- Disapproval (Hosea 4:1) (Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary).
- wine that was not fully aged (although with intoxicating properties)
(Judges 9:13: Hosea 4:11; cf. Acts 2:13), or wine when considered specifically as the product of grapes (Deuteronomy 12:17; 18:4) (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
- the freshly-pressed juice of the grape. May be intoxicating (Unger).
3. Shekar 42 times any drink from sources other than grapes; connected with woes. sorrows, warnings—condemned, prohibited, warned against (Palmer).
- various fermented beverages, especially beer. which was the common beverage of the Philistines (Horton).
- appears to mean "intoxicating drink" of any sort (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
New Testament
1. Oinos
- (Hebrew Yain) is used for both yain (general) and tirosh (vine-fruit), but not shekar (Palmer).
- means either the fresh "fruit of the vine" or its decay product, as the context may require (Morris).
- used of both wine and grape juice (meaning determined by the context) (Horton).
2. Gleukos
- "Sweet," "new wine" which seems to have been of an intoxicating nature (Acts 2:13) (Unger).
- "sweet," "new wine" (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
- freshly squeezed and hence unfermented grape juice (Morris).
The context, or history. indicates whether the "wine" spoken of was new (freshly squeezed) or old (fermented). The account of the Last Supper from the Gospels Matthew. Mark and Luke does not use the word "wine" but rather, "...he took the cup....fruit of the vine" (Matthew 26:27-29). The vine does not produce alcohol. Alcohol is a result of decay. The apostle Paul was the forerunner of the therapeutic value of fresh fruit juices for digestion and general health (I Timothy 5:23).
The Bible condemns the use of alcoholic beverages and exposes the sin of strong drink. Morris points out the following:
Wise individuals abstain (Proverbs 20:1).
Drunkenness leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:17: 23:21).
Drink causes sorrow, strife, gossip. heartache and redness of eyes (Proverbs 23:29,30).
Drink, although attractive, is deceiving, harmful and invokes impure thoughts
(Proverbs 23:31-33).
Strong drink is habit-forming (Proverbs 23:35).
Drink may cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21).
Drunkenness is condemnded by God (Isaiah 5:22; Galatians 5:21).
It should he noted that the wine of the New Testament is not identical to wine used today. In reality, today's wine is, in comparison to a Biblical understanding, "strong drink." This is because it is artificial fermentation, as opposed to natural fermentation, where the alcoholic content is much higher. It has been shown that in New Testament times, one would need to drink 22 glasses of wine in order to consume the large amount of alcohol in two martinis today. Norman Geisler says, "Therefore Christians ought not drink wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages for they are actually 'strong drink' and are forbidden in Scriptures."
Conclusion
Christians are very special people in every community, with extra special responsibilities toward both God and man. As spiritual individuals, important Scriptural principles govern the whole of life. Therefore, the drinking of alcoholic beverages must be considered in the light of these principles. Included in the following list are principles from the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God:
We live with a Christian responsibility based on love and concern for God and others.
— From what we have seen in this paper, we conclude that drinking is part of
life-style that leads society in general away from the values Christianity holds as important, Surely, we can live, relax and have fun without alcohol.
- The Christian, by virtue of the Lordship of Christ, is willing to deny himself of things that might even be permissible apart from things questionable (1 Corinthians 6:12).
- The Bible warns against the consumption of intoxicating beverages (Proverbs 23:31,32; 20:1).
— Scripture indicates that consumption of intoxicating beverages impairs human judgment (Proverbs 23:35).
— Believers have an obligation to live in such a way that their influence on others will not encourage a weaker brother to follow a destructive path (Romans 14:7).
- Believers are not to trifle with that which might bring them under its power (1 Corinthians 6:12). When a person comes under the power of anything other than the control of Christ, he has rejected the Lordship of Christ.
- Believers are to abstain from all appearances of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).
The weight of Scriptures very clearly warns against consuming Of alcoholic beverages. There are far more passages warning of t he evils of drinking than supporting moderation.
MISUSE: ANY USE CAN BE MISUSE
Christians are urged to do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31).
When we survey the havoc wrought through alcoholic beverages, it becomes clear that we cannot consume intoxicating beverages even moderately and do it to the glory of God. Any practice that abuses the human body is wrong.
Our concern for society must begin with individual believers and extend to society at large. We must consider drinking a moral and spiritual problem. Therefore, a powerful personal example and a united position are important for us as a fellowship of believers.
The principles of Scripture, when applied to our situation and culture, indicate that voluntary abstinence is the only safe and wise course for God's people to follow.
