How do Christians feel about alcohol?

Question

I know the bible does discuss alcohol a bit, but how do modern day Christians feel about alcohol?

Answer 1

Well, Christians in general will disagree on it. With that said, I as a Christian think it's ok so long as you don't get drunk. The Bible has strong warnings against getting drunk, but many people who were very strong in their faith had a glass of wine every now and then, including Jesus. In fact, his first miracle was changing the water to wine.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with using alcohol in moderation. Jesus drank wine, the real stuff too according to the story about the wedding at Cana and many other references. He didn't drink too much and neither should we.

St. Paul mentions the medicinal qualities of alcohol.

[1 Tim 5:23] Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Answer 3

There is no teaching on alcohol that spans all churches.

Many of the smaller protestant demonitations are either mistrustful or positively anti alcohol. This always seems a strange stance to me - Jesus' first miracle was making wine and wine forms a central part of the central rite (the mass).

On the other hand some of the best beer in the world is brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium. The names of many liqueures betray their monastic origins (Chartreuse, Benedictine) and a monk (Dom Perignon) is reputed to have developed Champagne.

When I was at school we had a visit from the Bishop of Lewis, at that time the position was held by a monk. I have never seen such an example of quiet unassuming piety. He told us that when asked whether he "drinks" his reply is always: "Drink! We invented the stuff!"

Answer 4

True Christians recognize the fact that Jesus turned the water into wine for the enjoyment of the wedding guests and in some cases alcohol when used in moderation can be beneficial as long as a person does not have the tendancy to be addicted or not be able to stop. Moderation is the key.

Answer 5

Some believe that any alcohol at all is sinful. But I believe that the Bible states not to be a drunkard. Meaning, drinking so much that you are drunk and leave yourself open to do things that are shameful and you wouldn't do if you weren't drunk. I am a Christian and I have a couple of drinks occasionally. I don't drink until I am falling down drunk. Just a couple for the taste that's it. I think it's alright just as long as you don't drink to get drunk.

Answer 6

I do not drink and I pray my sons do not. But this is due to family alcohol problems. I have also seen first hand the result of alcohol and driving.I work in long term care nursing.I will say that I am not stating it is a sin just something I do not care for or understand.

Answer 7

It depends on the religion. If you are going directly from the Bible though, I see no problem with alcohol. Jesus drank it; in fact he turned water into wine. He even said to drink a bit of wine to settle your stomach. It's when people become gluttonous and overdrink that it becomes a problem.

Answer 8

The same way we think about anything else, I suppose.

"6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they?
Respicite volatilia caeli quoniam non serunt neque metunt neque congregant in horrea et Pater vester caelestis pascit illa nonne vos magis pluris estis illis

6:27. And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
Quis autem vestrum cogitans potest adicere ad staturam suam cubitum unum

6:28. And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin.
Et de vestimento quid solliciti estis considerate lilia agri quomodo crescunt non laborant nec nent

6:29. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.
Dico autem vobis quoniam nec Salomon in omni gloria sua coopertus est sicut unum ex istis"

Answer 9

if you read the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels, it's ok.

Jesus' first miracle at Qana (as it is called now) was turning water to wine. also at the last supper.

In the Acts Peter was shown all known food and was commanded to eat. basically removing all restrictions on food.

St Paul, however, states the body is a Temple built by God. You shouldn't do anything to defile that temple.

Answer 10

Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine. There is nothing wrong with alcohol itself. As with many things, it can be abused. Jesus said nothing going in a person can defile them, it's what comes out of a person, from within.