by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: February 06, 2010   Last Updated: February 07, 2010

There are denominations who believe drinking any form of alcohol at any time is a sin. It is important to be respectful of other Christian’s traditions and beliefs. However, the Bible clearly indicates that some use of alcohol, mostly wine, is perfectly acceptable.

The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus' first miracle. He turns water into wine. It would seem obvious that if Jesus turned water into wine and drank some himself it must be alright for us to do likewise.  Jesus' used a common example of wine in his parable of the wine skin. In the parable it is not wrong to drink wine. Rather it is a mistake to put new wine in an old wine's skin.

Many people are not aware that grape juice is a relatively modern invention. It was developed by a Baptist by the name of Welch. Before he perfected the process grapes and grape juice quickly fermented.

Vineyards and the fruit of the vine are common themes in the Bible. They are so common as to be used in a positive manner when teaching of spiritual things. When Jesus says I am the vine and you are the branches, he is talking about grapevines. The fruit of the vine is not just the grapes but the wine they produce.

The Bible does have a few words to say about drunkenness. Proverbs warns kings and rulers not to be drunkards, lest they rule unwisely.  Isaiah warns against those who stay up late drinking to excess and get up early to drink some more. The enemies of Jesus accuse him of being a drunkard. On the day of Pentecost when the crowd in the street hears the commotion of the outbreak of tongues, some accuse the disciples of being drunk.

The Book of Numbers gives us an exception that proves the general rule. It talks about those who take the vow of the Nazarite. As part of their vows which also include letting their hair grow, they abstain from drinking wine. Since this is a practice which sets them apart we can assume the general population drank wine. Indeed in many countries today it is still safer to drink the wine than the water.

Thus the primary concern of the Bible is for people not to become drunk. Moderation is the key to most behavior. There is no doubt drunkenness is a modern as well as a Biblical problem. There are many recovering alcoholics who know they dare not drink even a drop. It’s not a matter of sin. It is a matter of addiction. It is not the only one. No one would say it is a sin to eat sugar. Yet, many in our culture have a similar problem with refined sugar. It doesn’t lead, or at least not quickly, to disease, death and general grief. However, it is none the less addictive and can be a threat to one’s health. It is especially so for diabetics.

Thus, Biblically speaking it is not a sin to drink wine. However, any behavior that is personally debilitating and abusive to self or others could be considered sinful. 

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