Alcohol: The Issue

Whereas the generations of the early to mid twentieth century in American evangelicalism generally prohibited alcohol consumption, at least among its leaders, today’s younger evangelicals do not seem to recognize alcohol as an issue even worth debate. Their senior counterparts seem to concur that there should be no need for debate, as well; because they believe all should agree that alcohol consumption is evil. In fairness, the issue ranges beyond age or occupation. For Christians the issue stands on one of two viewpoints: what is permissible or what honors God most in one’s life? Yet even within these two perspectives the line can still appear hazed. The debate is rarely objective, but, rather, most often influenced by one’s cultural context and social situation (i.e. the laborer from St. Louis whose livelihood depends on Anheuser-Busch or the daughter of an abusive alcoholic). An objective position must rely on more than one’s feelings while also keeping in consideration the deep associations that some people do have concerning alcohol.
Some have advocated, to the point of requirement for church membership or employment, complete abstinence from alcoholic consumption as a means of ensuring that such individuals will avoid the potential for abusive drinking. Others contend that Christian freedom opposes man-made laws and that drinking is a matter of personal conscience. Through application of the Biblical texts that speak on alcohol, as well as Christian relations, a general rule can be devised that embraces true freedom to Christ and a heart to see God worshiped in every area of one’s life.