The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. As Ive said to some of my studentstongue and cheek, of course: Look, if I drive by your house at 7 a.m. and I see your girlfriends car outside, Im not going to assume that she slept on the couch. And the same is true of the young freshman who looks up to these studentswho inevitably says: If thats what good Catholics do, then it must be OK.. Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 is trying to drive that home. Contact us toll-free at: (833) 843-2673. Heres Ephesians 5:18. And in Ecclesiastes 9:7, the prophet is clear that we should enjoy alcohol as a gift from God: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Academy of Catholic Theology, and a senior fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. More on that later. 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). So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. We dont need to avoid those things just because they might do us harm. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. What does the Bible say about drinking? Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. People drink for various reasons. Share your review! 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). Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12). 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. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. 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? And many of us drink without knowing our limits. The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). Is it a sin to drink alcohol on Sundays? : r/Catholicism - Reddit Ideally a Catholic should always be striving to do the best at every moment. Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14 says that wine is a blessing from God and a few chapters later it says having no wine is a curse (Deuteronomy 28:38, 51). Is drinking alcohol a sin? In other words we should be considerate of others struggles. For the sake of the common good we drive on the right side of the road, it is illegal to drive on the left. But getting drunk is a sin. As the State divorces itself more and more from the natural law we will want to increase our young peoples ability to detach from the State as a moral gate keeper while still giving the State its rightful place to regulate the common good. He lives with his wife Sarah and their four children in Atchison, Kansas. 11:1819). What does the New Testament have to say about all of this? Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. God created it for joyful celebration, as seen repeatedly in the Bible 1. The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). 14:21). I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? I once had a Methodist pastor tell me of a friend who was caught drinking at a party by one of his parishioners. I think the scripture has this, near occasion for sin. But other things that are licit or good things, like alcohol or foodI can be a glutton, too. I have to say, Ive been drunk once in my life and I didnt realize it. Yet, even if you dont drink and drive, excessive alcohol consumption greatly impairs your ability to reason. The reality is there isnt a single verse in the Bible that forbids drinking in moderation. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. Throughout the Old Testament alcohol is seen as a blessing from God. We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. Is getting drunk a mortal sin? Catechism 101: Is it a Sin to Drink Alcohol? Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? We try to help our readers better understand their lives; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for any professional medical guidance. Does that mean that even an occasional cigar is a sin? Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. He is author ofNature and Grace,John Paul II to Aristotle and Back Again, andSpiritual Survival in the Modern World. 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. If you go 1 mile per hour over, you are breaking the law. In some cases there are benefits to drinking. What does the Bible say about drinking? For starters, if you choose to be drunk in your own free will, then that is considered a sin. I would say also the same with sports. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. How would you have answered these questions: Is drinking a sin? In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. You may have the conviction that it is allowable to drink alcohol in moderation. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Sometimes. That's adding to the Bible, it doesn't say that. In short, I have found that this is often the last step in a radical conversionmuch like modesty for many women. 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. You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. 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? Is drinking a sin? And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. And such a habit will spare you a lot of grief throughout your life. Under that logic, we should all get rid of our money to fend off materialism. Similarly, dont drink in a situation where it could lead someone else to sin. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is nothing more than making use of what God has provided and is not a sinful act. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! The Bible holds drinking in tension. If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Especially as we continue to face a State that is becoming more draconian in its laws. The problem, however, comes when one abuses alcohol. Here, he instructs us to radically avoid the near occasion of sin. Would I do so if a police car was parked on the side of the road? 3). 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. But whether its a venial sin or a mortal sin depends on the circumstances. St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. We are our brothers keeper, and this is true spiritually as well. Would I go to confession for it? For starters, Jesus drank. 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. With all good things, we must practice moderation. Moreover, you might want to be careful not to build your social life around drinking. I think we can see by now that the answer is no, drinking is not a sin. Dont forget to share your thoughts! In some places, it is described as a bringer of joy and a signifier of Gods blessings. Some religious groups view alcohol as a gift from God, one that allows the spirit to enter the body. Le Ann is a writer, editor, speaker, wife, and mom who enjoys the Southern California lifestyle, including flip-flops, the beach, riding electric bicycles along the 101,and an occasional salted caramel Americano from Lofty Coffee in Solana Beach. aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. The Church, then does not consider consuming alcohol to be sinful, however, it does caution against drinking in excess. What if the Sate forbid having more than two children (China), would it be a sin to get pregnant with the third? With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: is drinking a sin? But anyone who wants to claim drinking is a sin has to face the sometimes positive light the Bible talks about alcohol in. While wine may not have contained as much alcohol in ancient times as it does today, fermented beverages in biblical times clearly had the capacity to make people drunk. Leave a comment below! Outright disobedience to the civil law must be treated with the utmost seriousness. In these articles that are intended to accompany The Catechism in a Year podcast, we will present a travel guide through the major themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And thats why the Bible warns against getting drunk on wine. In this latter case the intoxication would be a venial sin. If you become dependent on alcohol, seek help. Would that be sinful? That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. 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. We meet every second Saturday of the month at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. Thats why Paul said,I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.(1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Alcohol consumption is a tough topic, because it is associated with both joyful and tragic situations. What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for Here are a few of them: Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:18. The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns drunken excess and illegal drugs in #2290-2291: The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess:. Alcohol is simply a gift, not our end goal. This is why combining drinking alcohol with the operation of any kind of machinery, including a motor vehicle, is so dangerous. And does it matter in which methods you use, or is it just a sin? 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. But I think that its a matter of being moderate about things. Second, each person has a particular tolerance to alcohol, and each person has to learn his limits. Biblical and Catholic Teaching on the Use of Alcohol Drinking alcoholic beverages is not a sin. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:21). We may lose influence because of the choices we make. Nothing should hinder that. This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. Can Catholics drink alcohol? - Get Fed