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Christian Perspectives on Alcohol: Wisdom, Principles, and Societal Implications

Explore the Christian stance on alcohol consumption from a biblical perspective. Delve into wisdom, principles, and the societal impact of drinking, addressing drunkenness, sobriety, and social drinking in light of key scriptures.

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Christian Perspectives on Alcohol: Wisdom, Principles, and Societal Implications

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  1. Sins of Society (3) The Christian and Social Drinking

  2. 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

  3. 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!

  4. 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

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

  6. 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?

  7. 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

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

  9. 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

  10. 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

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

  12. 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?

  13. 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?

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

  15. 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!

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

  17. 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!

  18. 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

  19. 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!

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

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