Does the Bible support alcohol consumption?

Jesus drank.

This is a point you’ll commonly hear people make in support of alcohol. 

The question is, are they right?

Yup.

Jesus and Drinking

John 2v1-12 tells the story of Jesus attending a wedding. The wine ran out during the party, so Jesus’ mother came to Him to do something about it. Jesus then has six jugs filled with water that He promptly turns to wine, much to the delight of the partygoers. 

“But wait,” you might say, “that doesn’t prove Jesus drank, it just proves that He made wine.”

Fair enough.

To that, I would say read the story of the Passover in Matthew 26v26-30; Mark 14v22-25; and Luke 22v14-23. 

This story sees the introduction of a practice present in virtually all Christian traditions… the Lord’s Supper. It symbolizes Christ’s body in broken bread and His blood poured from a cup.

And what was in that cup you might ask?

That would be wine- the usual drink of these Passover meals.

The example of Jesus both creating wine and drinking it is all we need to know that the Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol.

But this doesn’t mean alcohol consumption is without limit because the Bible has something to say about that, too.

The Bible and Getting Drunk

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20v1)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5v18)

While the Bible has no qualms about drinking it does warn against getting drunk.

Why?

Looking past the obvious health and safety concerns, there is also a spiritual element at play.

Drunkenness impairs judgment, causing one to lose self-control and, thus, granting more power to the part of our nature opposed to Jesus (see Galatians 5v16-26).

The influence of drunkenness is incompatible with the influence of the Holy Spirit. One is an escape from the weight of reality; the other is the only true answer.

I want to make something clear, however…

There are many kind, wonderful people who are haunted by alcohol addiction and drunkenness. If that’s you, please know that you're no less human than the rest of us.

We all have our vices, and the hope of Jesus brings deliverance from those vices.

Jesus Himself was accused of being “a glutton and a drunkard” because He spent so much time with people in vulnerable positions (Matthew 11v19). 

One of the most beautiful things we learn about Jesus is that what we see as our worst and most unlovable qualities don't necessarily keep Him away. He sees these things in all their nastiness but still comes close.

Why? Because Jesus didn’t come to flaunt His perfection and throw around shame and guilt. He came to use that very perfection to see, heal, and love all those who struggle.

There is hope.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter