All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
I have a alcohol accepting church, that includes the pastors drinking on occasion. One pastor recently got a DUI and it ended up being a couple year ordeal already with a lot of hurt and healing. In this situation God has used the situation for good. I believe our church did a good job of showing how to go through a restorative process. There were consequences but they did not take the easy route of just removing pastor and family from the church. (He was put in an administrative role and was removed from pastoral duties while going through the year plus restorative process).
The Nazarene guideline to abstain from alcohol from a church governance perspective makes a lot of sense as it reduces the percentage of damage control that would invariably go up from removing it as a guideline.
The General Assembly overhauled this section of the Manual four months ago. I cannot offhand remember if it still uses the word “evil” or not, but I do remember it being a better statement, though still concluding in abstinence as the best practice.
I thought there had been more work done since the 2017-21 edition. I just couldn't find it in the amount of time I had to prepare this particular post. Further, upon further reading of how they used the word "evil," there is a chance it was poor sentence structure.
Here is what it said: "We recognize that our young people are greatly influenced by the millions of dollars that are spent on tobacco advertising, and its twin evil, beverage alcohol." It wasn't even in the same section.
I still think it's the wrong horse for the carriage. There are many reasons abstinence is the best practice. I agree. The science is there. The Biblical proof-text? Meh...
Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to get drunk on wine because it leads to debauchery. Although the King James doesn't say debauchery but "wherein is excess".
So it doesn't say you shouldn't drink, it says that you shouldn't drink excessively.
Also, Jesus was being accused of being a glutton and drunkard by the Pharisee, they always made assumptions or accusations about Jesus. They called him the son of the devil for casting out demons, they bribed people to lie so they could have him killed. I don't think their accusations were true.
But I do agree with you, that drinking isn't a sin. I do believe that drinking in excess has the possibility to lead to sin.
Ephesians 5:18 is exactly why I choose to get drunk on martinis and not wine. (I jest!) Seriously though, What I appreciate about Ephesians 5:18 is that it shares wisdom rather than simply laying out a new rule, so to speak. Now we can look at it as a "rule for healthy living," but I think that's different than what we've often done in the past. I prefer to live my life in a way that is healthy rather than in a way that is just trying not to anger God.
As for the accusations about Jesus, we're in agreement. Their accusations were NOT true. (I think I said that part.)
The dangers of alcohol are many. It inhibits our judgement, loosens our self-control and surely is responsible for many of our problems.
Though I’m content with not drinking alcohol, I’ve seen many Christians who can handle a drink or two... and many who can’t..My personal advice is to abstain but certainly alcohol is Not condemned in scripture or church history.One more thing abstain from drinking around others who are fragile in that area.Thanks Jeff for writing!
1 Corinthians 10:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
I have a alcohol accepting church, that includes the pastors drinking on occasion. One pastor recently got a DUI and it ended up being a couple year ordeal already with a lot of hurt and healing. In this situation God has used the situation for good. I believe our church did a good job of showing how to go through a restorative process. There were consequences but they did not take the easy route of just removing pastor and family from the church. (He was put in an administrative role and was removed from pastoral duties while going through the year plus restorative process).
The Nazarene guideline to abstain from alcohol from a church governance perspective makes a lot of sense as it reduces the percentage of damage control that would invariably go up from removing it as a guideline.
Thanks, Dana. That is a quite valuable perspective.
The General Assembly overhauled this section of the Manual four months ago. I cannot offhand remember if it still uses the word “evil” or not, but I do remember it being a better statement, though still concluding in abstinence as the best practice.
I thought there had been more work done since the 2017-21 edition. I just couldn't find it in the amount of time I had to prepare this particular post. Further, upon further reading of how they used the word "evil," there is a chance it was poor sentence structure.
Here is what it said: "We recognize that our young people are greatly influenced by the millions of dollars that are spent on tobacco advertising, and its twin evil, beverage alcohol." It wasn't even in the same section.
I still think it's the wrong horse for the carriage. There are many reasons abstinence is the best practice. I agree. The science is there. The Biblical proof-text? Meh...
Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to get drunk on wine because it leads to debauchery. Although the King James doesn't say debauchery but "wherein is excess".
So it doesn't say you shouldn't drink, it says that you shouldn't drink excessively.
Also, Jesus was being accused of being a glutton and drunkard by the Pharisee, they always made assumptions or accusations about Jesus. They called him the son of the devil for casting out demons, they bribed people to lie so they could have him killed. I don't think their accusations were true.
But I do agree with you, that drinking isn't a sin. I do believe that drinking in excess has the possibility to lead to sin.
Anne,
Thanks for chiming in!
Ephesians 5:18 is exactly why I choose to get drunk on martinis and not wine. (I jest!) Seriously though, What I appreciate about Ephesians 5:18 is that it shares wisdom rather than simply laying out a new rule, so to speak. Now we can look at it as a "rule for healthy living," but I think that's different than what we've often done in the past. I prefer to live my life in a way that is healthy rather than in a way that is just trying not to anger God.
As for the accusations about Jesus, we're in agreement. Their accusations were NOT true. (I think I said that part.)
The dangers of alcohol are many. It inhibits our judgement, loosens our self-control and surely is responsible for many of our problems.
Though I’m content with not drinking alcohol, I’ve seen many Christians who can handle a drink or two... and many who can’t..My personal advice is to abstain but certainly alcohol is Not condemned in scripture or church history.One more thing abstain from drinking around others who are fragile in that area.Thanks Jeff for writing!
My pleasure, Sean! Thanks for reading.