Recently a friend made the humorous comment that it seems whenever a new plant was discovered, humankinds first test on it was to see if its any good for producing alcohol!
Unfortunately, fixation on alcohol is a very real problem for many. As Christians we all agree that we should not consume excessive alcohol, but some go to the extreme of saying that the Bible prohibits completely the use of any alcohol. Together, I would like us to look closely at what the Bible really says on this very controversial subject.
According to an article in Christianity Today1 the Moody Bible Institute recently relaxed a rule for its employees. Full-time employees of MBI are no longer required to totally abstain from tobacco and alcohol. A spokesperson from Moody writes that the change in rules came out of a desire in Moodys leadership to reflect a high-trust environment that emphasizes values, not rules, and that the Institute wants to require no more and no less than what Gods Word requires.
Old Testament Instruction
Wine translated from the Hebrew word yayin is used over 130 times in the Old Testament.
One of the first times it is mentioned is in Genesis 14:18 where Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine for Abram and his companions. The Bible reveals that this same beverage, when used excessively, causes drunkenness. Genesis 9:21 says that Noah drank too much yayin and became drunk.
Dear Alcohol, we had a deal- you were going to make me funnier, sexier, more intelligent and a better dancer. I saw the video, we need to talk. Anonymous
Nevertheless, in Deuteronomy 14:26 God told his people to enjoy yayin at the yearly festivals. In addition to using wine as a beverage, God also commanded the Levitical priests to include in the sacrifices a portion of wine (yayin) as a drink offering (Exodus 29:40). These scriptures make it clear that there can be a right and a wrong use of wine.
Naturally fermented wine has an alcohol content of about 10 to14 percent (higher alcoholic wines are fortified wines). On special occasions God even allowed use of what is translated as strong drink. This term comes from a different Hebrew word shekar which is used 22 times in the Old Testament, and refers to alcoholic drinks made from dates and other fruit.
The high alcoholic drinks called hard liquor today (40 percent to 50 percent alcohol) did not exist in Bible times. They are produced by concentrating the alcohol content through the process of distillation. They did not come into widespread use until the Middle Ages. The danger of these high alcoholic drinks is that, unless one dilutes them, they more easily lend themselves to abuse, drunkenness and alcoholism.
New Testament instruction
John the Baptist did not drink wine (oinos in the Greek) or any other form of alcohol because it was prophesied that he wouldnt (Luke 1:15).
However, Jesus Christ did drink oinos (wine) (Matthew 11:18, Luke 7:34). Jesus did not preach against the use of wine; instead he did like most other Jews of his day. He drank wine in moderation. In ancient times it was normally diluted with water for drinking, and was one of the principal beverages at that time as it is today.
Jesus first miracle was to change water into wine (oinos).
Its a great advantage not to drink among hard drinking people. F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Some people who preach total abstinence claim that this miracle was to turn water into grape juice. Can you imagine a Jewish wedding banquet where everyone drank only grape juice? On this occasion, Christ turned six jars of 20 or 30 gallons each into wine (oinos). Jewish weddings in biblical times involved up to a week of feasting. The ancients did not have refrigeration or any other method of preventing grape juice from fermenting, so even if it had started out as just grape juice, the natural fermentation process would have taken place, resulting in wine. But this was no small grape juice miracle. The wine Jesus miraculously created was of the finest quality You have saved the best till now (John 2:10). At wedding feasts, the hosts normally started with the best wine, and they would bring out lesser-quality wines later when the good wine had had an effect on the partiers, and they would be less likely to know the difference.
Jesus also gave a parable involving the fermenting process of oinos in Matthew 9:17. At that time, instead of having glass bottles to enclose wine, the skins of animals were used. The fermentation of the wine releases carbon dioxide (a gas) which would build up pressure and could burst an old skin, but it would not break a new stretchable skin.
Another proof that oinos is fermented wine is the fact that the apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, Do not get drunk on wine [oinos]. Paul did not mean to avoid getting drunk on grape juice! Paul instructed Timothy, Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine [oinos] because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). He said to use only a little wine, not a lot. The purpose of this wine was Timothys frequent stomach ailments; small amounts of wine have been known to help some stomach problems.
The Bible warns against and prohibits excessive use
Both the Old and New Testaments contain many examples and commands against excessive use of alcohol and drunkenness. Drunkenness is listed as one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:21). That means it is the result of the undisciplined and indiscriminate use of alcohol. Jesus warned his followers not to be drunk (Luke 21:34).
Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. G.K. Chesterton, Heretics
No one who abuses alcohol should be ordained in the ministry of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 3:3,8 Titus 1:7). If a minister drinks, it should be in moderation.
Throughout the Bible, God criticizes those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks (Isaiah 5:22). When used improperly, wine is a mocker and deceiver (Proverbs 20:1). Those who linger over wine and spend a great deal of time in drinking will find all kinds of woe, sorrow and trouble (Proverbs 23:29-30).
Bible allows moderate use
Prohibitionists focus on the verses that condemn or show the results of wrong alcohol use, but neglect those verses that show there can be a proper moderate use. The Bible says that God gave wine to make men glad (Psalm 104:15). Unfortunately some people have turned this blessing of God into a curse, yet to say that no one should ever do it would be to say something different than what Scripture is saying.
So then, is the Devil found in the bottom of a bottle? Possibly, but if you dont finish the bottle in one sitting, he will probably leave before you get there!
1. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/december/why-so-many-christians-are-relaxing-over-drinks.html?start=1
Some people however, have serious problems with alcohol, and need professional assistance. A most trustworthy source of help is Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aasouthafrica.org.za.