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Alcohol is a topic that gets debated ad-nauseum on different Facebook group pages, including the group, “Southern Baptists.” The most recent discussion was based on an article by Wayne Grudem, published on crossway.org, “Should Christians Practice Total Abstinence from Alcoholic Beverages?”
Grudem says it is a question that each person should answer. The answer will vary from person to person — based on factors such as family history, the individual and the culture they are in. He references former President George W. Bush, who quit drinking at age 40.
The author transitions to asking “Should Churches Require Total Abstinence from Alcoholic Beverages?” He references church covenants that often hang somewhere in many churches that require anyone wanting to join that church “…to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage,”
Grudem does not support that type of requirement. In my church it is not a requirement for membership. But as a church member you should support and encourage others to live out that statement.
He references Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2:6-11) where Jesus turns water into wine. This is probably the number one Scripture that is thrown out by pro-alcohol groups.
But I disagree with any group that supports drinking alcohol. I base my belief on various Bible verses, where we are told to be sober or sober-minded. In the Bible there are 25 verses that have the word sober or temperate. While there is not a direct command to abstain from alcohol, I believe 1 Thess. 5:1-10 implies that.
In these verses Paul tells the Thessalonians to be ready for Christ’s return. Christ is going to return at any time. We are to be sober so that we can recognize Jesus when He returns.
In his letter to Titus, Paul tells his him to “live soberly” (Titus 2:12).
1 Peter 1:13-15 tells us to be sober-minded and hope for God’s return. Those of us that are Christian are not to return to our previous lifestyle. We are to be holy.
As Christians, we should be ready to suffer for Christ as Jesus suffered for us on the cross. We should not sin, live in the flesh or lusts of men, but live to the will of God. We should not walk in “lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).When we stop walking in sin, our friends will think it strange and even speak evil of us.
1 Peter 4:5 asks who shall give an account to Christ, the One that is ready to judge the quick and the dead? The answer is that we will. We as Christians should be fulfilling the Great Commission in Matt. 28:18-20. We are to be teaching all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost — teaching them to observe all things Jesus has commanded — even unto the end of the world. If we watch, pray and work to fulfill the Great Commission, we will have no time to get drunk.
In 1 Peter 5:8-9, we are told to be sober, to remain vigilant, always looking, always watching, keeping our head on a swivel. For what are we to be watching? Several things.
We should be looking for the return of Christ. We should be looking for the devil and snatching people from his grip. Even though we know that we will be persecuted and ridiculed in the public arena, we are to remain steadfast and continue the work of God.
The word sober means to not be drunk, not to be under the influence of destructive drugs. To be sober is not just a period of time, but we are to be sober 24/7, 365 days a year.
There are verses in the Old Testament that warn us about the use of alcohol, such as Prov. 20:1 and Prov. 23:29-32. These tell us that those who use alcohol will have problems.
I do not understand how Christians who are church members and even pastors can and do support the use of and sale of intoxicating beverages.
MARIJUANA
Now, can I use marijuana? There are no clear-cut commands, but I believe that the verses commanding us to be sober are clearly telling us not to use it.
Refer to the definition of sober. It means to not be under the influence of destructive drugs. Despite what the pro-marijuana lobby has said, marijuana is destructive. Science has proven this.
Medical marijuana is the exact same product that you can get on the street today. There is nothing medicinal about it. Some studies have shown that marijuana actually exacerbates the problem being treated. Studies have also shown that with prolonged use, marijuana will destroy your brain.
The former Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention used to distribute a tract, “I Will Abstain!” which is currently out of print. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) website does have paragraphs addressing alcohol and marijuana use, though it is nothing like the “I Will Abstain!” tract.
I would love to see the SBC take a strong stance against alcohol and marijuana. I would also love to hear preachers speak out more about alcohol and marijuana use in their sermons. I would love to see church members speak against alcohol and marijuana. If church members own liquor stores or work in the liquor industry, I would urge them to get rid of the license and stores, as well as quit working in those industries.
I work with Kentucky Ethics League/ Kentucky League on Alcohol, Gambling Problems and Substance Use Disorder (formerly the Temperance League of Kentucky). We go to Frankfort to speak at committee meetings, usually against bills that expand alcohol, marijuana and gambling.
We would also enjoy coming to churches to speak on these topics. Our phone number is 502-371-9984. We are a 501-c3 and 501-c4 organization, depending on donations, which are tax deductible. Make checks payable to Kentucky Ethics League, 13420 Eastpoint Centre Dr., Louisville, KY. 40223.
Gene Cole is pastor of Corinth Baptist Church in Webster County and executive director of the Kentucky Ethics League.
”}]] Alcohol is a topic that gets debated ad-nauseum on different Facebook group pages, including the group, “Southern Baptists.” The most recent discussion was based on an article by Wayne Grudem, Read More
