Alcohol

It’s that time of year again! November 4th is voting day and time for each one of us to have the opportunity to speak our minds on candidates and issues. For the first time ever, on the ballot there will be a spot to mark your X as to whether you want the sale of alcoholic beverages to become legal in the whole state. If you take the local newspaper, you’ve seen quite a bit about this matter from both sides of the issue. Perhaps you’ve already made up your mind how you are going to vote. Alice and I chose to vote early, and so our ballots are cast. We’ve all heard the pros and cons of how making the state “wet” will either hurt or help our county. Most folks who have voiced their opinion either way have made it sound good for their side. You know, when it comes down to it, it really does not matter which way we feel about this issue. What matters is how God feels about it. Let’s look at His Word to see how He feels. Early in the book of Genesis, we already see God having to deal with men’s desire for strong drink. Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. …

Alcohol Always Lied to Me

I drank for courage and woke up night after night horrified. I drank for sophistication and became crude. I drank to find peace and ignited a war within myself. I drank to be friendly and became argumentative and nasty. I drank to be sexy and turned people off. I drank so that I could relate to others and I babbled. I drank to put down loneliness and found myself retreating more and more into my shell. I drank to relax and woke up tense. I drank to be entertaining and became an obnoxious clown. I drank to live more fully and contemplated suicide. I drank for adventure and discovered disaster. I drank to be more honest and insulted my friends. I drank to quiet my nerves and woke up with hangover jangles. I drank to feel better and ended up sick and throwing up. I drank to have fun and passed out in the middle of the party. I drank to pep myself up and ended up exhausted. I drank to feel successful (a big shot) but ended up a failure. I drank for security and became afraid of my shadow. I drank to feel better about myself and ended up hating me. I drank to prove I could handle alcohol and ended up knowing it controlled me. A friend said to me “But surely, now that you’ve been sober for a while, it would take a lot of alcohol to put you back in that condition.” “Just one drink,” …

To Drink or Not to Drink

What has God revealed in His Word, the Bible, about the consumption of alcoholic beverages? What English words in our Bible translations identify alcoholic drinks? The word “wine” is represented in the Bible by 10 He­brew and 3 Greek words. Sometimes “wine” means first fruits that are ripe first (Numbers 18:12-13). It can mean the cluster of grapes (Isaiah 65:8). Wine can refer to raisins (Hosea 3:1 ASV). Sometimes it equals the winepress (Nehemiah 13:15). Wine can be grape juice (Isaiah 16:10; Proverbs 3:10), or it can refer to alcoholic wine (Genesis 9:21). The context is the overriding factor determining the definition of both the Hebrew and Greek words for wine. Since the words for “wine” do not indicate either an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic state by definition, only by examining the context can one determine which is meant. There are two categories of “wine” as far as God is concerned – what He approves and what He disapproves. The simplest and most reasonable conclusion is that non-alcoholic references go in the “approves” column. Therefore, the references that are alcoholic belong in the “disapproves” column. Closer examination of the respective passages shows this to be the case. In addition to some occasions of the word “wine,” every occurrence of “strong drink” is condemned in Scripture. Due to limited space, we concentrate herein on biblical references in the New Testament. That is appropriate since the New Testament alone is the covenant of God by which everyone now living is bound (Romans 7:6-7; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians …

Drinking Strong Drink Commanded?

Frequently those of us who preach the Gospel come across some strange concepts as we find those who attempt to justify some practice they want to uphold, whether in unscriptural marriage relationships, social life or other things. We have heard our share of them over the years, but one of the most interesting ones took place in a congregation in which I was preaching some time ago. There was a man attending, though not a member of that congregation, who had invented a new alcoholic beverage that was supposed to be superior to the run of the mill stuff. I never did discover whether the superiority was in the fact that it would make a man a raving maniac more quickly, make him a pauper more easily or exactly what. However, since he graced us with his presence with reasonable regularity on Sunday mornings, I felt that I should try to discover his justification for making, selling and drinking a deadly brew that dethrones reason, destroys homes, perverts justice, leads to murder and various other crimes, and probably has done more damage throughout the history of man than all other drugs combined. His arguments went along the usual lines at first. Christ made wine and Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach’s sake. So that is supposed to justify almost any kind of drinking. Then he climaxed it with his “block buster”! God not only authorized and condoned the drinking of strong drink, he commanded it! …

Give Strong Drink

Dear bro Rushmore, Please explain Pro 31:6,7. Pro 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Pro 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Thank you and God bless, Jimmy Lau Clearly, honest persons readily recognize that the Bible uniformly condemns the consumption of alcohol as a beverage (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4; Habakkuk 2:15-16; 1 Corinthians 6:10; Galatians 5:21). The various Hebrew and Greek words translated “wine” derive their meaning and consequently their disapproval or approval based upon the respective contexts in which they appear; sometimes “wine” in the Bible refers to alcohol and sometimes it does not refer to alcohol, depending upon the context in which the word appears. Contexts in which “wine” and similar words refer to alcohol God through the Bible condemns those who partake. Nave’s Topical Bible correctly lists Proverbs 31:6-7 under a heading of “Wine, Medicinal use of.” For instance, where penicillin (or some other drug) has an appropriate medicinal application, that fact neither warrants nor justifies social indulgence in the same. Anciently, especially in the absence of modern medicine and its accompanying pharmaceuticals, alcohol was a drug sometimes used externally for disinfections and internally as a poor anesthesia, etc. Compare 1 Timothy 5:23 where it is uncertain whether the reference to “wine” means alcoholic or non-alcoholic (grape juice), but irrespectively, the “wine” under consideration was for medicinal purposes. Medicinal purposes hardly justify social drinking or override …

An Elephant in the Living Room

Imagine an ordinary living room–chairs, couch, coffee table, a TV set, and in the middle, a large, gray elephant! The elephant stands there, shifting from one foot to another and slowly swaying from side to side. Imagine also the people that live in this house, you along with your mother and father and maybe some sisters and brothers. People have to go through the living room many times a day, and you watch as they walk through it very carefully around the elephant. No one ever says anything about the elephant. Everyone avoids the swinging trunk and just walks around it. Since no one ever talks about the elephant, you know that you’re not supposed to talk about it either. And you don’t. But sometimes you wonder why nobody says anything or why no one does anything to move the elephant. After all, it’s a very big elephant, and it’s very hard to keep walking around it all the time, and people are getting very tired. You wonder if maybe there is something wrong with you, but you just keep wondering, keep walking around it, keep worrying and wishing there was somebody to talk to about the elephant. Living in a family where chemical dependence is a problem is a lot like living with an elephant in the living room. There was a large, gray elephant in our living room when I was growing up, and we all tried to ignore it. As an adult, I can talk about it; the elephant was …

Drinking Alcohol
for Pleasure

Please help me understand the issue of alcohol. You say drinking alcohol for pleasure is condemned in the old testament.  What about Deut. 14:26? Drink fermented drink?! or whatever your heart desires!  In the New Testament- what about 1Cor. 11:21 ? Alcoholic wine is being served at the Lord’s Table  not Welch’s grape juice. They are drunk!  I would appreciate an explanation of these scriptures. It appears you are putting absolutes where God has not. Thankyou. Helyn Van Huffel A series of articles relating to the pleasurable consumption of alcohol appear in the Archive of Gospel Gazette Online, one of which is entitled: “Beverage Alcohol, Biblical Considerations”  (https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2000/sep/page11.htm). Sufficient references to biblical passages where ‘drinking alcohol for pleasure’ is condemned are noted in both testaments of the Bible, along with definitions of original language words (Hebrew and Greek) for alcoholic consumption, plus biblical definitions of words like “drunkenness” to adequately portray the divine disapproval of the pleasurable consumption of alcohol. We are happy, though, to address attempts to find justification for ‘drinking alcohol for pleasure’ and getting ‘drunk’ from the following passages: Deuteronomy 14:26 and 1 Corinthians 11:21. Deuteronomy 14:26 “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” The Hebrew word “shekar” appears in Deuteronomy 14:26 for “strong drink.” It means, “an intoxicant, …

Summary Observations

Beverage Alcohol When all is said and done, Scripture is still explicitly plain that alcoholic beverages are disapproved of God regarding its pleasurable consumption by mankind. That there was an intoxicating wine in antiquity is not denied. The Bible and early secular writers however are clear in their denunciation of such wine. (W.D. Jeffcoat, The Bible and “Social” Drinking, c. 1987, p. 35.) These two following verses summarize the biblical teaching about the pleasurable consumption of alcohol. “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:31-32). “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!” (Habakkuk 2:15). Sober Rather than approving some degree of intoxication, the New Testament teaches sobriety. Christians are forbidden to surrender control of their faculties to drugs, inclusive of alcohol. “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8). “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). “But …

Advocacy for Alcohol Rebutted

Amusingly, some passionate proponents of alcoholic beverages audaciously assert that all references to “wine” in the Bible pertain to an intoxicating drink. Of course, irrespective of the political or social mood of America, the Bible is not in any real sense subject to contemporary interpretation. Unlike a dictionary, the meanings of biblical words are changeless and are not dependent upon current usage for their definitions. General Appeal to the Bible Starting in 1820 there was a growing movement to outlaw alcohol. Over the next 100 years, these ‘Drys’ as they were called, were to have a huge effect. In 1880, Kansas became the first dry state. Text books, and even literature, had the mention of wine and alcohol removed from them, nationwide. The Bible, with its many mentions of wine, was a problem, so a campaign was started to convince people that the wine of the Bible was nothing more than grape juice. (Stephen Reiss, Ph.D., C.W.E., “History of Wine,” Wine Education Site, https:// www.Wine Education.com/WineEducation/Text/history.html /. [17 Sep 1998]) To imagine that religious people would attempt, for whatever reason, to distort biblical information is to picture them at their worst. To suppose that generally religious people would heartily accept politically motivated distortion of biblical information is uncomplimentary toward religious people and our government. Such an accusation concurs nicely with efforts by even pious souls to champion beverage alcohol. However, in truth, it is utterly false that every reference to “wine” in the Bible refers to an alcoholic drink. It is true …

Alcohol in One’s Diet

Often unrecognized, alcohol consumption has serious ramifications on the dietary intake. “One ounce of pure alcohol contains about 163 calories (or about 105 calories in a 1 1/2 ounce glass of whiskey or gin), but itdoes not contain vitamins or other physically beneficial nutrients.” (Gail Gleason Milgram, Ed.D., “Facts On: The Effects of Alcohol,” Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 1997, https://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cas2/clearinghouse/factSheet/fact15.html. [14 Sep 1998])  The small amount of nutritive material in beer is more than offset by the alcohol content. Enough beer to furnish any significant amount of nutriment would contain enough alcohol to cause considerable damage to the body (W.D. Jeffcoat, The Bible and “Social” Drinking, p. 83). The United States Department of Agriculture says that 100 grams of “table wine” (12.2 percent alcohol by volume) has 85 calories while 100 grams of “dessert wine” (18.8 percent alcohol by volume) has 135 calories. (Anonymous, Physiologic Notes on Wine, https//sbwines.silcom.com/usenet_winefaq/physiologic.html [21 Sep 1998]) Not only does alcohol not contribute to a healthy diet, the substitution of alcohol for any portion of one’s ordinary food intake creates a substantial health risk. Alcohol Induced Malnutrition AB’s [alcoholic beverages] contribute to malnutrition by replacing foods needed for essential nutrients and by interfering with absorption, storage or metabolism of the essential nutrients. Ethanol may suppress appetite and consumption of food. (Dr. Sidney Cohen, “Alcoholic Beverages and Alcohol Abuse,” Environmed Research Inc., https://www.nutramed.com/ alcohol/alcohol.htm. [14 Sep 1998]) These risks include rapid water loss, electrolyte depletion, vitamin deficiency and toxicity to digestive organs. There is rapid water loss (diuresis) within the first several …

Alcoholism

“We are now producing alcoholics at the staggering rate of about 1,500 every day . . .” (Garland Elkins and Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Social Drinking: Unjustified, Unsocial, Unwise, Unscriptural, Memphis, Getwell Church of Christ, p. 2.) Alcoholism affects both men and women, though women who drink are more susceptible to alcoholism than the male population that drinks. “The process of becoming an alcoholic is of shorter duration” for women. (Edith S. Lisansky Gomberg, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Alcohol Research Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her statement appears in an internet article hosted by the Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 1996, https://www. rci.rutgers.edu/~cas2/clearinghouse/factSheet/fact20.html. [15 Sep 1998]) Alcoholism can begin as a subtle shift from social drinking to a dependence on alcohol. Often the alcoholic is unaware of his dependency or later when rationally one could not refute his alcoholism he adamantly denies the obvious. Alcoholism may also go unnoticed by one’s friends at first. Some elderly alcoholics have successfully masked their addictions until their later years, at which time the effects of alcoholism may be confused with the onset of old age. Warning Signs Alcohol affects various individuals differently. One cannot know when he begins to practice social drinking that his body is especially susceptible to addiction to alcohol. The best way to avoid alcoholism is not to start drinking alcoholic beverages. Warning signs of alcoholism include the following. Frequent and constant use of any type of alcohol can lead to physical …

Intoxication

Proponents of social drinking often claim that alcohol in moderation is harmless. Even Christians sometimes claim that the Bible condemns drunkenness — not drinking alcohol. Other Christians who recognize that Scripture prohibits the pleasurable consumption of alcohol sometimes characterize even a single drink of alcohol as being “one drink drunk!” Of course, proponents of alcohol scoff at such a summary statement regarding even meager amounts of beverage alcohol. However, just how much alcohol must one drink before intoxication occurs? How does intoxication occur? Defined When someone drinks an alcoholic beverage it flows into the stomach. While it is in the stomach, the drinker does not feel the effects of the alcohol, but alcohol does not remain in the stomach very long. Some of it is absorbed through the stomach walls into the bloodstream, but most alcohol passes into the small intestine and then into the bloodstream, and this circulates throughout the body. Once alcohol is in the bloodstream it reaches the brain and the drinker begins to feel its effects. (Gail Gleason Milgram, Ed.D., “Facts On: The Effects of Alcohol,” Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers, The State University  of New Jersey 1997, https://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cas2/clearinghouse/factsheet/fact15.html. [14 Sep 1988]) Irrespective of the variables between persons who consume alcohol, the process that results in intoxication is the same for everyone. Irrespective of the amount of alcohol one drinks, the body processes alcohol in the same way. However, the discernible effect of alcohol can be mitigated by a number of factors, including the size and weight of a drinker, how …

Fermentation Versus Distillation

Fermentation is a natural process through which alcohol is generated. Fermentation of grape juice into an alcoholic beverage requires the right conditions, which if not present, the liquid will prove unsuitable as a beverage. “The process of fermentation occurs only in the presence of certain conditions such as a moderate temperature, moisture and air in the grape juice.” (Samuele Bacchiocchi, “The Preservation of Grape Juice,” Wine in the Bible: A Biblical Study on the Use of Alcoholic Beverages, https://www2. andrews.edu/~samuele/books/wine_in_the_bible/3.html [21 Sep 1998]) Distillation is an artificial manufacturing process whereby a greater concentration of alcohol than possible through fermentation is produced. Fermentation occurs when: The grapes are lightly pressed to release their juice, which is then transferred to the fermentation vats. As the juice converts to a solution of alcohol and water, carbon dioxide is released and, in the case of red wine, tannin and color are absorbed from the grape skins by the fermenting juice. Fermentation continues until all sugar in the juice has been converted to alcohol. (Anonymous, “Wine,” Encarta Concise Encyclopedia, Microsoft Corporation, 1998, https://encarta.msn.com/index/ concise/ 0VOL33/0634d000.asp. [15 Sep 1998]) Alcohol is produced during a natural process called fermentation, which occurs when yeast, a microscopic plant that floats freely in the air, reacts with the sugar in fruit or vegetable juice, creating alcohol and releasing carbon dioxide. The process stops naturally when about 11% to 14% of the juice is alcohol; the product of this fermentation is wine. A similar process is used to make beer. Distillation is the process used to make beverages with a …