What are your thoughts on drunkenness?

[Joshua1Eight]

We know Jesus drank wine. But did he get drunk?
But what about Christians getting drunk?
Is it a sin?
Is it not a sin?
What do you think?

 

[Josiah]

I was drunk ONCE. I was really just a kid. ONCE is all it took. I've NEVER let that happen again.

Is it a sin? IMO, probably. Is it STUPID? Yessiree.



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[tango]

We know Jesus drank wine. But did he get drunk?
But what about Christians getting drunk?
Is it a sin?
Is it not a sin?
What do you think?

This seems like the kind of thing that needs to be considered as something other than a matter of strict law. The trouble with trying to apply a strict law to this is that you end up with all sorts of issues with definitions, not least how to define what it means to be drunk.

Obviously in secular society there are certain things that don't go well with drinking - for most of us that means driving but could also mean flying, operating machinery, performing surgery etc. I'm not concerned with those here - if you're subject to specific laws that restrict drinking and define limits those apply.

In Eph 5:18 Paul says not to be drunk with wine because it leads to debauchery. And drinking too much certainly can lead to all sorts of behaviors that aren't appropriate for a Christian. That said, a lot of the time what is happening is that alcohol is merely lowering inhibitions and intoxicated people are more likely to do the things they wanted to do anyway, in which case perhaps the problem is as much about the underlying desires as the alcohol revealing them.

I don't see a problem with drinking alcohol in moderation. I would regard anything that permits someone to continue to do the things they need to do as falling within "moderation". So, for example, if I go out to my favorite brewpub with my wife and have a few beers, I see no problem with that. If my head feels a bit fuzzy I still see no problem, as long as I'm not driving home. If I start throwing up, or acting inappropriately towards the waitresses or other customers, there's a problem (this is where it's easier to argue someone is "drunk" rather than using other terms such as "fuzzy" or "tipsy" etc). If I have to be carried out to the car, there's a problem. If I'm at the brewpub every single night getting slightly fuzzy there's probably a case to be made about good stewardship of my body (based on the medical complications of sustained drinking) and my resources (based on there being better things to do with time and money than spending so much of it at the pub).

If others consider that even feeling a little fuzzy is inappropriate they are free to stop drinking before they reach that point, or indeed to not drink alcohol at all.

 

[Andrew]

I read in one of the wisdom books that drunkenness leads to carelessness, poverty and raggedy wardrobe and would basically make you a foolish beggar

 

[Josiah]

I don't see a problem with drinking alcohol in moderation.

While the Bible warns of drunkenness, it seems to praise wine. Even "good for the tummy." And don't forget, God MANDATED the passover meal - and it included cups of wine.

It's that "M" word again.... moderation. Booze is an ADULT activity, and ADULT drink because it requires maturity, responsibility, wisdom. It's not that it particularly is harmful to kids (kids drank wine or beer for thousands of years) it's that they aren't too wise about that "moderation" and "responsible" issue.

My parents are wine folks. They love wine. My Dad has a wine collection, kept in a wine cellar. They like to visit wineries and participate in wine tastings. And wine is a part of every fine meal and not infrequently, even every-day dinner (even a picnic). But I've never seen them drunk.


Now, here's MY story. When I was maybe 12 or 13 and NOT as grown up as I thought..... and what makes it REALLY embassing (I admit to this day.... I really never did forgive myself for this).... it was Thanksgiving. My grandparents from Wisconsin were with us. BIG meal. Very fancy meal with all the parts. And several bottles and very fine wine on the table. Traditionally, Dad would pour a tiny bit in a glass for us kids - just to taste (I liked the whites, not the reds) but in time, we could help yourselves at the table. This was likely MY first Thanksgiving with the ADULT privelage that I had NOT earned. Welll..... I helped myself to this WONDERFUL White - soft, light, refreshing - and a little kid (I appeared even younger than I was)... well, suddenly, I was DRUNK. I remember feeling like I was spinning.... realizing I needed to not talk! And probably not try to walk! And realizing I was being (secretely) laughed at by people I loved and admired. And Mom eventfully took me to bed (long before bedtime) and waking up with one ____ of a headache. My parents and grandparents said NOT A WORD but I knew they knew. (My older sister and brother sure let me have it - although I didn't need their correction, my head was doing the job). I've never been drunk since. I enjoy a good wine... or a fine Scotch.... but I know the importance of maturity, responsibility, moderation.




.

 

[NathanH83]

Wine is yum yum.
Good for tum tum.
Drunk is dumb dumb.

 

[tango]

I read in one of the wisdom books that drunkenness leads to carelessness, poverty and raggedy wardrobe and would basically make you a foolish beggar

It certainly can do that, and does in many cases. Just not all cases. In my pre-Christian days there were times I got so drunk I couldn't even stand up but it hasn't guided me to the dire consequences that it has for some. A guy I knew from my previous church was a former alcoholic and he sold many things he desperately wishes he could have back because he wanted to drink and needed money to pay for it.