Why do Evangelicals think drinking is a sin?

Question

In spite of the fact that Jesus drank (and don't give me that "grape juice" baloney) and not only turned water into wine, but encouraged other people to drink?
And don't tell me it's to avoid leading others astray, since that only applies if you are hanging out with recovering alcoholics.

Answer 1

Just a few points [to be up front -- my view is moderate... I think we specifically free to drink, but we must be responsible with our freedom]:

* The wine did have alcohol content at the time (because it helped preserve the drink against decay) but not nearly as much as today's alcohol, which is highly refined. (One quote I heard was that it was 1/20th the content of todays', but I did not get a source on that... it was in conversation.)

* Drinking in excess leads to removed inhibitations, which makes it more likely you'll do something wrong/stupid. So one has to moderate.

* The "high" of inebriation is often used by people to avoid responsibility or escape from the problems in their lives... so that's not too hot either. Alcohol should be something to enjoy, but not a false solution to one's personal problems.

* Some of my fellow Christians were alcoholics or grew up in alcoholic families (to be blunt: I grew up in such a family, and, well... it wasn't fun). To be sensitive to them and love them, I need to abstain if they would have a lot of trouble with me drinking.

* Likewise, for some Christians, alcohol is fine and they drink "to the Lord" simply as something else in this life that tastes good and is enjoyable. For other Christians, they abstain from drinking for the same reasons -- "for God." We need to respect both viewpoints, which can sometimes be strongly held convinctions.

* Finally, I am called to love other people. I must be willing to restrain myself and not drink in a situation where I think it will cause detrimental things to happen to a brother/sister. I don't *need* to drink. It is simply an option I can enjoy. But I shouldn't place that freedom ahead of the welfare of another person. Likewise, they are called to love me and should be willing to "back off" rather than attacking me in harmful way if I do decide to drink.

People need to (1) make sure they drink in moderation, and not as a solution to life's problems, and (2) make sure they are sensitive to those around them in how they practice their freedom.

To answer your question verbatim -- I'm not sure why they consider it to be a sin. Because I don't think scripture teaches that.

While there were many warnings about how one should not get drunk (and why), wine was traditionally a sign of plenty and God's blessing in that culture and thus acceptable to drink. It was positive in the right context.

I think they're just stuck at a place in which they have either been hurt by alcohol in the past, or they've associated drinking with the lack of inhibition that permeates sexuality and violence in the culture, or they are taking too much pride in a physical form of "holiness" based around restricting pleasurable things.

I really don't know, because I don't think their position is accurate.

Answer 2

Actually the Scriptures Evangelicals use is that you should not drink wherein is excess. In other words don't be a drunk. Prov. 20:1 says, wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

So drinking is sinful if it leades to immorality. Hey forget the evangelicals, what about the cops that pull you over for having an alcohol level too high. No designated driver. Hypocritical officers of the law. How dare they try to stop us from drinking and driving and so what if we run off of the road and kill innocent people. We are not even charged as murderers. It was an accident.

Drinking is sinful if you are out of control, drink to get drunk, drink and drive, etc.. and you don't need Jesus, a preacher, or a cop to tell you this. Ask the the athiest and christian families alike who lost loved ones because of idiots behind the wheel. Ask the child who lost his parents because of liver diseases.

Get off of evangelicals and spread the word that drinking irresponsibly kills. If they call it sin, and it stops a fool from getting behind the wheel of a car, that may have saved your life.

Answer 3

I wouldn't say they think drinking is a sin. The Bible says getting drunk is a sin. Jesus drank, (it was the most common drink of that day) but he never got drunk. The reason evangelicals look down on drinking is for the reasons people use it for--to get drunk, which again is a sin. The best way to avoid getting drunk is to stay away from alcohol, if getting drunk is a habit. Like if you tend to binge on sweets all the time, you may keep sweets out of the house so that you are not tempted to eat them all of the time.

Answer 4

Read
http://www.christianity.ca/faith/theology/2006/03.000.html

Answer 5

Not all do but most for certain do. Many believe out of ignorance and many believe because their teachers believed and others they accept as teachers believed that way and they therefore carry on the belief. You are correct in your understanding that Christ did partake in fermented (alcoholic) drink but also realize that John the Baptist was specifically, from before his birth, prohibited from touching alcoholic drink. Most likely this is where Evangelicals get their prohibition from touching any drink but when they apply the requirements that was given to John the Baptist to Jesus then they are mistaken. Don't feel bad I was barred from Teaching in Sunday School at a Baptist church for saying just what I said here. That said remember though that Christ never taught to drink in excess but basically that drink in and of itself was not sinful or destructive to the individual however in excess it does alter a persons judgment and anger.

Answer 6

I find it fascinating that these people are saying "alcoholism" is a sin.

If alcoholism is a sin, then so is Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer.

Alcoholism is a disease.

The effects of alcoholism causes some behavior that is 'sinful', but alcoholism, in itself, is not a sin.

I do, however, find it funny that God would have 'invented' the wine that Jesus and his buddies drank, which would later turn into the epidemic we know now as alcoholism.

Way to go, Jesus.

Answer 7

I am an Evangelical and I have never heard that "drinking is a sin". Who told you that?

There are a variety of reasons why overindulging in alcohol would be bad for you. It's physically damaging, it makes you do foolish things, it sucks up your hard earned money, etc., etc..

There are several scriptures that address overindulgence, but none that I know of the unequivocally state that the simple use of alcohol is a sin.

Answer 8

The Evangelicals are trying to have people keep their distance from something that has been proven to be an overwhelming temptation that reeks havoc in peoples lives.

It is done in love and the theory is if you are not an alcoholic it shoud be easy to stay away and if you are you need to stay away so lets all not face the temptation as a community holding each other up.

Answer 9

Some people attend a church that teaches the "holiness" tradition. Like all of the other man made traditions it is based upon precepts found in the Bible but men have added to God's word from their own human understanding or have taken a personal conviction and sought to apply it to all other believers.

Answer 10

Drinking is just fine when done in moderation. But heavy drinking is a destructive habit that cannot easily be broken. Many people don't know how to moderate their drinking. So many Evangelicals try to steer people away from alcohol so they will not fall into that habit.