How do we arrive at the right decision?

Recently I came across a slip of paper tucked into my Bible. On it was written a question passed to me by a pastor at a teaching conference in Malawi some years ago. Underneath the question were two lists of references; the first were warnings or prohibitions about drinking alcohol, but the second seemed to convey the opposite message. My pastor friend was unclear. As a leader of God's people, and someone whose example people looked to, he wanted to teach truth. This was his question: "Wine bad or wine ok for me? Please reconcile these two views."

I remember being struck at the time that this was an issue of concern for several leaders - perhaps because they had received mixed messages from a range of influences. I was also told that alcohol was a real problem for many in that part of the world. As an example of one of many issues to which we turn to the Bible for guidance, it is worth thinking about carefully.

A superficial and straightforward approach to scripture would say to Just do what the Bible says. Certainly, that is a good starting point. But careful readers of the Bible notice that on some matters of ethics and behaviour the Bible seems to speak with no single voice. This was indeed the situation for my questioner. That is why he was asking for reconciliation.

How should we begin? The best starting point is to search the scriptures to find all the relevant passages. A concordance is a useful tool for searches with all the relevant words. It is important to look at each in the Biblical context, not just the sentence but the paragraph and indeed the whole book. Gathering the Biblical data requires hard work. Like the Bereans we need to search the scriptures diligently (Acts 17:11).

In this case, the Bible student will soon notice that in many places what is being condemned is drunkenness and excess rather than drinking wine itself. Some passages indeed paint a positive picture. The wedding celebration at Cana for example (John 2:1-12). Paul also encouraged the younger Timothy to "...not still drink water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake, and your frequent infirmities." (1 Timothy 5:23) He also encouraged the Ephesian Christians "...not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) 

Incidentally, according to those who are scholars of the original languages and culture, there is no evidence that when Jesus turned water into wine, it was alcohol-free or unfermented grape juice. Certainly, the wine at Ephesus was not! 

So that seems to settle the matter. Drinking responsibly in moderation is fine. Drinking to excess and losing self-control is not. Well, for sure, this is a good start. But we need to ask a further question. Are there any circumstances in which it is good for a Christian to refrain from drinking alcohol even responsibly? 

Yes, there are. This is where a second context needs to be considered, the context of today's reader. In some cultures today, where there is a significant alcohol problem with drunkenness and its impact on family life, another set of considerations come into play. How is drinking wine going to be seen by others and especially those who are vulnerable to its dangers? There may be no problem whatsoever for the person who drinks responsibly, but what about others nearby who do have a problem with alcohol? What message might they take from seeing someone else drinking? 

Now that specific situation is not addressed in detail in scripture, but there is another parallel which is very helpful. Paul addressed the issue of eating meat originating in pagan temples (where surplus meat was typically sold off to the public.) If you are not familiar with this passage or need a refresher, the passage concerned is found in 1 Corinthians 10. Paul's main point here is to say that Christians should not allow their own freedom of conscience to do something that offends a brother or sister Christian,  who in good conscience has a different position. This may put them in the position of being tempted to do something against their own conscience. Our consciences function like traffic lights; green - it is fine; red - no this is wrong; amber - caution! This is a God-given faculty to help keep us on the right path. But consciences need to be educated. Paul did not have a problem with eating meat himself, even if it might have been dedicated to idols, because he knew that idols were nothing. But others, with a different perspective, might be troubled because to them to eat would be to participate in idolatry. In such circumstances, Paul would refrain from eating that meat out of consideration to those with a weaker conscience, even though he would feel perfectly entitled to do so (1 Corinthians 8 and 10). That is Christian love in action. Any action which might encourage or tempt another Christian to ignore their conscience should be avoided. Better to expose such people to good teaching and to re-educate their consciences. 

But even this situation is not quite the same. The issue may not be so much one of conscience but vulnerability. In a culture where alcohol abuse is common, it is certainly a wise course of action to avoid it for the sake of those who are vulnerable and might be tempted. Those who do not have a problem with alcohol need to remember that some people do. Alcoholism can be the cause of marriage break up and neglect of family. It can lead to valuable financial resources being squandered. The problem may have a genetic basis, being more of an addictive disease than simply moral weakness. It would be quite wrong to exercise this personal freedom if doing so might weaken the resolve to abstain of a recovering alcoholic or an easily tempted person. For such people's benefit, it would be better to avoid it.

This is the law of love in action. It is not a rigid and inflexible universal rule. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35) 

Sometimes love calls for self-denial. This is the mark of true discipleship and indeed leadership.

Chris Moffett