(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About God and Alcohol

God and Alcohol

Did you know people actually called Jesus a drunkard in the Bible?

The accusation against Him was blasphemous, of course.

Many people don’t think God and alcohol mix. And, sadly, there are Christians who would make the same blasphemous claim about Christ today. Why? Because Jesus actually drank alcohol with his friends and family; He encouraged others to drink it by turning a boatload of water into wine; and He even commanded Christians to drink it in remembrance of Him.

Where Does It Say All That?

In the Bible.

We must sift every bit of knowledge and understanding through the lens of the Bible. And alcohol is one of the big topics that needs to be brought under submission to the obedience of Christ. Do you have questions about God and alcohol?

Ever wonder how God REALLY feels about you or others drinking wine?
Suspect that you or someone you love is drinking TOO much alcohol?
Curious if wine REALLY has any health benefits?
Unsure how to treat your brother or sister with DIFFERENT views on alcohol?

We have answers to these questions — and they come straight outta the Bible. Some of them might surprise you. Continue reading “(Almost) Everything You Need to Know About God and Alcohol” →

Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Brotherly Love, Alcohol, and Romans 14

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

Love One Another

This post will take a thorough look at Romans 14 and how it applies to Christian liberty, brotherly love, and alcohol.

As a reminder, we began the topic of alcohol consumption in the context of 1 Timothy 4:3-4. This passage instructs us to not refuse (nor forbid) the consumption of food which God has designed to be received with thanksgiving. We have explored the pros and cons of drinking alcohol, sifting them through the lens of God’s word. This post (our final before concluding the discussion of alcohol) will probe into the “if and when” we should lovingly choose to abstain from alcohol in preference to a weaker brother. I will draw heavily from Dr. Kenneth Gentry’s work God Gave Wine.

Early in Chapter 6, Gentry asks, “Is the Christian under obligation to alter his behavior, which in itself is not sinful, for the sake of others?” He then appeals to Romans 14 (rather than 1 Corinthians 8-10) because it concisely addresses the topic and specifically mentions drinking wine. In addition, Gentry notes that the Corinthian passage approaches the topic in the context of foods sacrificed to idols, whereas Romans does not. Continue reading “Brotherly Love, Alcohol, and Romans 14” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Christian Liberty and Alcohol Addiction

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

Christian Liberty and Alcohol Addiction

As Christians with liberty, we are free to drink alcohol under three conditions:

Abstain from drunkenness
Avoid alcohol addiction
Do not harm a weaker brother

We’ve addressed Christian Liberty and Drunkenness here and now we will consider Christian Liberty and Alcohol Addiction.

What Does the Bible Say About Alcohol Addiction?

I Timothy 3:8 warns: “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.”

While this admonition is directed specifically to deacons, the “likewise” points also to overseers, who are instructed in I Timothy 3:3 to “not be addicted to wine” in general. This later passage leaves out the word “much,” as does Titus 1:7, which also instructs overseers to “not be addicted to wine.” Continue reading “Christian Liberty and Alcohol Addiction” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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How Much Alcohol Is Too Much Alcohol?

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

We are continuing our examination of alcohol in the Bible. So far we have proved that God not only approves of alcohol, but that He created it to be enjoyed and to bring health benefits to the body. We’ve also demonstrated that when we cross the safe limits and drink too much alcohol, all the benefits turn into dangers.

The Bible does instruct us to not be drunk with wine (which would mean drinking too much alcohol). But how do we know how much alcohol is too much alcohol?

First we will define our terms; then we will examine the question from the world’s standpoint; and then in a future post, we will consider the topic from the standpoint of Christian liberty.

How Much Is A Drink?

This may seem like a dull question; but it is relevant. What do we mean by “one drink”? A person may drink only one glass of wine a day, but if their glass holds 15 ounces of liquid, it is actually equivalent to 3 glasses of wine by industry standards. So for the purposes of clarity, we will share what we mean by one serving (glass or drink) of alcohol. Continue reading “How Much Alcohol Is Too Much Alcohol?” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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13 Health Dangers of Drinking too Much Alcohol

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

Alcohol consumption can be both a blessing and a curse. When used in moderation, as God designed, alcohol can benefit the body. Read 18 Benefits of Wine for Your Health and Emotional Well Being. But cross over the “safe” zone, and there are some serious dangers of drinking too much alcohol. Interestingly, some of the very benefits of moderate alcohol consumption reverse and worsen with drinking too much alcohol.

13 Health Dangers of Drinking too Much Alcohol:

Continue reading “13 Health Dangers of Drinking too Much Alcohol” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Do Not Be Drunk With Wine: 30 Warnings in the Bible

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

Do Not Be Drunk With Wine Long Our last post shared 14 Reasons God Approves Wine in the Bible. But, the Bible also gives stern warnings against alcohol abuse. Ephesians 5:18 says it like this: Do not be drunk with wine.

Previously we shared:

Today we will look at 30 warnings in the Bible about being drunk with wine (or any substance).

Do Not Be Drunk With Wine

I had wanted to share 28 reasons to not be drunk with wine, but I found 30 and went with it. I am sharing over twice the amount of warnings against drunkenness as I shared in defense of alcohol in moderation. Some of these warnings are life-threatening: and they are right out of the Bible. So take heed.
Continue reading “Do Not Be Drunk With Wine: 30 Warnings in the Bible” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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14 Reasons God Approves Wine in the Bible

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

14 Reasons God Approves Wine in the Bible Our last post, The Joy of the Vine Is in the Wine, demonstrated 7 reasons that wine in the Bible contained alcohol. And if the post did not convince you, read Kenneth Gentry’s book, God Gave Wine: What the Bible Says About Alcohol.

We have been defending the fact that God gave His seal of approval for certain foods and drinks that are controversial in today’s society. Presently we are discussing wine in the Bible. Today will explore the fact that God not only approves of wine, but in certain circumstances He even commands its use.

As Christians we have an obligation to “obey all that He commanded us” and to teach others to do the same. “Obeying” all that God commands includes abstaining from certain behaviors. Beyond this we have “Christian liberty” or freedom. God’s law is so simple, but man loves to add to it.

No where is there a command to not drink wine in the Bible. Yet the command to drink wine in certain circumstances is evident — as you will see below. When God does not “forbid” something in the Scripture, neither can we forbid it. To do so is an act of Pharisee-ism and legalism, an adding to the law of God. But as we will see, God not only does not forbid wine, He is pleased with it. Wine is a gift from God to be enjoyed on His terms, just like sexual intimacy and food are to be enjoyed on His terms. Our last post shared 7 reasons that wine in the Bible contained alcohol. And today we will double the evidence that God approves wine in the Bible.

Below are 14 reasons that Christians are allowed (or even commanded) to drink wine in the Bible. Continue reading “14 Reasons God Approves Wine in the Bible” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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The Joy of the Vine Is in the Wine

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

7 Clear Reasons Wine in the Bible Contained Alcohol.

We are continuing our case that we should not refuse food (or drink) that God has given us to enjoy. Our argument is based on 1 Timothy 4:4-5 where the Apostle Paul condemns men “who advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.”

Is Wine Taboo?

The current taboo we are considering is “wine.” Does God forbid the drinking of wine? Or is it allowed in moderation? Those who oppose drinking alcohol often claim that the wine the saints drank in the Bible contained little or no alcohol.

But the Bible paints a different picture, showing that the wine used in the Bible was capable of intoxication. And it is well-known that the alcohol in wine is the element that intoxicates.

Here are 7 reasons that demonstrate that the wine in the Bible was a powerful intoxicant, containing enough alcohol to make the heart merry and/or cause drunkenness.

Continue reading “The Joy of the Vine Is in the Wine” →

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Can We Drink Wine to the Glory of God?

Posted on by Mischelle Sandowich

Can We Drink Wine to the Glory of God? We have been building a case that we should not refuse food that God has given us to enjoy. The Apostle Paul condemns men

“who advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude” — I Timothy 4:4-5.

There are many categories of God ordained “foods” that modern day “diets” and “theologians” instruct us to avoid. We recently discussed the abstention from meat. Yet we saw from the Bible, that meat is now part of God’s diet for man. Read more here: The Evolution of Food in the Bible. In addition, we saw that Meat (not vegetarianism) Is a Gift from God to Be Enjoyed. Next we debunked 10 vegetarian myths: 10 Vegetarian Myths Debunked by God, Science, and the Bible. But to balance the equation, we noted that sometimes vegetarianism is good, acceptable, and even necessary. Read more here: 6 Reasons for God Ordained Vegetarianism in the Bible.

Now we will look at another taboo in many “health food” regimes as well as in many churches. That topic is alcohol consumption. Continue reading “Can We Drink Wine to the Glory of God?” →

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