If you are emotional about this issue, you may want to skip reading it. If however, you really want to understand what the bible says on the issue, and can get past your prejudices long enough to read the following, you may learn something. Your choice. Please do not skim it. You could easily skip an important bit of information. If you have already made up your mind, there is no reason to go any farther. May God bless you and give you wisdom in your choices.
Can a Christian drink alcoholic beverages / When the Bible talks about wine, does it mean grape juice ?
I see this question come up often. Often, people want to answer this question in a way, that is emotionally comfortable for them. Some Christians, enjoy a drink now and then, others abstain completely, yet others still, are alcoholics. Everyone wants to be justified in how they live and what they believe, and this guides the thinking and understanding of some people. This sometime even turns into a debate.
The proper attitude, is to accept what the Bible says on the subject, as Christians, we are supposed to be about truth. So, if we find that the Bible teaches we are to abstain from alcohol, we should accept that teaching. If we already abstain, and believe that is the bibles teaching, but discover that there is a certain permissiveness, then we should not forbid what God allows. Is this not the reasonable, balanced approach we should have? Shouldn't we study the Bible, and believe what it says, even if we do not like what it says? Of course we should, and the more we synchronize with God's position on things, the more we like what he says. It can be difficult to obey the Lord, but it does not have to be disagreeable. Let's look at some relative verses, and then see what conclusions we can come too.
Genesis 9:21 is the first verse to mention wine in the Bible This first establishes that wine is alcoholic, at least sometimes.
And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
Leviticus 10:9 has this to say: Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
While obviously, that is a reference to alcoholic drink, don't get too excited about it, this is an instruction specifically to Aaron and his sons, as priests serving in the tabernacle. Similarly, Nazarites were forbidden to use wine in numbers 6:3,20, and Judges 13:4-7.
In fact, the Old Testament is full of examples of when not to drink wine, and warnings against indulgence. So I think we can safely assume, that a person who abstains, is doing a good thing. I will not go into the many examples, because we have already established the fact, that alcohol had lead to drunkenness, and it is good to abstain. Of course anyone who has been around drinkers, has probably already figured this out.
So, we know so far, that alcohol can lead to drunkenness and abstinence is good. We need go no further, to justify abstaining from alcohol. Can we therefore conclude that drinking is a sin? That would not be a warranted conclusion. The Old Testament nowhere forbids drinking except is very specific cases, though it does warn us about the problems of drunkenness. We need also, to get clarification from the New Testament. Before we jump to conclude that drinking is sin, we need to find such a statement in the Bible, so far, we have not.
In the New Testament, most are aware that Jesus first miracle, was that of turning jars of water into jars of wine. Those who believe that drinking is a sin, usually point out that in the New Testament, the word for wine can mean grape juice. It needs to be pointed out, that it can mean fermented grape juice - wine. The Greek word translated as wine in the New Testament, is oisnos. It is a very basic word, it is the equivalent of the modern English word, wine! Imagine that. Perhaps, that is why the translators chose to use the English word "wine". I have looked in five Greek language reference works, and none of them ever suggested anything other than wine. There is no verse in the bible, that hints at the notion of wine, an being unfermented. This is not surprising. Two thousand years ago, there were no refrigerators in Israel. Wine presses, barrels vats and jars, were not sterilized. A quantity of grape juice, would ferment very quickly under such conditions. Any juice stored, would be wine or go further into vinegar. It is possible, that they drank grape juice, upon occasion, but it would be the exception, not the rule.
I do find mention of the notion of wine not being fermented is some commentaries, but never in the scholarly ones and always in works of the last 150 years. The notion that Jesus drank grape juice, not wine, is a recent one, apparently.
While it may be an error to assume that wine was an unfermented drink, it would also be an error to assume that wine is always like modern wine in it's alcoholic content. Often, wine was consumed after it had been diluted. You can imagine, in a hot and dry climate, which much of Israel is, especially in the summer, that undiluted wine would be a poor choice to quench your thirst. It would be very easy to over consume.
Following, is part of an article from Eastons Bible Dictionary:
"The Rechabites were forbidden the use of wine (Jer 35). The Nazarites also were
to abstain from its use during the period of their vow (Num 6:1-4); and those who were
dedicated as Nazarites from their birth were perpetually to abstain from it (Judg 13:4,5;
Luke 1:15; 7:33). The priests, too, were forbidden the use of wine and strong drink when
engaged in their sacred functions (Lev 10:1,9-11). "Wine is little used now in the
East, from the fact that Mohammedans are not allowed to taste it, and very few of other
creeds touch it. When it is drunk, water is generally mixed with it, and this was
the custom in the days of Christ also. The people indeed are everywhere very
sober in hot climates; a drunken person, in fact, is never seen", (Geikie's Life of
Christ). The sin of drunkenness, however, must have been not uncommon in the olden times,
for it is mentioned either metaphorically or literally more than seventy times in the
Bible."
Drunkenness is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible, so obviously, there was alcohol around. We know that there is a term, "strong drink", mentioned in the bible, and that people can get drunk on strong drink. Strong drink is mentioned in 19 separate verses, all but two of them, also mention wine. Now, I want to show you a couple of verses, that you don't hear much about. First, did you know that you can spend your tithe on wine or strong drink?
Deut 14:22-26
22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year
by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place
his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings
of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the
place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there,
when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go
unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after,
for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink , or for
whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou
shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
KJV
Now, if this does not establish that drinking is not a sin, I do not know what can. God specifically said it was o.k. to spend the tithe on wine or strong drink, and drink it before Him, rejoicing.
Now, if that wasn't interesting enough, here is something else you probably were not
aware of. You may be aware, of the Nazarite vow. Generally, Nazarites (or Nazirites) were
such Israelites as took on them the vow prescribed in Num 6:2-21. The word denotes
generally one who is separated from others and consecrated to God. Although there is no
mention of any Nazarite before Samson, yet it is evident that they existed before the time
of Moses. The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things, (1) abstinence from wine and
strong drink, (2) refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of
the continuance of the vow, and (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead.
The vow was to be separate to God, Holy, for a period of time, chosen be the practitioner.
Most of us, that are aware of this vow, are aware that there is to be no strong drink or
wine. That itself, should tell you that strong an wine, were not an abnormal practice.
Those who are fond of claiming that Jesus never made or drank wine, but only grape juice,
might want to observe the following passage:
Num 6:1-4
6:1 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to
them, 'When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, to dedicate himself
to the LORD, 3 he shall abstain from wine and strong drink ; he shall drink no vinegar,
whether made from wine or strong drink , neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat
fresh or dried grapes. 4'All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is
produced by the grape vine, from the seeds even to the skin.
NASB
Wow, imagine that, not only were they not to drink wine or strong drink, but if the wanted
to be holy (separated) unto the Lord, they were not to have grapes, grape juice, or even
raisins!
Several emphatic warnings are given in the New Testament against excess in the use of wine
(Luke 21:34; Rom 13:13; Eph 5:18; 1 Tim 3:8; Titus 1:7).
Jesus said in Matt 11:18-19
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son
of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend
of tax collectors and "sinners."
Notice, that Jesus admits drinking, and that people called him a drunkard. Why would
they call him that, if He were drinking grape juice?
Summation:
Alcoholic drinks are commonly mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. There can be no doubt of that. There is no evidence, that Jesus did not drink real wine. Drinking is never talked of, as a sin in the bible, though priests and kings and other certain people are to refrain from it. Alcohol in excess, causes drunkenness, and that is sin, that is excess. Now that that is settled for all who are open-minded, let's look at another aspect of this whole, silly debate.
Stumbling, judging, and doing what is best.
Here, I am going to present to you, the entire chapter of Romans 14, without any commentary, because it needs none. It it you will fine verses addressed to you, no matter what you think of the issue we just looked at, this is your roadmap for behavior God approves of.
Rom 14
14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment
on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats
vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let
not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to
judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for
the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another
regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who
observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he
gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks
to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we
live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live
or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be
Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you
again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall give praise to God."
12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to
put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the
Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be
unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no
longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one
another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are
clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat
meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith
which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn
himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his
eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
NASB
Final word:
Lest anyone get the idea that I am advocating the use of alcohol, let me be crystal clear, I am not. I am also, not making any excuse for those of you who want to drink. Alcohol is a poison, a drug. It can be dangerous to your own health, and the consequence of having judgement impaired, reflexes slowed, inhibitions lowered, should not be underestimated. If one, of drinking age, chooses to have a drink, you will get no grief from me, but if you are tempted to have another, or to experiment to see how far you can go or see what intoxication is like, or if you have ever had a drinking problem, you should definitely abstain. We, as Christians, are called to exercise self control, be sober minded, and not stumble our brothers and sisters. If you love God, and love your fellow man, abstinence is the best choice, you avoid a lot of problems that way. You have many freedoms in Christ, but there is never a license to sin. Your freedoms in Christ, also do not give you the right to drink openly, where those weak in their faith on whether it is a sin to drink, could be influenced to go against their conscience. Even openly debating this issue, could be a problem. This article is theoretically available to anyone on the internet, but it cannot be found without knowing the way to it. That is intentional. I intend to give this link to whoever can benefit from it, keeping in mind the experiences a faith of the individual. Those of you who do read this, I ask you do do the same, and do not create links to it which can be found by the general public. If you want to use this article to win a debate, rather than educate someone ready for the information, I do not give my permission to share this to you. Be mature in the Lord. A great rule of behavior - always act, as though Jesus Himself was bodily along side of you, act as you would in His presence, because, after all, He is present with you, and what ever you do in life, you drag Him through. Please, make excellent choices.
Omegaman
For those interested in more detail on the original language word, meanings, and there usage in English Bibles, you can read this article from the International Standard Encyclopaedia.