Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land” Hosea 4:1

The term translated “controversy” in this passage is from the Hebrew word meaning “strife, dispute, esp. dispute, controversy, case at law” (Brown, Driver, Briggs, pp. 986-987). The northern kingdom had lost its way by being ignorant of true knowledge (cf. Hosea 4:6). Such is not uncommon among people today on various topics. This article will address the first of three controversial subjects of which people have strong views, even to the defense of what the Bible forbids both explicitly and implicitly.     

1. Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages.   Let’s face it. Alcoholic beverage usage is everywhere. Heads of state toast other heads of state with it. Tailgating at major sporting events without alcohol is considered by many an awkward setting. Alcoholic drink is considered by the world to be appropriate at weddings, post-graduation parties or any social event where adults are gathered to “have a good time.” Music, movies, advertisements and the like promote it. Nevertheless, the Bible is not silent about its dangers and destructive nature. A Christian who does not participate in it when others surrounding are imbibing raises the question “Why don’t you drink?”  Solomon wrote, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20:1). Solomon wrote an entire section on this subject in Proverbs 23:29-35 especially addressing the addictive nature of the drink. The only scriptural usage of it is seen in Proverbs 31:6-7 to be given as medical treatment. This is in harmony with 1 Timothy 5:23. The world and even some professing Christians who desire to drink alcoholic beverages as an “adult beverage” do not see the above passages as dealing with their situation.

Consider two passages in the New Testament that must be taken into consideration concerning this controversial topic. Paul wrote to the Ephesian brethren, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Here is an explicit forbidding command concerning drinking alcoholic drink as would have been practiced by the Greek/Roman world. The tense of the verb forbidding drinking wine is present tense. This denotes the continual usage of the substance which would lead to excess. One has no danger of getting drunk where one does not start the process. Peter wrote, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles - when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3, NKJV). The New King James Version accurately translates the word “banquetings” (1 Peter 4:3, KJV). These Christians no longer participating in such were considered “strange” (1 Peter 4:4) and ill spoken of. One should note here that drunkenness and drinking parties are two different items. The argument that one is allowed to drink as long as he does not get intoxicated is unsustainable here. All interpretations of other passages involving wine, strong drink, etc. must take these passages into view.                                                                                                Jimmy Clark