The Doctrine of Drinking

I decided to reprint my most popular piece. The Doctrine of Drinking was a reponse to the 2000 BFM and quite a fun piece to write. More people have asked me about this article than any other I have recently written. And although it was written to saterize another essay, the logic and substance of the piece is true to Biblical teachings.

The Doctrine of Drinking

The discussion of alcoholic beverages in the church has moved to the front among evangelicals, especially in the last two decades. The issue divides congregations and destroys the faith of individuals. The problems and confusion accompanying the rise of “biblical” temperance prompted Southern Baptists to address the matter head-on. What could be a better defense in a conflict of ideas than a clear and unambiguous statement based on the text of Scripture?

Producing a concise, clear statement of the generally held beliefs of Southern Baptists is challenging, especially when Scripture is contra-culture and against popularly held notions.

Does the Bible command us to drink? Or if not, does the Bible allow us to drink?

The Bible supplements strong condemnation of the “slips” of its trinity of drunks, Noah, Lot, and Nabal, with the stern disapproval of excessive drinking. To Isaiah’s sarcastic reference to those who achieve notoriety for consuming or mixing drinks (5:22), the book of Proverbs adds a scathing denunciation of heavy drinking as well as a solemn reminder of its degrading effects (20:1; 23; 29-35). While Israel’s wise men oppose drunkenness, chiefly because of the obstacle it raises for man’s economic security (Prov. 21:17; 23:21), Paul condemns it as an enemy of the soul, describing it as a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:21) capable of invalidating one’s claim to membership in the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10).
1 Timothy contains two warnings against the toleration of excessive drinkers in high ecclesiastical offices. Though Paul condemns the excessive use of wine, he does not demand the practice of total abstinence. In 5:23 he states: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” This passage clearly identifies Timothy as an abstainer from wine and the victim of a stomach ailment for which Paul prescribes the use of wine.

According to the Bible, drinking is not a sin, as long as it is moderate. For many Christian social groups, appropriate serving of beer and wine is a good idea. The group leaders should make the decision whether to serve alcohol. If you decide your group will serve alcohol, provide only small quantities of beer and/or wine, and be sure to have nonalcoholic beverages available as well. This ensures guests will not feel they have to move outside their normal social environment during the event. The presence of beer and wine says, "We are normal people who can relax and have some fun." Notice that we do not want our guests (not to mention our fellow Christians) intoxicated. They will not be able to participate appropriately in fellowship if they are drunk. Don't overplay the alcohol.

In John 2:6-10, Jesus has some servants fill some big waterpots with 120-180 gallons of water. Then has he them draw some of the water out of one of the pots and take it (probably in a cup) to the headwaiter. After he samples it, he calls the groom over (who is frantic about the situation) and commends him on his fine taste and unusual style. "Most people serve the Mouton Cadet first, and then when the guests have had enough that their taste buds are a little dulled, they introduce the Muscatel to cut costs. But you started with the Mouton, and saved the Rothschild's for last!" I wonder how the groom reacted to this--did he try to cool through by saying "It's nothing, really?"

Nevertheless, the result was that Jesus in a very quiet way rescued the bride and groom from disgrace--and supernaturally produced over 60 cases (750 fifths; 2400 4 oz. glasses) of fine wine. This was far more than the guests would drink, so the considerable amount of leftover wine became a "liquid asset"--Jesus' wedding gift.
What does this tell you about Jesus' attitude toward people enjoying a good time--including social drinking? This is a real problem for those who insist that drinking alcohol is unbiblical. Drunkenness is unbiblical and was strongly censured in Jewish society, but appropriate social drinking was blessed by God in the Old Testament and by Jesus here.

Doctrine and practice, whether in the home or in the church, are not to be determined according to modern cultural, sociological, and ecclesiastical trends. Nor are our choices to be according to emotional whims, regional tradition, or even human instituted ethical codes that stand in contradiction to any clear mandate in Scripture.
Scripture alone must be the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. In numerous instances biblical writers speak of wine in such a way as to suggest it is a benefit from the Lord (Gen. 27:28; Ps. 104:15; Isa. 55:1; Hos. 2:8-9, 22; Joel 2:29, 24; Amos 9:13). They order the payment of a tithe of wine as of other products (Deut. 12:17-18); allow its consummation by Israelites even at their religious festivals (Deut. 14:22-26); speak of bread and wine as the staple articles of diet (Gen. 14:18; Judg. 19:19; Neh. 5:15); sanction its use as a drink offering to God (Exod. 19:40; Lev. 23:13; Num. 6:13-20); mention its appearance as a display of ordinary hospitality (Gen. 14:18); know of its alleged value as a medicine (Prov. 31:6; Luke 10:34; 1 Tim. 5:23) and as anesthetic (Amos 2:8) – in practically every case not only without apparent reproof but with tacit approval.

I am not surprised that John Piper clarified his affirmation to Southern Baptists and to their recently adopted confessional statement. I am honored to count him as a friend and co-laborer and a kindred spirit in affirming the doctrine of Christian drinking. I am certain he is grieved to see how a casual conversation with a stranger could be juxtaposed against the formal statement of his Southern Baptist family, to whom he has been inextricably linked over the decades.

We may disagree on the importance of issues before the church, but we are forever united in lifting up Scripture, pointing men and women to Jesus Christ, and in our commitment to Southern Baptists.


The Baptist Faith and Message

XIX. Alcohol

God has ordained alcohol consumption as an institution of joy in human society. It is appropriate for responsible persons to enjoy alcohol in fellowship and thanksgiving.
What God ordains is always good. That it would be impossible for God to promote anything wicked or unholy is obvious. The Passover observance and Holy Communion as instituted by Jesus are alike in suggesting that the use of alcohol may be appropriate and even necessary to the completeness of the instituted religious ceremonial. No action inherently sinful would ever be approved or commanded as a part of a religious act of worship.
Alcohol is a benefit from the Lord that should be consumed as an offering of thankfulness to Him. It is to be consumed at social gatherings, at religious festivals, and as a staple of diet. Its appearance is a display of ordinary hospitality. Alcohol has value as a medicine and an anesthetic. The drinking of alcohol is met with approval by God.

Scripture prohibits and condemns excessive drinking and drunkenness. Drunkenness has a degrading effect upon body, spirit, and family. It raises obstacles for man’s economic security and is capable of invalidating one’s claim to membership in the Kingdom of God.

Scripture places the decision whether to drink with each of us who make the decision.


Gen. 1:11-12, 29; 14:18; 27:25, 28; Exod. 19:40; Lev. 23:13; Num. 6:13-20; 15:4-10; Deut. 12:17-18; 14:22-26; Judg. 9:13, 21; 19:19; Neh. 5:15; Ps. 104:15; Est. 1:7; Prov. 20:1; 21:17; 23:21, 29-35; 31:6; Eccl. 9:7; Isa. 5:11-12, 22; 28:7; 55:1; Hos. 2:8-9; 4:11; 22; Joel 2:24; Amos 2:6-8; 9:13; Matt. 26:27-29; Mark 15:23; Luke 10:34; John 2:1-11; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 6:10; 11:22; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:7, 8; 1 Tim. 5:23