The Bible is very plain in its teaching against the use of alcoholic wine for non-medicinal purposes.  Wine that has been allowed to ferment is not once condoned!  In fact the principle is simply stated, with no reference to a certain amount consumed, in Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
    Many try to build up arguments, based on Bible passages, in support of such “social” drinking, which arguments are unfounded, only to violate plain Bible teaching to the contrary.  In the coming weeks this column will be dedicated to this very problem, and some of these poor arguments will be exposed.
    The fact of the matter is this:  If we are going to deny the Bible in its plain teaching, why do we have it.  Why would we try to use the Bible to approve of actions that are condemned in it?  Look at the following verses and see what the Bible says about alcohol and its dangers (and let it be known what was said of alcohol in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, “The higher nerve functions of the forebrain, such as reasoning, judgment, and social restraint are impaired by very low concentrations of alcohol in the blood.”).  Note that this is just a sampling of the verses against the drinking of alcohol.
    Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
    Romans 13:13, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
    I Corinthians 6:10, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
    Galatians 5:21, “Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
    Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
    Finally, think of the influence that you may have on another who sees you, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (I Thessalonians 5:21,22)
    I have a file full of information bespeaking the ills of alcohol.  One doctor, Sidney Cohen, referred to it as the most dangerous drug on earth.  Would you take, or allow your child to take, a little of another drug, that is in moderation, or “socially”?  A little marijuana, cocaine, etc.?  As the Bible suggests even a little alcohol should be avoided!
    (Part 2) Last week we laid the groundwork for answering this question, and I had planned on addressing specific arguments used by those who would support “social” drinking.  That will be postponed a week at which time we will study about Christ turning water to wine at the marriage feast in Cana (just a hint the text indicates that if that was alcoholic He sinned-the Bible says He didn’t [I Peter 2:22]).
    This week I would like to go a little further into some of the basics, building upon the foundation laid last week, and really the week before.  We looked at a quote by Dr. Sidney Cohen that stated that alcohol was the most dangerous drug.  Notice the words of Dr. Haven Emerson of Columbia University, "“he higher qualities of the mind are first rubbed out by alcohol.  The delicate capacities of intellectual decision, choice, discretion and willpower are those faculties that are first dulled and then wiped out by alcohol because they are least capable of withstanding its toxic effects.”
    My question:  How many drinks (in moderation or otherwise) does it take before the toxicity of alcohol is realized?  The answer:  The first drink!  Otherwise the alcohol one second is harmless and the next is harmful, and that point would vary  by individual; meaning that no one could  know when they were actually drinking safely.  The only safe drink is no drink.
    Many turn to Ephesians 5:18 to support drinking in moderation, but a closer study of the word drunk there is representative of the process that starts the moment the first drink touches the body.  Vine’s defines drunk there, “to make drunk, or to grow drunk, or to become intoxicated.”  Young, “to begin to be softened.”  Bloomfield, “to moisten, to be moistened with liquor.”  Bulfinger, “to grow drunk.”  Thayer, “to get drunk, become intoxicated.”  It is not the excess that is condemned in that passage, it is the process itself!
    Over the next couple of weeks we will address the subject more fully.  If you want to see that last two articles, please visit our web site or contact us for a copy.