WESTSIDE — I was asked the other day whether I was a teetotaler. While it may be somewhat dangerous for a Lutheran to share his opinions on the matter publicly in a dry county and a mostly Baptist and Methodist part of the world, I'll tell you that I'm not and also explain my reasons.
No, I am not a teetotaler and do not believe in teetotalism; but neither am I a wine-bibber or drunkard. While I certainly understand the need for those who have troubles with alcoholic beverages to practice total abstinence, I cannot and will not accuse someone who on occasion drinks in moderation - not to the point of intoxicationor impairment - of doing wrong or sinning against God.
Why? Because the Bible nowhere condemns drinking in moderation - except in the case of those under certain vows and those holding certain offices. The Bible, on the other hand, does say, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit....” (Eph. 5:18). It also requires of pastors and deacons in the churches that they not “be given to wine” (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1), yet Paul also wrote to Timothy: “Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Tim. 5:23).
That Jesus Himself drank wine cannot be questioned.He not only turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana - six stone waterpots full, containing 20 to 30 gallons apiece - He says He came eating and drinking (Matt. 11:18-19). And though many churches substitute grape juice for wine in the Lord's Supper, there can be no serious question that the liturgical expressions “cup of blessing” and “fruit of the vine” used in the Passover referred to wine.
This, of course, is no license for abusing alcoholic beverages. Drunkenness is warned against in Romans 13:13, and the New Testament says that those who practice drunkenness will “not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor.6:9-10).
I suppose, to be added to this discussion would be the Christian's responsibility to obey government (cf. Rom. 13:1ff.). That means whether intoxication and impairment begins at the set legal limits or not, Christians, if they drink, need to use care to remain under the legal limit before taking the wheel, which for most folks means any more than a glass of beer or small glass of wine will be too much.
Another issue to be considered is the matter of giving offense, or causing another to sin against his or her conscience. A Christian will never want his liberty under the Gospel to cause another to sin and possibly even fall from the faith. And, in many cases, that may make it necessary even for a Christian who knows it is not sin to drink in moderation to abstain altogether so as not to cause another Christian to sin against his or her conscience. For example, if I have a friendwho is a teetotaler for religious reasons and believes it sinful and wrong to drink, I would be causing him to sin if I drank a glass of wine in his presence and caused him to violate his own conscience and drink.Why, because he would be doing what he believed to be wrong even if the act in itself was innocent. The same would be true if I offered a beer or glass of wine to someone who has a weakness in regard to alcohol and is unable to stop drinking once he has that first sip. I would be causing him to slip into drunkenness. And the Bible warns against causing a weaker brother or sister to fall (Rom. 14:21).
But to be a teetotaler and demand that everyone be so is in many ways condemning a gift of God because of the abuse of it. We do this in so many ways today. Criminals use guns to commit crimes; therefore we seek to outlaw guns in spite of good and lawful uses. Certainfoods and products can be harmful if abused or used without moderation; therefore, some seek to ban them altogether. Wine is considered a blessing of God in the Bible (cf. Gen. 27 and 49) and was used in offerings toGod (Ex. 29:40). But as man does with most good gifts of God, people tend to abuse wine and other alcoholic drink. But instead of banning the gift, wouldn't it be wiser to ban and punish the abuse?
Now, with all that said, I am almost a teetotaler in practice because I am not that fond of alcoholic drinks. It's a rare thing for me to drink a glass of wine or a beer because a glass of tea just sounds much better - does that make me a tea-totaller in the sense of drinking tea totally? Not quite; I drink lots of coffee too. But, so far, I can drink all the tea I want and not be over the legal limit or offend anybody with my drinking habits. I probably reach my quota on that with my opinion pieces.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll@ nwaonline .com.
Opinion, Pages 6 on 07/06/2011