There are some groups of Christians who don’t drink at all, and there are other groups of Christians who often drink too much. So can Christians drink alcohol? To answer the question as simply as possible: yes. But that also comes with some stipulations.
The Bible says many things about drinking alcohol, and many of the things it says aren’t highly encouraging. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key passages that discuss drinking alcohol in the Bible.
What does the Old Testament say about drinking alcohol?
The book of Proverbs gives many warnings about alcohol:
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” – Proverbs 20:1
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to crave strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what is decreed,
depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing,
and wine to the bitter in soul.
Let him drink and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
– Proverbs 31: 4–7
The earliest reference to alcohol in the Bible is also telling. Noah, only a few verses after walking off the ark in Genesis 9, continues to get drunk off the grapes of his vineyard. His son, Ham, sees his father lying in his tent naked, and instead of covering up this embarrassing event, tells his brothers. His two brothers walk backwards without looking, covering their father with a blanket, and the result is that Noah curses his son Ham. This story acts first as an encouragement to honor one’s parents, but indirectly it also acts as a warning against drunkenness.
What does the New Testament say about Christians drinking alcohol?
The New Testament does not speak extensively about alcohol, but it is clearly never forbidden because of the advice Paul gives in 1 Timothy 5:23, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” The encouragement to drink wine wasn’t simply for the purpose of drinking and was related to a specific health issue. So this passage is distorted if it is used to encourage heavy drinking, but it does make it clear that alcohol is not problematic if it’s used correctly.
The most illuminating passage in the New Testament about the way Christians should approach alcohol is found in Ephesians 5:18, which reads, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” The Bible gives context for the reason why drunkenness is forbidden. Drinking affects one’s ability to make the right choices, and because of this, drunkenness is forbidden for Christians.
It is a beautiful thing that the Bible does not simply leave it at that. Drinking is often a way of escaping hardship and an easy way of achieving a kind of euphoria, but Paul suggests that experiencing and living in the Holy Spirit is a more satisfying experience than drunkenness. So instead of escaping life through drinking, the Christian is encouraged to find more lasting and significant joy in the presence of God.
But how many drinks is too much?
The Bible only forbids Christians from drunkenness, not from drinking entirely. Another beautiful thing about the Bible is that it does not allow Christians to escape from the complexities of life. There is not a simple answer to how many drinks make a person drunk. It even depends on the individual person drinking—weight, height, and consumption all affect tolerance.
The only guide for the Christian is conscience. Each person must live before God alone. And the true Christian would not use the openness of the command as a license to drink beyond the proper amount. Instead, Christians should approach drinking with the gravity that it deserves. God found it important to teach His followers not to become drunk, so Christians who choose not to approach drunkenness as a problem are choosing not to listen to their Creator.
Wouldn’t it be better for Christians not to drink alcohol?
Alcohol has ruined a lot of people’s lives through broken relationships, abuse, and premature death. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, even above cancer and COVID-19 in 2020. And excessive use of alcohol can be a leading contributor of heart disease.
Again it’s important that each person should make a decision based on their conscience. If someone has grown up in a family with alcoholism, it may be wise to choose not to drink. But the Bible does not forbid drinking entirely, and so it’s important that Christians not add to the commandments of the Bible.
If you’re struggling with alcoholism, you should seek the help of the AA or find a counselor. But if you want to discuss more about the Bible’s teachings on every aspect of life, please reach out. If you’ve read the Bible and agree, that’s exciting. And if you have a different opinion, I’d love to be challenged by your interpretation.