Mark Driscoll: 3 Christian Perspectives on Drinking Alcohol and Which One Is Wrong
Arizona-based Trinity Church Pastor Mark Driscoll has analyzed the often-asked question of whether Christians should be consuming alcohol, and noted that while different churches have different traditions on the matter, he would not agree with those who advocate for prohibition.
Driscoll looked at the question through a personal, historical, and scriptural lens, and said that because of his family history of alcohol abuse, he abstained from drinking until the age of 30.
"I didn't drink any alcohol until I was 30 years of age. I abstained, I was just afraid I might get into trouble," the pastor said in a video posted on his website Monday.
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"I wanted to obey my conscience. My wife, meanwhile, there was no alcohol abuse in her family history, and so she didn't have a problem having a glass of wine with dinner early on in our marriage, and I didn't judge her, she didn't judge me."
He said that when he reached the age of 30, he felt God telling him that it was OK to "consume in moderation."
Driscoll explored the history of alcohol throughout Europe, including the experiences of the Reformers, and the Puritans, and found that brewing and making alcohol was tied to a good number of Christian practices.
The pastor took a look at three of the main Christian positions when it comes to drinking alcohol, and argued that it is important to remember that Jesus Himself made wine and shared in drink with people throughout the Bible.
For that, he argued that those that hold the prohibitionist position, which forbids any kind of alcohol consumption, are off the mark.
"That's a difficult position to hold, because throughout Scripture, God's people partake in alcohol consumption, sometimes in worship to God," Driscoll said.
"I don't believe the prohibition position is a good one," he added.
Next he looked at the abstentionist position, which does not believe that drinking alcohol is a sin, but still encourages people out of love not to partake in it, because of the dangers it might bring about.
"At least some of the time, the abstentionist position is a good one," Driscoll said, noting that he had also abstained from alcohol in certain parts of his life.
"There are times that we give it up out of love and care for others."
He further emphasized that a problem arises when people try to force their own views onto others.
"The problem is when my conscience has a problem, and I want to bind your conscience," he said.
Finally, Driscoll talked about the moderationist position, which is OK with drinking alcohol within moderation, and said that he finds himself in this category.
Still, he warned that taking such a position is not an excuse for getting drunk.
"According to the Bible, all drunkenness is a sin," the pastor reminded, warning that drunkenness could also lead to sexual sin, physical harm, and addiction.
He also said it is always important to submit to godly authorities and the rules of the land when it comes to alcohol laws.
Driscoll has been answering a number of reader questions in recent weeks concerning social issues affecting Christians, and last week also explored the question of whether Christians should play video games.
