Alcohol and the single life (part 1)
May 14, 2011Dan No Comments »So two things have been giving me trouble in my pursuit of Jesus Christ lately.
Many who know me, both Christian and otherwise, know that I do enjoy to head out to the bar and casually drink a few beers over good conversation. Something about the KBC atmosphere – I enjoy sipping some of their deliciously crafted home brews around the fireplace. Bag of peanuts in the center of the table, good friends all around. It’s darn close to perfect. Or sitting out on the deck of the Down Towner lounge, overlooking the Portage Canal, on a warm summer night. Gary Tunstall playing everyone’s favorite songs on guitar and a great seasonal beer on tap.
More recently, through some friends of mine and through a bit of personal experience I’ve seen a bit of the darker side of alcohol consumption, and alcoholism. Alcohol produces a pretty serious rift in the Christian community. Many churches have taken a stance against all alcohol. The Christian house I live in expressly forbids it. I don’t think the bible teaches abstinence as the only biblical approach to alcohol, though it does have a bit to say on the subject. It clearly outlines drunkenness and debauchery as sinful and especially warns church leaders against it. I’m personally fond of Psalm 104 verses 14-15:
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
Here, wine (presumably alcoholic) is a blessing from God himself. And we are to enjoy it and use it to bring further glory and honor to God, like every other blessing in our lives. I think this demonstrates that alcohol consumption is permissible and even a good thing as long as it is in the proper context.
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