Because Christ made Wine part of the central aspect of Worship which biblical Christians follow to this day.

There’s nothing in the Bible that outright condemns alcohol, only passages that warn against overindulgence.

Alcohol isn’t the problem.

>Just looking for opinions/biblical truth.

Well Jesus's participation with things alcohol-based is biblical truth. How are you going to get a good idea of what the Bible says about this if you immediately discount what Jesus has to say and do about it? Wouldn't want Jesus says and does with alcohol be the most relevant thing here?

>Why is it ok for Christians to partake of the same things that the world does?

Where do you draw the line? Is cheese worldly? Pizza?

Here's an extensive Bible study on wine, using the original Hebrew words in context. You can't get more biblical than this on the subject of drinking alcoholic beverages:

https://godofgreenhope.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/wine-the-cheering-gift-from-the-maker/

Tldr: God specifically says it's okay to, in moderation.

Alcohol used to be more of a medication than a recreational drug. People 3000 years ago drank alcohol because their lives were miserable and it made them happy for an hour or two. Today we have therapy and medications, exercise options, vacations maybe, spas, massages, as well as loads of things like air conditioning, central heat, supermarkets, mattresses, toilets, etc that make our lives much more bearable even at the worst of times.

In other words, we have better ways to accomplish the purpose alcohol and other drugs served 1000s of years ago. So you shouldn’t use alcohol or drugs recreationally or at all because there are better options. It has become a sin.

There's a few churches that teach that alcohol is sinful. But this is a minority view, in conflict with the bible and with church tradition.

I think the idea that "wine wasn't alcoholic back then" is completely fabricated by those who insist that Christians shouldn't ever drink alcohol. Again, Jesus made the good stuff.

I would hope that if Jesus turned water into wine- good wine- that we would be able to drink it.

We just need to stay sober.

God does seem to commend those who abstain from alcohol for various reasons and stick with it- see the story of the Rekabites in Jeremiah 35.

Proverbs 31:6-7 King James Version (KJV)

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

Drinking alcohol is not a sin. Getting drunk is a sin. Eating food is not a sin. Overeating food is a sin.

I’m Jewish. ‘Nuff said

Sake is considered sacred in my religion (Shinto)

> O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. [5:90]

It’s poisonous and will eventually kill you. But this is also true of sunshine, so you may as well have fun

What makes it false?

r/religion does not permit demonizing or bigotry against any demographic group on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexuality, or ability. Demonizing includes unfair/inaccurate criticisms, bad faith arguments, gross stereotyping, feigned ignorance, conspiracy theories, and "just asking questions" about specific religions or groups.

Well, as a Catholic, wine is apart of the Eucharist. But in Buddhism the Fifth Precept is “I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs that lead to carelessness.” So I tend to avoid any alcohol besides from the Holy Communion.

Before women had the right to vote or equal pay, they were at the mercy of abusive alcoholic husbands who could drink them into destitution, leaving them battered and too broke to care for kids. This epidemic of violence was blamed on alcohol, the thinking being sober husbands would be perfect gentlemen. So movements like the Women's Christian Temperance Movement partnered with churches in a long, slow battle to preach against alcohols evil effects.

The fact is it was a movement led by women Christians who were the victims of their husbands alcoholism (which was not understood then as a disease but a moral failing). Even if they personally weren't victims, they had empathy for women who were.

They were fighting drunkeness by trying to remove the source.

The successful way to protect women from alcoholic husbands was no fault divorce and equal rights in the work place. Which many Christians are fighting against now even though Jesus put his guidance on divorce with a goal of protecting women.

Prohibition was not a church-only thing, but as a moralizing movement many churches picked up on it.

Anyone religious who picks up a moral issue is going to try to further justify it on the basis of religion. And many, many Americans were Christians or at least churchgoers. That's pretty much it.

Drunkenness was a much MUCH bigger issue at the time than it is now; with all the sin and violence that came with it (coupled with the 6 day work week many people had at the time).

(Note: even during prohibition, exceptions were made for religious events such as communion and passover)

Prohibition caused many serious issues, but by the time it was repealed much of the culture around alcohol and the working class had changed to greatly reduce how badly it affected people.

Drunkenness is still a sin and causes great harm today, but it is a pale shadow of it used to be when prohibition was promoted.

I see where you’re coming from, and honestly, you’re not wrong to be critical of how Christian ideals have sometimes been twisted into tools of control or moral policing. The sad truth is, many have hijacked Christianity throughout history to push their own agendas—sometimes in completely opposite directions from what Jesus actually taught.

Adolf Hitler is a disturbing example. He referenced Christianity when it suited his propaganda, yet his actions were utterly opposed to the teachings of Christ, who preached love, mercy, and self-sacrifice. Likewise, slavery in America was defended by some using Scripture—yet they ignored the very heart of the gospel, which says there is “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). These weren’t Christian solutions—they were abuses of Christian language to justify sin and power grabs.

And just to speak to the issue of race, there’s a powerful story in Numbers 12 where Moses’ own siblings—Miriam and Aaron—speak against him for marrying an Ethiopian woman. God doesn’t just correct them, He strikes Miriam with leprosy, clearly showing His disapproval of their prejudice. That alone tells us God doesn’t operate by our flawed standards of race or superiority—He cares about the heart.

So yeah, when Christianity is reduced to rule-making or political power, it often becomes a shell of what it’s meant to be. But true Christianity isn’t about telling people what to do from a pedestal—it’s about helping people become whole from the inside out through Jesus. That transformation doesn’t come by force, it comes by grace.

Look, I'm as atheist as it gets, but its hard to say they were wrong, even if im againsy prohibition and for full legalization wrt drugs. Drinking and spousal violence never returned to the same levels - despite still being really high.

I’m not sure which church you’re referring to?

But there are a lot of Spiritual Christian leaders in America that are wrong all the time about a lot of things. Lots of them tend to be loud and prey, knowingly or unknowingly, on people’s insecurities. Some are profiting and some are pawns. Christian’s are subject to corruption just as much an any other institution. This is the driving force.

Education is very important.

Prohibition was not right, but could you blame those women? Their husbands would work and then spend all the money one alcohol. Then go visit prostitutes and brime home stds and violently abuse them

I am a relatively recent Church of Christ goer. Been going for about 5 years now and I generally will choose their doctrine over another denomination but not because I’m all for Church of Christ, but simply because they do adhere the closest to scripture (at the very least my church) than other places I’ve been who tend to take scripture out of context for their sermons and teachings (again speaking in general/my personal experience).

All that to say is I will drink in moderation (well not last night, I got way to drunk and had to ask forgiveness but this is a very very rare occurrence), in my church I’ve seen a variety of opinions from no alcohol whatsoever to they drink a twisted tea occasionally to a constant beer drinker when at home. But no one is announcing their drinking opinions/habits, it’s just something that is sort of felt out between members. At least in my experience it is.

Added note: I have publicly posted pictures of clearly alcoholic beverages on fb since being a member and no one in authority (and they are on my fb friends) has said anything

Unfortunately, it will cause you to lose friends in the Church. The problem here is that in some COCs, they take the most conservative position possible. In this instance, drunkenness is a sin. Therefore, we don't drink any alcohol to avoid committing that sin. This is erroneous, in my opinion, as it binds Christians to something that is not stated in scripture but rather a tradition of trying to stay well within the boundaries of God's Law. As you pointed out, we shouldn't be causing each other to stumble so you wouldn't drink alcohol in front of a recovering alcoholic Christian. However, scripture also talks about strengthening each other and showing each other a better way. As long as you respectfully and lovingly assert your thoughts on scripture and have conversations there should be no problem, up to and including excommunication, which in the COC should follow a very rigid structure and wouldn't come as a surprise. Just as an aside, could you be a Christian without alcohol? If that answer is no, it may be approaching idol status, just something to keep an eye on.

OP, the discussion here gives you a clear picture of what you will see if you attend/join the CoC and continue to drink. Some won't care. Some will consider you an unrepentant sinner. Some will say, "One drink is one drink drunk."

Talk to an Elder at your girlfriend’s church. See where they stand on the subject. CoCs are independent of each other. One congregation may not have an issue with it. Another might.

A good Elder will listen to your concern and discuss. No subject should be taboo from discussion. Just when the time comes to make a point, make sure both sides are able to back it up biblically.

I’m a church of Christ preacher with no problem for those who choose to drink. I’ve worked at multiple congregations all with varying teachings on the subject: all drinking is sinful, moderation is permissible, and a “don’t ask don’t tell” kind of place. So there’s definitely options and a variety out there, though the majority will teach Christians should avoid all alcohol. Looking at the texts around wine in the New Testament, considering the historical and original language context, I personally think it’s somewhat obvious that the wine mentioned throughout the NT is alcoholic, but I choose to respect those who interpret differently. I’d encourage you to do the same. While I land differently on the subject, their position is not insane and there is some logic behind their reasoning.

Jesus's first public miracle was to make alcohol. He gave his followers a sacrament that involved drinking alcohol.

Yes, absolutely.

We see several examples of people drinking wine in the Bible. It was not seen as salacious or sinful.

Scripture only cautions us to not get drunk. So a glass of wine with dinner? Have a beer while watching a game? Sip a cocktail in the evening? Perfectly fine.

Drinking alcohol is not sinful, unless the individuals' conscience thinks it is.

Getting drunk is sinful.

Ok I might get downvoted but please don't drink. Even if it was not a sin drinking remains bad for you but let me tell you why I think it's a sin and I encourage you to do more research on this. The thing is that in the Bible, wine is used both to talk about alcohol and grape juice. I believe that when the book of Genesis talks about alcoholic wine it is trying to show reasons why not to drink. At the very beginning of the Bible wine is already linked to adultery and incest. You might think that the authors of the KJV would have translated wine as grape juice when needed but no they didn't and that's because if they did, it would not be a literal translation and would be the authors' interpretation. Steven Anderson, even though you might hate him has a great sermon on this that I recommend watching. Stay safe and God bless!

A long time ago I combed through the bible to find any verse even remotely related and I only found a couple points.

1. Don’t get drunk. The bible doesn’t seem to like the idea of christians being under the influence of a mind or judgement altering substance. Prov. 20:1, Eph. 5:18, Rom. 13:13, and 1 Pet. 1:13 (and many other verses of a similar nature)
2. All things may be permitted but they’re not all beneficial or constructive. 1 Cor. 10:23

Realistically? Alcohol's permitted because it's hard to ban it when Jesus turned water to wine and wine to blood.

Drunkenness isn't allowed though. I'm not aware of too many meth heads who stop at a mild increase in alertness (then again, my profession means I'm usually seeing them near death, or while in court for someone else's death).

We are required to submit to the authorities of just civil laws.

See: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P7W.HTM

Any illegal recreational drug use would not be permitted.

If we are speaking of marijuana, which is being legalized in some STATES in the US, it remains illegal on the Federal level.

If the recreational drug use is legal, it would be subject to moderation, and the link provided by /u/kjdtkd is good. The same would apply to alcohol.

Unfortunately, too many Catholics have a tendency to indulge excessively in food, alcohol and entertainment. They seem to think going to Church is enough while neglecting living a healthy lifestyle that includes restraint.

See here

Depends on what you mean and the intention, there were and are plenty of monks who brew beer, blessings to be had, and many Catholics partake in the enjoyment of distilled spirits and cigars, a good example is the Catholic Man show.

Moderation is key to this.

Now to do this and excess and ruin, I’d argue that is a surefire way to Hell, don’t be a glutton. Have a good smoke, bless your pints, and enjoy the gifts of the Lord.

You're allowed to drink alcohol as long as you don't get drunk. In all the four Apostolic Churches we use wine for communion, so it would be weird to use that if it were a sin.

Gambling is something that you'll need to settle with your conscience. I never gamble, not because I think it's a sin, but because I think it's a waste of money. As long as you don't develop an addiction to gambling, then you're fine.

Yes we have freedom in Christ.

Gambling is never condemned outright, but I suppose it's a waste of the resources God has gave us. The house always wins. It's designed like that. Perhaps operating a casino is a sin, if you allow people to destroy themselves. I'd like to offer a better way to handle our resources with wisdom.

Invest instead in God's Kingdom. Buy food, water, and if they're willing, bibles for the homeless. Buy them coats and stuff in the winter, and cool clothes in the summer. The homeless often also need socks and underwear, which is true year round.

Find a single mother or widow to help. A homeless man cant really use a bunch of raw chicken but a single mother sure can. Consider buying the children clothes, or maybe books to help them read or write it they're young, since literacy goes a long way in preventing poverty.

Consider also supporting ministries, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Be wise though: joel osten and benny Hinn do not need your money.

Maybe buy or build a wooden box, then set it up somewhere discreet where a lot of people in need pass by, like under or near a bridge. Stock it with toilet paper, water bottles, snacks, bibles, and whatever people may need. Consider if dogs or bears visit there, or if your box can withstand them. Most cant withstand bears, but a chest high box off the ground can withstand a dog.

You could also use a similar wooden box to make a "lending library." If you make it yourself, with whoever owns the lands permission, you can put whatever you like in it: children's books, literacy books, books which teach trade skills, and yes bibles and other religious books.

There are endless ideas to help people with our resources, all of which are promised by Jesus to be rewarded in Matthew 6:1-4. I hope this inspires someone to make a difference in their local community. God bless you!

Depends on your status is in the church, biblically speaking. Most Christians can partake in moderation, however Paul advised abstinence of riskier behaviors for the higher tier of church administration.

>No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (1 Timothy 5:23)

Greek is all Greek to me, but my understanding is that οἶνος in this verse does very much mean fermented drink usually of grapes. Now, was Paul telling Timothy to drink some alcoholic drink because Timothy had ailments that would be helped by alcohol or because Timothy drinking water that was not purified of all sorts of parasites, viruses, and bacteria was itself causing those ailments? I don't know, but the consumption of alcohol can't be categorically evil regardless of the reason if Paul is saying to go drink some.

>And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:27-29)

Jesus Himself telling people to drink what can be nothing other than fermented drink. Grape harvest time was months away, and the prior year's harvest was more than half a year before. Some will try to say that this was freshly squeezed "grape juice," but this is a contrivance that makes no sense in the context of the time and place.

>When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:9-10)

My, my, my... Back to this οἶνος, and now water is being transformed into it to be drunk recreationally at a party! What a sinner this Jesus fellow must be to do such a thing... Somebody should tell His mother. Oh, she put Him up to it? The Holy Family is replete with sinners!!!

>And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit... (Ephesians 5:18)

>Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

So, while we can safely say that recreational consumption of alcohol is okay, we can also very safely say that drunkenness is not okay. I can't tell you exactly where the line between acceptable recreational consumption of alcohol and drunkenness is, but that region does appear to be where the line is located.

As for myself, the only alcohol I consume is my regular dose of Jesus' blood. That doesn't make me better or holier than anyone else. I don't touch it because I don't trust myself, and anyone who can handle it and keep their consumption well below wherever drunkenness starts does no wrong partaking of it.

For some people, one drink is too many. Some can drink one and be fine. Alcohol isn’t inherently evil or anything, it’s just that the devil uses any tools he can to mess things up for us

My opinion ultimately is: Whether you drink or don’t, do so to the glory of God.

Also if you know you have someone in your life who struggles with this sort of thing, use your Christian freedom for their well being. While all things are lawful, not all are helpful. You CAN bust out a keg when you’ve invited a recovering alcoholic over, but you shouldn’t

Jesus turned water into wine for a celebration ~

“(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Moderation is needed.

God turned water into wine. A misuse doesn't exclude a normal healthy use.

>"QUESTION: What is the LCMS’ stance on the consumption of alcohol?

>ANSWER: The Bible nowhere condemns the proper and responsible use (consumption) of alcoholic beverages, and neither does The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

>Scripture does warn strongly and repeatedly against the abuse, misuse or excessive use of alcoholic beverages, and the LCMS has also repeatedly warned against such dangers."

>Source: https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs/lcms-views#alcohol

Since scripture does not forbid responsible consumption, we do not make laws where scripture is silent. Since scripture does speak on the abuse of alcohol, that is a stance that the LCMS can take. Furthermore, if memory serves me, on the whole, Christian denominations that historically maintain the Eucharist with wine, per the scriptures, are typically okay with responsible consumption of alcohol, i.e., Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians. Basically, it is more difficult for these respective denominations to prohibit all alcohol without coming across as hypocrites, when alcohol is prescribed per the scriptures and confessions for the sacrament of the altar. Finally, to my understanding, some Old Testament verses prohibiting the consumption of alcohol are specifically addressing the time and place, i.e., the Nazarites were to abstain from alcohol during their period of vow, not for their entire life, as they eventually rejoined the Israelite community, where they could once again consume alcohol. In the New Testament, St. Paul instructs St. Timothy to consume some wine for the health of his stomach, but we also know from the rest of the scriptures, that St. Timothy was not to drink wine to excess and be a drunkard.

That being said, depending on time, place, and local custom, you'll find LCMS Lutherans who run the gamut, from bold, but responsible, public consumption, to quiet, but private, consumption, to teetotalers. My pastor from my youth liked "a little good German beer" at his home with his close circle of friends and family. He drank quietly and in private, because of the older generation of teetotalers in my congregation, who by and large, have since died in the faith. My current pastor, in clerical tab collar, surprised me when he downed a Lemon Drop shot in public after the server brought one by mistake at a college-age function. Another pastor had no personal taste for alcohol. Basically, knowing who your compatriots are, and the context, is important in matters of Christian freedom. Christian freedom allows me to responsibly drink, but I shouldn't hang out in the parking lot of an AA meeting, tempting fellow sinners with the very object that they struggle with in their sinful lives. Rather, I am called to support them in their endeavors to keep from sinning, including suppressing my desire for a responsible drink, because keeping the faith is more important than my Christian freedom.

My parish is currently a dry campus, probably due to the precedent established by older generations and our Christian neighbors of other denominations who abstain from alcohol entirely (Bible Belt evangelicals, Southern Baptists, etc.). To that end, the conversation is usually about not giving offense to our neighbors or creating stumbling blocks for them in the faith, which is why we remain a dry campus for now, as the possibility, however slight, exists of causing schism within the congregation if we began to allow alcohol on campus. In our case, a dry but united campus is more important than a wet divided one. My brother's LCMS parish in another U.S. state, is a wet campus, and has a Reformation festival carnival, with each legal adult granted two drink tickets, if they purchased them (the beer is donated, so this is also a fundraiser). In that case, the precedent was established, with limited to no offense being given since the practice was established, known, and responsibly executed.

I hope that helps you. If one can drink responsibly, enjoy it, and not give offense, go for it in Christian freedom. If one abuses alcohol or tempts others, then they should not drink. Personally, I try to use the penitential seasons to assess my alcohol consumption and make sure that I have mastery over it, rather than it over me.

Just a fun anecdote: my grandfather used to associate with a small town liquor store owner. The liquor store owner joked that he knew his customers denominations because the Catholics and the Lutherans came in the front door and the Baptists and Methodists came in the back door.