Page 1 of 11 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 108

Thread: Is it OK for a Christian to drink socially?

  1. #1

    Is it OK for a Christian to drink socially?

    Is it OK for a Christian to drink alcoholic beverages socially? ... wine at dinner? ... beer at a club meeting? ... cocktail at the dinner party?

    I told a woman a few minutes ago, after picking up a discarded Bush beer can from the church property, ... it had been thrown out by someone driving by the church, ... "The last beer I drank was a large mug of Loewenbrau (the real German imported beer, not American made) in a restaurant at Myrtle Beach in July of 1971 !" I had been a Christian only about two months.

    Does drinking alcoholic beverages disqualify a man or woman from being a deacon in church?

    Does drinking alcoholic beverages disqualify a man or woman from serving as a pastor?

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Ashville, Alabama
    Posts
    5,920
    Thanked: 3402
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by Ari View Post
    Is it OK for a Christian to drink alcoholic beverages socially? ... wine at dinner? ... beer at a club meeting? ... cocktail at the dinner party?

    I would have to say I have had two experiences here..one where the Holy Spirit let me see the 'spirit' of the event and I did not drink because my conscience forbade me. Then I have had events such as the toast for promotions where there was no such convictions. I don't believe drinking is forbidden but that one should be sensitive to Holy Spirit and never indulge to the point one's soul is no longer under submission to the Spirit of God.

    I told a woman a few minutes ago, after picking up a discarded Bush beer can from the church property, ... it had been thrown out by someone driving by the church, ... "The last beer I drank was a large mug of Loewenbrau (the real German imported beer, not American made) in a restaurant at Myrtle Beach in July of 1971 !" I had been a Christian only about two months.

    Does drinking alcoholic beverages disqualify a man or woman from being a deacon in church

    I don't think scripture states that. It does state a very clear limitation though. Jesus was called a wine bibber by Pharisees.

    Does drinking alcoholic beverages disqualify a man or woman from serving as a pastor?
    Same as above..if it's not SIN it disqualifies no one from anything. But again scripture has some clear guidelines and if one is convicted or can't adhere to those guidelines they should not drink. It is sin to them.

  3. #3
    I prefer that Christians abstain from alcohol in any form. I don't think it glorifies God and alcohol causes many ruined lives. And now I will

    Where is Nikos when we need him?

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Ashville, Alabama
    Posts
    5,920
    Thanked: 3402
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by curly sue View Post
    I prefer that Christians abstain from alcohol in any form. I don't think it glorifies God and alcohol causes many ruined lives. And now I will

    Where is Nikos when we need him?
    I agree it can ruin lives and unless one adheres to the wisdom of scripture regarding drinking, often does..
    It just bothers me that many pastors and denomination say is a sin period in order to just head off those problems at the pass...to me that's lying and that's never good..my pastor does not drink, never has drank, and would discourage drinking..but to my knowledge knows it not a Biblical sin.

  5. #5
    I think the pendulum has swung from legalism to sloppy grace. What I have noticed, is that people are now quite open about their drinking and don't even remotely consider the impact their words may have on weaker or baby Christians who just might struggle with alcohol abuse. That is my main concern. I definitely am now leaning towards total abstination just for the sake of using wisdom and not causing others to stumble, because every Church I've attended where it's not frowned upon, someone always, in every case, abuses it. Always.

  6. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to CatchyUsername For This Useful Post:

    curly sue (11-04-2015), Romans828 (11-04-2015)

  7. #6
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Ashville, Alabama
    Posts
    5,920
    Thanked: 3402
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by CatchyUsername View Post
    I think the pendulum has swung from legalism to sloppy grace. What I have noticed, is that people are now quite open about their drinking and don't even remotely consider the impact their words may have on weaker or baby Christians who just might struggle with alcohol abuse. That is my main concern. I definitely am now leaning towards total abstination just for the sake of using wisdom and not causing others to stumble, because every Church I've attended where it's not frowned upon, someone always, in every case, abuses it. Always.
    People abuse alcohol regardless if the church teaching, I believe. The difference is, more likely, that one is open about it and the other tries to hide it. That's why I believe accurate teaching on it is by far the greater way to go.

  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Quest For This Useful Post:

    A.J. (11-03-2015), Ezekiel 33 (11-06-2015)

  9. #7
    I understand people abuse alcohol regardless, but if you see, my main concern is causing others to stumble. That is directly contrary to Paul's admonition in Romans 14. When people are comfortable abusing alcohol, they tend to be very open about it because they are not convicted. That is the problem I have seen.

    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    People abuse alcohol regardless if the church teaching, I believe. The difference is, more likely, that one is open about it and the other tries to hide it. That's why I believe accurate teaching on it is by far the greater way to go.

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to CatchyUsername For This Useful Post:

    Cardinal TT (11-03-2015), curly sue (11-04-2015), Romans828 (11-04-2015)

  11. #8
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Ashville, Alabama
    Posts
    5,920
    Thanked: 3402
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by CatchyUsername View Post
    I understand people abuse alcohol regardless, but if you see, my main concern is causing others to stumble. That is directly contrary to Paul's admonition in Romans 14. When people are comfortable abusing alcohol, they tend to be very open about it because they are not convicted. That is the problem I have seen.
    If taught correctly including teaching it in the context of Paul's message on eating food offered to Idols then the aspect of being a stumbling block and the need for personal conscience and accountability AND walking in love for the weaker brethren are all covered..

  12. #9
    Well, correct. The problem that I've seen is that I have yet to hear a "teaching" from the pulpit about this. In two Churches the asst. pastor struggled with alcohol in his past and knew he should not drink, but did anyway. In another Church, the children's ministry director also struggled with alcohol, but has stopped drinking now. The only comment I've heard from the pulpit is a comment about how back in the Baptist Church the speaker was a part of, he would never have taken a drink, but now that he has "liberty", he said he gets funny looks when he's in the beer and wine isle at the grocery story (people laughed). This is what I am saying. People steeped in the culture of "liberty", tend to not see it as an issue, and don't do much teaching except for a few comments here and there that aren't teaching per se.

    I do agree that solid teaching is the answer, but I've yet to see any Church get it right. That's all I'm saying.

    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    If taught correctly including teaching it in the context of Paul's message on eating food offered to Idols then the aspect of being a stumbling block and the need for personal conscience and accountability AND walking in love for the weaker brethren are all covered..

  13. #10
    Senior Member wheeze's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    1,488
    Thanked: 862
    Blog Entries
    1
    i think our example is Jesus who turned the water into grape juice..... thank heavens it was welches....

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to wheeze For This Useful Post:

    Ezekiel 33 (11-06-2015)

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Has your Volkswagen Jetta extended warranty expired? Get a fast online quote from CarWarrantyUS today. Enjoy the open road and leave the repairs to us.