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Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Name: GodlyScore Review: Should Christians Drink Alcohol?
Item: Alcohol for Christians
Rating: 3.0
Author: GodlyScore

Should Christians drink alcohol? The Bible takes a nuanced position often misrepresented in both directions. Here is what Scripture actually says.

GODLY

Alcohol for Christians

Mixed

★★★☆☆3.0/5 · GodlyScore 60/100

Bible clearly prohibits drunkenness. Does not prohibit moderate consumption — wine appears throughout Scripture positively including at the Lord's Supper. Two defensible positions: total abstinence (wisdom) and moderate consumption (liberty). Neither is required by Scripture.

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What Scripture Says

Clear prohibition: Ephesians 5:18 — "Do not get drunk on wine." Galatians 5:21 lists drunkenness as a work of the flesh. Proverbs 20:1 warns against being led astray by wine.

Neutral or positive: John 2 — Jesus's first miracle was turning water into wine. 1 Timothy 5:23 — Paul tells Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach. Psalm 104:15 — wine gladdens the heart of man. The Lord's Supper uses wine.

Two Positions

Total abstinence (Baptist, many evangelical traditions) — wisdom-based, not directly required by Scripture. Moderate consumption (Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic traditions) — liberty within biblical limits. Neither is uniquely biblical. Three questions before drinking: Am I at risk for addiction? Will my liberty be a stumbling block (Romans 14:21)? Am I drinking to be filled with something other than the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Christians drink alcohol?

Two defensible positions: total abstinence (wisdom-based, not commanded) and moderate consumption (Christian liberty within clear limits). Drunkenness is unambiguously prohibited. Christians can disagree as a disputable matter (Romans 14).

Is drinking alcohol a sin?

Drunkenness is a sin — clearly condemned in Scripture. Moderate alcohol consumption is not prohibited by Scripture. Whether to drink is a matter of Christian liberty and wisdom, not categorical sin.