Do We Have Room for Alcohol in the Assemblies of God?--By Rick Debous
Many are trying to decide whether or not we should loosen our stand against drinking alcohol, based solely on what the scripture says or doesn't say. While I agree that the Bible is the ultimate rule for the lives of believers and is the best way to govern our societies, I also believe that there are things that are not covered in specificity but are covered by the law of sowing and reaping. While I can't find a pure statement in the Bible that completely outlaws the consumption of alcohol I can say that the fruit of its use is a harvest no one wants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that over 88,000 people die each year because of sickness or disease that can be directly related to the use of alcohol. The U.S. Library of Medicine says there are 1.2 million visits to local emergency rooms because of alcohol, creating 7,459 unintended deaths, 28,696 murders, 19,347 suicides, and 10,228 deaths involving automobiles, and all at a cost to the U.S. economy of $223,500,000,000.00. What can't be reported or even tracked is how many kids are abused by drunken parents or guardians and how many homes and lives are destroyed because of alcohol use.
Why would we want to bring this evil into the lives of believers? Many have come to us to be delivered from it and its results. Have we forgotten the teaching of Paul that we should not do anything (even if it is not a sin) if it could offend our brother? This is not a "can we" issue; it is a "should we" issue!
It's like the generation that built the barricade between their town and the river that ran beside them. They built it because it flooded and destroyed all they had spent their lives building. They said, "We can't control the river and even though it's nice to look at, it's nice to have easy access to it, we never know when it's going to flood. So let's protect ourselves and our children by raising a standard so high that it can't get to where we live." Later, however, after that generation had passed away the children said, "What were our parents thinking? Why should we live behind such a high standard? If we take it down we will be able to see the beautiful river and enjoy all of its assets." They did take it down and the river did flood, and they lost both what they and their parents had built!
The generation who did not come directly out of a sin-ravaged situation but out of a Christ-blessed home may not value the high standards of the past generation as they should, but that does not change the law of sowing and reaping. What we sow or allowed to be sown will produce its fruit and if we lower our standards someone's children will pay for it!
Just as alcohol impaired the thinking of Herod when he commanded the head of John the Baptist it continues to impair the thinking of people everywhere. It creates an atmosphere and opportunity for sin which ultimately produces death. Sin kills relationships, futures, and eternities. Why would we want anything in our lives that impairs our thinking and makes sin seem less deadly? The drinking of alcohol in itself may not be sin, but no one can deny that it creates an atmosphere for sin to operate.
As we consider this in the light of the law of sowing and reaping rather than simply as legal or illegal, we should look first at the fruit that comes from the activity, both good and bad, and take our stand either for or against, based on its potential results. This I know—once you plant the seed someone will have to deal with its fruit, and once you take down the standard someone will have to deal with the flood! It is not just, "Can I do it and still go to heaven?" It is also, "If I open this door will my grandchildren end up paying for it?"
So, in my opinion, we should not make room for drinking in the lives of the leaders or the culture of the Assemblies of God!
1 comment:
I want to be clear before I start this, I am not advocating for wanton drunked-ness or petitioning everyone to go out and drink. I think we as followers of Christ need to focus on being the beloved of God more than our list of Do's and Do Not's, lest we become the very Pharisee's that persecuted Jesus because he didn't follow their man-made laws. It is important not to eisegete scripture with our own personal bias, but to exegete the passages and see what scripture says in context.
There is no pure statement against alcohol, because there isn't a blanket prohibition. In actuality, the bible states that wine is a gift from God. Ecc 9:7 "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do." (NIV). Wine was considered a blessing and lack of wine was considered a curse, read Pro 3:9-10, Deut 7:13; 11:14; 33:28, Hosea 9:2; Joel 1:10; Amos 5:11; Micah 6:15; Zephaniah 1:13; Hagai 1:11. By stating that alcohol is evil or "the devil's drink" you are undeniably claiming God gave us evil for our joy. Obviously this is ridiculous. Just like many things in this earth, alcohol can be used for good or evil.
This isn't even a comprehensive list of verses supporting alcohol use, just a few of many. You mentioned the CDC study. Also consider overwhelming research done by multiple medical groups to include the Mayo Clinic and the CDC. Moderate alcohol consumption increases life expectancy, greatly reduces risk of heart disease, and lowers risk for moderate dementia. Remember I am referring to moderate use of alcohol, not over indulgence.
The Bible is very clear about the negative effects of drunked-ness and I feel you stated them quite well. The potential for alcohol to be used to horrible results is obvious, which is why we need to have examples for our children on how alcohol can be used in a healthy manner. In countries like Germany or Italy where alcohol consumption is considered normal, there is a significant drop in overuse.
Over indulgence in any earthly thing is negative, yet how many god fearing pastors do we have that are comfortable and even justify being obese. The Bible clearly lists gluttony and sloth as two of the seven deadly sins and we do know, they kill. Yet they are not preached against.
As Christian's our identity guides our behavior. When our behavior dictates our identity, we become Pharisees.
Before I became an AG Pastor, I drank beer. Mildly. A six pack of quality beer could last me weeks and I would have a beer or glass of wine with my family when I'd visit. The last time I had "one too many" I was a teen in rebellion, many years ago. Since then I have never had more than one when not in the presence of my wife and almost never more than two in an evening. I teach my own children both about the dangers and the proper consumption of alcohol. Currently I do not drink, because I made a promise as an AG pastor, not because of any conviction from the Holy Spirit.
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