Alcohol: Is it a sin or not? - Page 2

dws391 · 02-28-2007, 02:47 PM

I don't think you will find anywhere is scripture where it says having a drink is a sin....You will however find numerous scriptures that condemn and warn against drunkedness.
I also think Paul's words are wise (paraphrasing) all things are lawful for me but not all things are expedient. To many believers and non-believers drinking is sinful so if I drink what does that do for my witness and their walk?

Bassmasa · 02-28-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

I don't have a problem with drink. But some of my brothers do and so I don't do it. One shouldn't place before a brother or sister a stumbling block. Paul mentions this in relationship to food offered to idols. One shouldn't eat ice cream and cake in front of a diabetic. That's just as wrong as sucking down a beer in front of an alcoholic.

I agree with Theophilus that alcohol is an issue Paul addressed. Moderate consumption (I think we all agree that drunkenness is a sin without question), is not a matter of salvation and is debatable among believers. Personally, I have no problem with a beer every now and then, but never more than two for me. My guage on such issues is whether I would be comfortable standing in front of our church's congregation and stating my beliefs. In this case, I would have no problem telling others that I have a drink now and then.

A parallel example for me might be the Miss American pageant. For most people, watching it is fine. For me, I can't watch it as lust will fill my heart immediately. Therefore, for me, watching it would be a sin as I'm under conviction from God. My wife has no problem, so it's fine for her. However, if I'm around, she will switch it off out of respect for me.

Similarly, as Paul instructs us, I will not drink in front of those who I know are weak to giving in to drunkenness or other believers who are uncomfortable with alcohol. My wife's family is completely 100% anti-alcohol and I'll never drink in front of them. Do I hide the beer in my fridge if they come over? No, but I don't partake while they're around out of respect for their beliefs.

Like money, alcohol is amoral. Not immoral, but of no intrinsic moral value either good or bad. The love of money can dominate a man's life and we are told the love of money is the root of all evil. However, using money responsibly can be a powerful witness. I think alcohol is similar. It's not intrinsically good or bad, but the love (or abuse) of alcohol can be devistating.

Banarenth · 02-28-2007, 06:17 PM

Listening to a discussion on the radio made me think of this topic. There is a church a few miles down the road from me, that is offering a weekend ministry where they offer beer in an informal "service" to attract people that would normally avoid church.

I kinda have mixed feelings on this. My first thought is that I don't like it, I know that I wouldn't attend a service like that because I stay away from alcohol. But really, I kinda wonder if there really is anything "wrong" with it either. Assuming they have some control over how much they give out and stuff. It seem inappropriate, but it is really THAT different than drinking wine in Biblical days? When did it become un-Christian to drink at all?

I know the major complaints would be offering it in the sanctuary, but this is a "side mission", in the gym or something like that. Just made me think a bit, and thought it was worth discussion.

epistemaniac · 02-28-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Struick

Lately first time posters come up with the usual controversial questions.

Anyhow, here's my take on it: getting drunk is a sin.

Its that simple and it's right there in the Bible.
Any Christan would know and understand, specially if one has been a Christian since 1980. :-)

Drinking some wine is not a problem. Jesus made wine himself as anyone knows and has been pointed out by the previous poster.

Btw, Clueless, your profile said you accepted Christ on the first of January 1980, you were baptised the first of January 1980, and you were born in 1986.

isn't the place for first time posters (any kind of poster) to ask controversial questions? If not... where?

blessings,
Ken

Clueless · 03-01-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Gary

This has been going on for years, not only here, but in many sector forums. Persons who post one time and sit back to watch the discussions, many times are searching for JUSTIFICATION to continue a lifestyle that they themselves question. They find a trend in the answers that are posted and use that as their guide RATHER than praying directly to Our Father about their situation and following His advice by way of His guidance.

However, God may possibly be using us all as a tool for these one time posters to disseminate information, so who are we to question His way of reaching these persons?

Not so here...I was really wondering what the Bible has to say about alcohol consumption.

mustardseed · 03-01-2007, 03:23 AM

Personally I agree with what most everyone said, alcohol is not a sin, nor is drinking but we should not get drunk.

Also it is important to consider the effect of drinking on our witnesss as a Christian, am I causing someone to stumble by doing this? If you are, then you should not drink in public.

steveh53 · 03-08-2007, 11:19 PM

I choose not to drink because it is a waste of time and money, but I do not believe that a couple of drinks are a sin. The sin is overindulgence in anything. That is why I have to laugh when I hear someone who obviously consumes large quantities of unhealthy food, putting down someone who tips a few too many.

Struick · 03-08-2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveh53

I choose not to drink because it is a waste of time and money, but I do not believe that a couple of drinks are a sin. The sin is overindulgence in anything. That is why I have to laugh when I hear someone who obviously consumes large quantities of unhealthy food, putting down someone who tips a few too many.

Looking around on sunday morning I see a lot of overweight people.........

Clueless · 03-09-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Struick

Looking around on sunday morning I see a lot of overweight people.........

lol...now that's funny.

Struick · 03-09-2007, 04:03 PM

They'r drunk with fast food.....

03-01-2007, 03:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
mustardseed Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Asia Posts: 397 Rep Power: 3	Personally I agree with what most everyone said, alcohol is not a sin, nor is drinking but we should not get drunk. Also it is important to consider the effect of drinking on our witnesss as a Christian, am I causing someone to stumble by doing this? If you are, then you should not drink in public. __________________ God grades on the cross, not the curve.

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02-28-2007, 02:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
dws391 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WV Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	I don't think you will find anywhere is scripture where it says having a drink is a sin....You will however find numerous scriptures that condemn and warn against drunkedness. I also think Paul's words are wise (paraphrasing) all things are lawful for me but not all things are expedient. To many believers and non-believers drinking is sinful so if I drink what does that do for my witness and their walk?

02-28-2007, 06:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Banarenth Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 2,832 Blog Entries: 4 Rep Power: 4	Listening to a discussion on the radio made me think of this topic. There is a church a few miles down the road from me, that is offering a weekend ministry where they offer beer in an informal "service" to attract people that would normally avoid church. I kinda have mixed feelings on this. My first thought is that I don't like it, I know that I wouldn't attend a service like that because I stay away from alcohol. But really, I kinda wonder if there really is anything "wrong" with it either. Assuming they have some control over how much they give out and stuff. It seem inappropriate, but it is really THAT different than drinking wine in Biblical days? When did it become un-Christian to drink at all? I know the major complaints would be offering it in the sanctuary, but this is a "side mission", in the gym or something like that. Just made me think a bit, and thought it was worth discussion.

03-08-2007, 11:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
steveh53 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 93 Rep Power: 2	I choose not to drink because it is a waste of time and money, but I do not believe that a couple of drinks are a sin. The sin is overindulgence in anything. That is why I have to laugh when I hear someone who obviously consumes large quantities of unhealthy food, putting down someone who tips a few too many.

03-09-2007, 04:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
Struick Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central British Columbia Posts: 200 Rep Power: 2	They'r drunk with fast food.....