For Christians who condemn others for drinking alcohol, why is this so?

Question

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Does it bother you that the first miracle Jesus performed was turning about 150 gallons of water into wine at a Jewish wedding party – even late into the party, when people had already been freely drinking alcohol?
(John 2:6-10)

And what about Paul ENCOURAGING Timothy to drink some wine?
(1 Timothy 5:23)
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Of course it is written:
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”
(Ephesians 5:18)

…so you need not quote this verse in response to my question.

But why do you condemn ALL drinking as sinful, wrong, and evil?

Are you not “adding” to the law…just like those former hypocritical blind guides, fools, white-washed tombs, serpents, and brood of vipers that Jesus condemned with woes?!?
(Matthew 23:13-33)

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Yes, about 150 gallons, as it is written:
John 2:6-10:
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

But, a Jewish party was huge...and could go on for days, as I understand it.

But still...yeah...that's a LOT of wine Jesus made!!!

Answer 1

Actually, any Christian who condemns any person for anything doesn't truly know God. Any person who claims to be a true Christian, knows that they have been forgiven by God, and have no right to judge or condemn another person for anything they have ever done - no matter how bad. However, in answer to your question - I personally choose not to consume alcohol as a Christian, and here's why it is right for me to abstain from it: it's a character issue, and a heart issue. Let me explain. In Jesus' day, they kinda HAD to drink wine. In ancient Israel, they did not have the clean beverage options that we have today. They didn't have refrigeration to keep things like milk, cold. They ate alot of foods that were not very easy on the stomach, and the alcohol in the wine they drank killed alot of the bacteria that made for very upset stomachs and caused disease. Back then, they basically had two options - water - and wine. Jesus did indeed drink wine. However, Jesus never gave into excess, or got drunk. Ever. In the 21st century, our non-alcoholic beverage selection is not only wide, but it's uncontaminated, and pure...at least here in the States where you and I both live. I can get by without having to drink alcohol to nourish my body properly. According to the bible, my body, as a Chrisitan, is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (I. Corin, 6:19) It's God's house, and it is no longer mine, and seeing it as such, I better be very careful as to what I put ON it, or In it. That brings me to my final point. Holiness is a heart condition. It is NOT an outward appearance. It has to do with your character and your heart. For example, I grew up Catholic, and watched, as alot of so-called "holy men" - Catholic priests, would drink themselves under the table on Saturday night, and then preach to us how to live on Sunday morning. How hypocritical can you get!! For me, I want to live a life that is not only pure before God - by not putting anything In or On His house(my body) that would be unpleasing to Him (because I love Him so much, and want Him to be happy with me - NOT because I feel like I'm "breaking a law") - Nor doing anything so hypocritical as to allow a substance like alcohol make a fool out of me, as for others to say "why on earth would I want to be a Christian like HER!?" and bring shame to the Name of Christ. (2 Tim 2:19)The bible says that wine is a mocker. (proverbs 20:1)It makes fools of those who use it...Hello!!!?? Is that not true??
In conclusion, your motive in using alcohol is what God is most concerned about. Are you more concerned about what you want, how you feel, and what is pleasing to you? Or are you more concerned about what God would be pleased with, what others watching you might think or believe because you are a Christian, and ultimately, what's in everyone's best interests. It's a decision only you can make. I encourage you to take this decision before God, and ask Him what He thinks.
Either way, blessings on you.

Answer 2

They probably view it that way because alcohol is a stumbling block to many, they may have personally experience it themselves and have a biased view that any drinking is bad. After 35 years of living with an alcoholic husband, my mom views it that way. My boyfriend and I do not reveal the fact that he likes to drink sometimes, she would fly off the handle and say he'll end up just like my dad. I don't share the feeling, even though I lived with my father as an alcoholic for 22 years and found him dead in the floor one night after consuming a massive amount of alcohol.

My pastor makes a good point. He himself does not drink because he is the leader of a congregation and for a person who has alcohol as a weakness to see him drinking might imply that drinking is acceptable behavior. It's called the weaker brother principle. I'm sure my pastor does not believe that drinking any alcohol at all is wrong, but he chooses not to do so anyway because seeing him drink might cause a weaker person to give into what could be a dangerous temptation to them.

I guess since it is such a common threat or tempting addiction to many people, some have the tendency to shun it altogether.

Answer 3

Can you drink in moderation? One or two and no more. Few people can. Drunkedness is a sin. One drink is not sinful, except if you are a pastor, teacher of the gospel, deacon and church representative. Some of us must set an example and not drink at all. By their drinking don't you see that it could make a baby Christian in the church stumble. If the pastor drinks then the whole church should be able to drink and not every person can drink one drink.

150 gallons - huh? I never heard that, but he did turn some water into wine at the wedding feast.

Answer 4

I'm Catholic and I have wine with my dinner and half a glass about 9:30 (makes me groggy) it's my routine.
Now drinking to get drunk is a whole other matter.
85% of people that drink often are not alcoholics because they do not have addictive personalities. However the other 15% can drink but can easily become alcoholics (drinking to excess) because they have an addictive personality.
It's a crap shoot. However drinking, drugs, gambling, sex, smoking, food can have the same affect on that 15%.
So don't drink & drive you might spill your drink.

Answer 5

Drinks are a blessing - getting drunk is the sin. Wine is very precious in the Bible, but if you read, it's supposed to be handled carefully. Anyways, I've never read about them getting drunk - just the drinking part. That's why it's only a small dip of wine during the Passover.

Answer 6

The references you gave you misunderstood. Jesus did turn water into wine yes, but it was the pure form of grape juice that man cannot make through the process that was available at the time.

The other reference that you gave about Timothy, they use to drink water for their ailments. After Jesus returned to Heaven, the medical cures that was related to miracle healing, such as water, start to fade out of use. Hence, when Tinothy was told to drink a little wine for his stomach, it was used as a medical pain relief for short periods of time.

The Bible says not to drink or give thy brother drink, resulting in drunkinness. The problem is that people start small and then cannot sontrol the habit and wind up drinking in excess, which is a sin.

Answer 7

Yes. I agree with you.

But also, you have to realize that sometimes there is a time not to drink wine because of a weaker brother (1. Cor 10:23-33)! Therefore, if you drink wine even though somebody told you that he thinks its a sin, you shouldn't do that in front of him/her!

Another thing, you shouldn't drink if that's leading you to addiction. Although it's not a sin, it can lead you to a sin of drunkenness. But, that's only if you know/think that you may become an alcoholic.

The same is with smoking. I don't think it's wrong to smoke one cigarette, but being addicted to smoking is wrong because one, you are addicted to something that's not Christ, and two it's not unhealthy for your body - you are killing yourself slowly.

Answer 8

Sorry, if you are looking for a pass, you won't find it...A glass of wine with your dinner is not wrong....but the reason most Christians don't drink at all, is because we might cause someone who cannot take just one glass to fall...so we just abstain all together....being a drunkard is what keeps you from Heaven,,,not drinking a glass of wine. Anything to excess,,,especially food..it makes you a glutton,,and that is sin....Moderation in all things, is what Jesus taught us.

Answer 9

Unfortunately there are some hard core Christians that do comdemn drinking. I personally don't condemn , But, I do try to talk ones out of it. It can lead to alcoholism very quick with no warning, Wine in the Bible days was not like the booze today. Looking at the broken homes, car wrecks, homicides, and robberies, due to booze, it isn't really hard ato understand why people feel this way. So many families are broke due to booze. Kids go hungry, bills don't get paid, abuse, and ruined health are due to booze when it isn't controlled. So there are reasons why they condemn it, DON'T YOU THINK??????

Answer 10

Most xians are muslims in disguise.

If it was up to fundies they'd have Prohibition reintroduced so that some of the hypocrites could make money from black-marketing.

WCFields: Never trust a man who doesn't drink.
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