Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. 5:8). In my experience, underage drinking tends to go hand-in-hand with a culture of lukewarmness, a general lowering of zeal, and a subtle openness to other forms of sin. You must have a strong resolve and an equally strong sense of self-discipline. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. People drink for various reasons. For instance, Proverbs 21:17. The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. Jesus drank wine and was falsely accused of being a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). But when taken in moderation, it can lead to a great time and awesome memories with friends. There are lots of bible verses about drinking and drunkenness. 31:45). But is it a sin? Just because alcohol can be abused doesnt mean it needs to be avoided. What is the relationship between Catholics and alcohol? I disagree that you can be justifiably upset for getting pulled over at 3 over the speed limit. Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do.. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. There are certain cultures and countries where drinking would prohibit the spread of the Gospel. That's adding to the Bible, it doesn't say that. Exactly where our actions become sin. St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. In fact, we even have a sacramental wine or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. Is Drinking A Sin? (what the Bible REALLY says) - Rethink This does have its good points, a people who slavishly follow the laws of the State make for a well ordered society, and it does help keep people from being lax and disregarding State law as unimportant. Now that weve looked at what the Bible says about alcohol lets switch over to application. The ideal is that you dont want to get to the point where you feel overly giddy or lose coordination of your limbs, etc. Some people can take several bottles of beer and they are fine. Should a Christian Date Someone with a History of Sexual Sin in Their Life. (1 Cor. Use your judgment and maybe talk to your priest to hear their opinion. I said Id take a glass of Sangria, they said, We dont make it by the glass, only by the pitcher. So they brought a pitcher of sangria, and it didnt taste like alcohol to me, it just tastes like grape juice, so I drank the whole pitcher. This is true both in the Old and New Testament. However, in trying to convince Catholic minors not to drink in a party atmosphere arguments like this need to be used. So by all means, alcoholic drinks are not evil. I personally have experienced both of these situations. If we indulge in these worldly pleasures, we wont be able to share in his suffering. The Real Catholic Teaching on Underage Drinking She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. We hope we were able to answer your question, is it a sin to get drunk? It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. Other examples of abusing good things include overdosing on medicine, neglecting your health and family because of work, and even eating too much chocolate cake. For example, waiting a few more years to drink in America (21 years old) compared to Spain (16 years old) is not unjust. Learn how your comment data is processed. And does it matter in which methods you use, or is it just a sin? And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. In many states, its legal for someone to drink underage in the presence of their parentsso thats not an issue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. We meet every second Saturday of the month at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. Alcohol is complicated, and today many dont know what the Catholic Church teaches about it. Trevor creates content for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) in Denver, CO. Before that he served as a FOCUS missionary. Alcoholic drinks, specifically wine, is mentioned many times in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus constantly reached out to sinners, but never in compromising situations. Many Christians completely abstain from consuming any alcohol, since they believe Scripture declares it to be sinful. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. 2023 Ascension Press. Is drinking a sin isnt the only question we should ask. We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Is drinking alcohol a sin? - CompellingTruth.org What does the Bible say about drinking? And as modern medicine advances theres much better options to deal with issues. Thats why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. The sinfulness of those effects might depend on circumstances. We are our brothers keeper, and this is true spiritually as well. Is it only a near occasion of sin? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. This teaching is echoed in the New Testament . So what about praying while feeling the effects? To legalistically use the State to reinforce sin does not help matters. This is why so many Scripture passages warn against excessive consumption of wine and strong drink (a beverage containing a significant amount of alcohol; some Bible verses that mention "strong drink" include Lev. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. If you enjoy alcohol, try fasting from it for a time. Read on to learn more. I would say also the same with sports. St. Paul writes: For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? He is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. Ive drank too much in my life, but Ive only been drunk once in my life, and that was when I had heard that you had to try Sangria, its really good. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. This can be in situations wherein your primary intention for drinking isnt for relaxation, or socialization but for intoxication. age restrictions for alcohol consumption, intoxication level limits while driving a vehicle, etc.) This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. Its become a societal norm to celebrate things over food and drinks. No. Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. | Sunday Its sort like of this: if you want to be a Jediif you want to go, in with Christthis is what it takes: for at that point, there is. When he pointed out to the scandalized person that Jesus also drank wine, the response was, I know, I never liked that about him. Such has been Americas somewhat abnormal relationship with liqueur. Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons: No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 441 views, 5 likes, 2 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church: Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. Very early in the morning, stopped at a desolate intersection, after stopping, I have run through a red light, thus breaking the law. That is, Jesus was not with sinners. OpenBible.com lists 75 passages from the Bible about drinking alcohol. Each person is in a unique situation and will have to determine this themselves. Theres no standard marker that signifies when youve crossed over into the sin of drunkenness. We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. Lets look at a traffic example. monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS data. Theres also no verse that classifies exactly how many drinks you can have and exactly what drunk is. For this reason, in order for the analogy to hold, one would have to compare underage drinking to something like going twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. Here at RCSpirtiuality, we develop and produce online Catholic resources to help all of us grow as Complete Christians. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. Whats the wisest and most loving thing for me to do. In State laws that are meant to protect the common good it would be a sin only if the action does in fact hurt the common good. an unjust law. The Bible holds drinking in tension. Even though these actions were done out of your own free will because of your drunkenness, you are still held responsible for them, as you chose to be in the state of intoxication deliberately. Or if youre an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying Ill just have one is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Go to Nightclubs?, Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Read the Bible on My Own?, Ask a Priest: What If My Friends Family Doesnt Accept My Annulment?, Spiritual Smoothie: The Christian Difference, Ask a Priest: How Do I Respond to Attacks on the Church?. We should also consider how it effects those around us. The early Christians in America ranged in their views on drinking alcohol. Or even more important and moral, I would not want to put the police officer in the awkward position of feeling obligated to chase me down for something that hurt no one if in fact he thought he actually had a moral responsibility to do such a trivial thing. Here, he instructs us to, . Catholics are welcome to drink and appreciate alcohol. The Litany of Humility: What Is It and Where Did It. Who would readily believe such a thing? In order to pass through this threshold, one has to move beyond simply asking: At what point have I done something wrong? in a minimalistic way, to asking: Are these actionsthese movies, these parties, etc.taking me. Jesus is our King who rules over us not in an oppressive way, but rather to care for us, protect us from harm, and grow us in holiness through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. In other words the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! To be morally mature one must distinguish between State laws that exist because they protect the natural law, and State laws that exist only to protect the common good. This shows how alcoholic drinks are not evil, God allowed alcoholic drinks to be made and be part of our lives, as it is something that belongs to a celebration. They drank alcohol during many social functions, including church events like ordinations. What does the Bible say about drinking? But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. If you are in a country where you have to be above a certain age in order to legally consume alcohol, then it is sinful to break the law. In the middle of the 19th Century, alcoholism was wide spread in America and thus there were many successful attempts to limit its use by pointing out its moral deficiency. It is true that many of the wines probably had a slightly lower ABV (Alcohol by Volume) than todays wine. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. Is drinking a sin catholic - St. Anthony's Catholic Church First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for A positive criterion might be this: When you feel relaxed, that is a good time to stop drinking. Have you ever found yourself giving gifts to others while neglecting to give gifts to yourself? In order to pass through this threshold, one has to move beyond simply asking: At what point have I done something wrong? in a minimalistic way, to asking: Are these actionsthese movies, these parties, etc.taking me toward or away from my ultimate end? And further, one asks this same question with respect to those who may be influenced by my actionseither by knowing me directly or by reputation: am I helping or hindering their pursuit of their ultimate end? Jesus had the following to say regarding people who criticized him for drinking alcohol: For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Look at him! Rather we should see them as they are intended and not elevate them to an unhealthy level. As Catholics, we are required to respect the civil governing authority assuming that they are working for the common good and that the law is not unjust. But its important to address this with our Catholic leaders because every year other new budding Catholic leaders (i.e., freshmen) watch their exampleand then imitate it in the ensuing years. If youre interested to know more about the depths of sin and how it is part of our daily lives, and how we can overcome it, we suggest for you to check out our posts on Is it a Sin to Overeat? But it is not Catholic. Is getting drunk a mortal sin? By using this website you are agreeing to our privacy policy. performed while intoxicated were not freely willed in themselves, they were willed in their causenamely, deliberate drunkenessand so the drinker is responsible for them as though he had chosen them deliberately. But in the first century there were certain benefits to light drinking. they were sinning (or even came close to it). And lets not forget that Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine And no it wasnt grape juice. When you are in a state of drunkenness, your ability to make more conscious and informed decisions tend to get blurred and resort to more slow or poor judgment. In fact, Paul tells Timothy, Drink a little wine for your stomachs sake. I think Timothy was nervous and shy, and hed get, like, his stomach would get sick, and so Paul said Have a few glasses of wine and relax.. So you see, drinking alcohol is not a mortal sin. All Rights Reserved. So when Christians say that its a sin to drink they are adding rules to the Bible. As far as I know, the only day of the year that you're not supposed to drink alcohol is Good Friday, but even . What does the Bible say about drinking? Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12). The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). Cheers! Part of developing into a mature Christian is recognizing that we are given both freedom and responsibility. It's forbidden. Our true dependence should be on God. It is important to remember that even if gravely wrong actions (fornication, violence, etc.) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. Getting drunk can be caused by different situations and some of them may or may not be a sin. Is it a sin to drink alcohol on Sundays? : r/Catholicism - Reddit Like the one we are asking, is drinking a sin? That is not to say that in a culture where underage drinking leads to other moral problems a strong case could not be made that a minor having a drink is hurting the common good and thus a sin. Answer: Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. Alcoholic drinks are accessible and available everywhere. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. If youre an alcoholic, and having a drink brings you near to the place where you are gonna lose control, that could be viewed as a sin. For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? We may lose influence because of the choices we make. (Only if a law is clearly unjustsuch as with Martin Luther King, Jr.s disobedience of segregation lawsshould a law be disobeyed). For an upperclassmen to lead an underage underclassmen into sineither by encouragement or examplefits Jesus words exactly. Some people think that its a necessary evil and that celebrations arent complete without alcohol. Living a life dedicated to God makes as much sense as the sunshine in our world. Just log in or create your free account. Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isnt a sin, but overindulging in it can be. There are some topics that the Bible never gives a straight answer. In short, I have found that this is often the last step in a radical conversionmuch like modesty for many women. Catholics & Bible do not intend to provide any health related advice. But on the other hand it warns of the damaging effects it can have if its abused. Your example of moderate (or no) drinking can be a very powerful example to those around you. aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. Which view is correct? With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: is drinking a sin? If I eat too much and I stuff myself like a pig, then I could say Oh my goodness, I just sinned through the sin of gluttony, and then the near occasion of that. We got one recently saying how someone was shocked we were promoting the consumption of poison on our show. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Just because something CAN lead to abuse doesnt mean it has to be avoided. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. 10:31). Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. from my ultimate end? And further, one asks this same question with respect to those who may be influenced by my actionseither by knowing me directly or by reputation: am I helping or hindering their pursuit of their ultimate end? It is illegal to run a red light. The apostle Peter reminds believers, Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. St. Paul tell us, So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Would I go to confession for it? Here, he instructs us to radically avoid the near occasion of sin. Is drinking a sin? What if the Sate forbid having more than two children (China), would it be a sin to get pregnant with the third? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Regarding intoxication, Wikipedia gives this rather technical passage: Symptoms of alcohol intoxication include euphoria, flushed skin and decreased social inhibition at lower doses, with larger doses producing progressively severe impairments of balance, muscle coordination (ataxia), and decision-making ability (potentially leading to violent or erratic behavior) as well as nausea or vomiting from alcohols disruptive effect on the semicircular canals of the inner ear and chemical irritation of the gastric mucosa. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. You will never leave an impact on anyone if you just hold onto your freedoms and do what you want. Why would a State that allows 19 year old people go to war, have abortions, smoke marijuana, have a sex change operation, marry and divorce, not allow 19 year old people to have a drink at a bar? Something else to consider is the health effect of smoking. So, what I want to do is take a look at what the Bible says about alcohol and then look if Christians should drink. Lets jump in, what does the Bible say about drinking? As to your specific questions: First, if you are under the legal drinking age, you would do well to respect the law. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. What Miracles Did Pope John Paul II Perform? Share your review! Also, if we were pulled over for going three miles per hour over the speed limit, we would be justifiably upsetbecause such an action would contradict nearly universal custom in terms of the enforcement of speeding laws in our country. However, it is well worth it. I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? 1o4:1415). The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. We dont need to avoid those things just because they might do us harm. Church Planter. by Dr. Andrew Swafford | Sep 12, 2018 | Formation | 4 comments. This is absurd. Sins of priest and bishops that were crimes were at times treated with great seriousness. The Catholic Church does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol. 5:23) Jesus had the following to say regarding people who criticized him for drinking alcohol: Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life. Not only has it not been condemned, but beer and wine have played a role in church tradition. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 is trying to drive that home. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol? Where a culture of underage drinking prevails as the norm (and especially among otherwise serious Catholics), at a point having one or two social drinks turns into three or four (or five and six and beyond); and all of a sudden, those who were steadfast against drunkennessbut who insisted that underage drinking is OKfind themselves occasionally on the brink of drunkenness (and sometimes well past that point). Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. As the popes have pointed out many times, the modern age has lost its sense of sin. It helps strengthen our control over our bodily desires and avoid unhealthy attachment to the material world. Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). If we consume so much that we cannot properly make decisions, we go too far. No. What does the Bible say about drinking? Finally, a little tea, coffee, chocolate or such like beverage together with a morsel of bread or a cracker is now allowed in the morning. Another possible explanation for the apparent acceptability of alcohol consumption in the Bible is that the wine back then most likely contained lower levels of alcohol and was therefore less intoxicating. So when I was in Spain, I ordered a Sangria. Absolutely not. Caller: Yes, and I guess the one last thing is: if you are an addict and have a history of problems with that, to even just have one or two, does that matter? Copyright 2023 Core Christianity. In some cases there are benefits to drinking. Biblical and Catholic Teaching on the Use of Alcohol Drinking of wine and alcohol is fine, its one of the reasons I became Catholic. But whether its a venial sin or a mortal sin depends on the circumstances. Its a grey area of the Bible. What would happen if we went all in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. Paul told Timothy, Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness (1 Timothy 5:23). The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. A healthy moral intelligence is able to judge well the competency of any lawgiver and the purpose of the law. Alcohol use impairs a person's judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Alcohol is not evil in itself. Alcoholic drinks have been around since 5400BC, which means the availability of fermented beverages was around even before Jesus arrived. He believes it is more important than ever before to help people find a genuine faith. Then they go on to define drunkenness as setting in only when one blacks out. There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. And there were many monks that brewed their own beer. In fact the benedictine monks I spent a few days with break out wine and beer after dinner on Sundays. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others safety on the road, at sea, or in the air., Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2290. Excessive eating is also . Enjoy wine, beer, or any other alcoholic beverage if you so choose, but only as is honoring to Christ and your fellow human beings. Some verses warn about the dangers of alcohol while others talk about it as a blessing. Jesus own mother, Mary, actually brought the situation to his attention (John 2:35). Complete this form to receive the weekly email and create a FREE account, which provides access to member only content. To sum it up, God created wine and drinking for our enjoyment. I once had a Methodist pastor tell me of a friend who was caught drinking at a party by one of his parishioners. No. Anyone who aspires to do the same as us, and is a confirmed Catholic is welcome to join us! As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). This seems to approach relativism in my opinion. Drunkenness is indeed a grave sin. When one looks at the priest scandal, a curious thing arises. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources. Drinking alcoholic beverages needs to be approached with maturity, wisdom, restraint, and most of all, love for God and our neighbor (Mark 12:3031). But anyone who wants to claim drinking is a sin has to face the sometimes positive light the Bible talks about alcohol in. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldnt be a sin. Paul also exhorts Christians to abstain from drinking alcohol in situations where doing so could cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom. Neither the Bible nor the Catholic Church prohibit the partaking of alcohol. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. You can order it in a restaurant, or a bar, and even buy it from your local grocery shop. Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022March 22, 2021 | Featured, What Does the Bible Say About What does the Bible say about drinking? In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you. Nothing should hinder that.