Lets hear from you! Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. 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). God created it for joyful celebration, as seen repeatedly in the Bible 1. No. What about underage drinking? 10:31). This seems to approach relativism in my opinion. For instance Ecclesiastes 9:7. Can a Christian Drink? | Catholic Answers Alcohol is a funny guy. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you don't slip into drunkenness. Just because it works for you that typically you dont get pulled over, does not make it not against the law. Only you can really judge what your limit should be. by Dr. Andrew Swafford | Sep 12, 2018 | Formation | 4 comments. John Calvin had a 250-gallon wine stipend written into his church contract. Sometimes you have to give up something so that you can gain influence in someones life to help them see the change they need to make. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. How should we approach alcoholic drinks as Catholics? He also drunk and was even accused by the Pharisees as a drunkard: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Luke 7:34. Drunkenness is indeed a grave sin. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. It wasnt until recently that Christians started to ask, is drinking a sin? Over time and as such a culture becomes predominantagain, amidst otherwise serious Catholicsthe general temperature of their zeal for holiness begins to go down; they often still go through the Catholic motions, but the vigor and vitality that comes from knowing Jesus personallyto the point where one gives him their entire lifesubsides. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is nothing more than making use of what God has provided and is not a sinful act. One aspect of the sinfulness of drunkenness is also how it impacts your health and body. It's forbidden. He is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. Answer: You apparently have received unreliable information on what many Catholic priests believe. Here's What Baptists Believe about Drinking Alcohol On the other hand, everyone reading this most likely knows someone who has been hurt in some way because of alcohol. If youre interested to know more about the depths of sin and how it is part of our daily lives, and how we can overcome it, we suggest for you to check out our posts on Is it a Sin to Overeat? For instance, take this verse from the Old Testament: He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivatebringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. Psalm 104:14-15. Believers who feel it is safer not to drink any alcohol have the freedom to abstain. However we know from the Bible that the wine still had plenty of kick in it to get wasted on. Heres a quick guide to clear things up. No. 441 views, 5 likes, 2 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church: Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Paul also exhorts Christians to abstain from drinking alcohol in situations where doing so could cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom. Is it a sin to drink alcohol on Sundays? : r/Catholicism - Reddit Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned. Theres no standard marker that signifies when youve crossed over into the sin of drunkenness. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. 5:1521). There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? A radical conversiona person set on fire for Jesus Christdoes this with respect to his own life and with respect to his impact upon others. Because young people under 21 tend to to have a higher propensity than older people to drink, get drunk, and drive recklessly. 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 drinking was such a part of peoples everyday life back then. If ever in doubt about whether you crossed the line, then just go to confession and put it behind you and resolve not to cross the line again. There are certain lines that aregoing out and committing adultery, theres no question about that. A: It is good to hear that you have entered the Church. So when I was in Spain, I ordered a Sangria. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Is Getting Drunk A Mortal Sin? Catholics & Bible For the sake of the common good we drive on the right side of the road, it is illegal to drive on the left. 4). Sam is a founder and editor of Catholics & Bible. In reality, the exact opposite is true. It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. The spread of the Gospel is more important. As to your specific questions: First, if you are under the legal drinking age, you would do well to respect the law. In fact, the Bible says. Theres always something left for us to turn over to the Lord; and as I said, for many college students, underage drinking is the last thing to go. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Especially as we continue to face a State that is becoming more draconian in its laws. In short, I have found that this is often the last step in a radical conversionmuch like modesty for many women. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It is important to remember that even if gravely wrong actions (fornication, violence, etc.) It deprives you of judgment and reason, gifts that God has given us to lead a righteous life. In other words we should be considerate of others struggles. Not only is it not, but among Greek-speakers, the Lenten discipline of abstinence from wine is relaxed on Sundays. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from ( Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12 ). It may be imprudent on my part to suggest this example; but underage students use this excuse in spades and I dont think theyre on the same level (that is, underage drinking and going 3 mph over the speed limit). So I think if someone has a propensity to alcoholism and to not being able to control it, I think it would be considered a sin to go and tempt yourself there; but I think each one of those is kind of between you and God. Or if you're an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying "I'll just have one" is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. And thats why we generally arent nervous when driving five miles per hour over the speed limit with a policeman immediately behind us. But observing such a dynamic over several years, I can only conclude that rather than seriously evangelizing others, the purported evangelizers simply begin to lose their spiritual edge. If we indulge in these worldly pleasures, we wont be able to share in his suffering. This is absurd. But, if other people see you drinking or purchasing alcohol, and by that are led to go against . No. So what about praying while feeling the effects? It is true that many of the wines probably had a slightly lower ABV (Alcohol by Volume) than todays wine. 10:9; Isa. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldn't be a sin. I think we can see by now that the answer is no, drinking is not a sin. In some states like Texas its perfectly legal to drink with parental supervision. What does the New Testament have to say about all of this? Then they go on to define drunkenness as setting in only when one blacks out. The Bible holds drinking in tension. What would happen if we went all in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? For instance, Proverbs 21:17. So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. I would say also the same with sports. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. Under that logic, we should all get rid of our money to fend off materialism. The Real Catholic Teaching on Underage Drinking Are we even allowed to drink? It is one of Gods good gifts that can beand often isabused (Psa. But in moderation, it is encouraged. All rights reserved. Leave a comment below! Other examples of abusing good things include overdosing on medicine, neglecting your health and family because of work, and even eating too much chocolate cake. No, I think that youre correct. We even have patron saints of beer, wine, hangovers, and alcoholics (St. Augustine, St. Urban, St. Bibiana, and St. Monica respectively). Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. Its more or less recognized that going five miles per hour over the speed limit is still within the bounds of the law. The principle is clear: charity demands that we take into account how our actions affect others. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. That same person might do well to skip the second or third beer if he has to drive a car afterward. A person who is at home and plans to stay at home might be able to have a second or third beer without any problem (read: without sin). St. Paul explains: Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. When he pointed out to the scandalized person that Jesus also drank wine, the response was, I know, I never liked that about him. Such has been Americas somewhat abnormal relationship with liqueur. is it a sin to get drunk? The biggest reason intoxication/drunkenness is considered sinful is because it makes it easier to commit other sins. I have no argument with the purpose of the law, and perhaps it is even a good law, but that does not necessarily make it a sin to break it. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldnt be a sin. What Miracles Did Pope John Paul II Perform? Nothing should hinder that. Thats not a matter of moderation. A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. (Matt. If youre an alcoholic, and having a drink brings you near to the place where you are gonna lose control, that could be viewed as a sin. This shows how alcoholic drinks are not evil, God allowed alcoholic drinks to be made and be part of our lives, as it is something that belongs to a celebration. 1 Timothy 5: 23. Drinking of wine and alcohol is fine, its one of the reasons I became Catholic. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? No, dont quote me, Im just kidding. He not only approved of drinking wine but he, himself, drank wine on several occasions. Some verses warn about the dangers of alcohol while others talk about it as a blessing. If your drinking hinders someone coming to know Jesus than we should abstain. 11 Catholic Birthday Prayers for You and Others, 100+ Short Bible Verses You Can Easily Remember, 40+ Empowering Bible Verses About Being a Woman of God, 60+ Psalms of Encouragement to Lift Up Your Mood, 25 Powerful Bible Verses About Mothers and Daughters, 50+ Most Popular Bible Verses About Resurrection, 70+ Powerful Bible Verses About Blessings. 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. If I eat too much and I stuff myself like a pig, then I could say Oh my goodness, I just sinned through the sin of gluttony, and then the near occasion of that. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. Husband. To be morally mature one must distinguish between State laws that exist because they protect the natural law, and State laws that exist only to protect the common good. Steve Ray: I was in bed in that hotel for 24 hours, and I said to my wife, Im never gonna get drunk again ever, that was horrible. So thats the only time Ive ever been drunk, and I didnt do it on purpose. We dont need to avoid those things just because they might do us harm. We meet every second Saturday of the month at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Florida. To see sin as simply breaking a law is not much better. Would I do so if a police car was parked on the side of the road? or altar wine thats specifically intended for Eucharistic celebrations. Does that mean that even an occasional cigar is a sin? If they are dulled, then the overall spiritual ethos of campus goes way down. (Only if a law is clearly unjustsuch as with Martin Luther King, Jr.s disobedience of segregation lawsshould a law be disobeyed). Alcoholic drinks are a part of todays society and can be seen as something both positive and negative. Christians should always be sober-minded and watchful: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Required fields are marked *. It can be a good and enjoyable thing. 97, a. Jesus drank wine and was falsely accused of being a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). In the seminary, I came across a book of no small thickness explaining how Jesus did not use fermented wine at table. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. | Sunday All rights reserved. I once had a Methodist pastor tell me of a friend who was caught drinking at a party by one of his parishioners. an unjust law. Well deal with those in the next point. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. Is Drinking a Sin? | Catholic Answers But when taken in moderation, it can lead to a great time and awesome memories with friends. Just because alcohol can be abused doesnt mean it needs to be avoided. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. But the case is different with underage drinking: in the vast majority of places across the country, one certainly would not drink underage while standing next to a police officer. Drunkenness is a sin. The Catholic Church continues to support alcohol consumption in moderation. Therefore Jesus nor the Biblical writers advocated for drinking. That it is always a sin to break a law of the State is believed by the majority of Catholics because, as the late Cardinal George once said, American Catholics are Puritans who go to Mass on Sunday. In the moral realm Americans tend to adopt toward State law a puritanical thinking sometimes mixed with small amounts Jansenism. And in so doing, it often leads us to more sin such as violence and fornication. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Instead of condemning them, Jesus understood, which earned Him the ire of the self-righteous Pharisees. You may have the conviction that it is allowable to drink alcohol in moderation. At any rate, custom is a real thing in the application of law, as is apparent in St. Thomas Aquinas treatment of human law: for when a thing is done again and again, it seems to proceed from a deliberate judgment of reason. And lets not forget the focus of Jesus first miracle at Cana (see John 2:1-11). We should strive for unity rather then create division. You can order it in a restaurant, or a bar, and even buy it from your local grocery shop. The Bible talks about alcohol in both positive and negative terms. What does the Bible say about drinking? What does the Bible say about drinking? Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Licit things, doing licit things like drinking wine is fine in moderation, but not too much, not to become drunk. There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). It is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation. In drunkenness, we willingly defile our rational nature. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! It can . The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isn't a sin, but overindulging in it can be. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12). Never battle alone. Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - April 22, 2023 - Facebook At a family meal, a 17 year old can have some champagne to toast her grandmothers birthday because her father is there, but if her 20-year-old cousin who happens to be visiting without her parents is there she shouldnt because it would be a sin? Is Drinking A Sin? (what the Bible REALLY says) - Rethink So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? Question: When is drinking alcohol a mortal sin? Many of todays varieties use modern fermentation methods that produce higher levels of alcohol than could ever have been achieved in biblical times. Lets jump in, what does the Bible say about drinking? Is drinking a sin? We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.. We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. In personal life he is a proud father of a boy and twin girls. Your email address will not be published. If we consume so much that we cannot properly make decisions, we go too far. Not only are different types of alcohol different, everyone processes alcohol differently. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. For an upperclassmen to lead an underage underclassmen into sineither by encouragement or examplefits Jesus words exactly. Contact us toll-free at: (833) 843-2673. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. Complete this form to receive the weekly email and create a FREE account, which provides access to member only content. ( 1 Tim. For one thing, that word is all-too-often used when people are talking about abstinence and or celibacy. An inconvenient law (i.e., the drinking age) is not an unjust law. Thats adding to the Bible, it doesnt say that. Now that weve looked at what the Bible says about alcohol lets switch over to application. When Is Drinking a Mortal Sin? | Catholic Answers With all the churchs doctrine about vices and such, its but natural to wonder: Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. Although we do advise you to get help as soon as you can from your local authorities, drugging someone or spiking someones drink is illegal. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. (1 Tim. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. The same is true if one travels overseas, where the drinking age in Europe is generally eighteen. Underage drinking is not the issue I start with in talking to your average college student; for many, the problems are much more severe (habitual unchastity, drunkenness, etc.). Father. There is also the case to be made for the sin of entering into close proximity to the sin of drunkenness as well as the case for the sin of scandal as St. Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 8. If you are in a country where you have to be above a certain age in order to legally consume alcohol, then it is sinful to break the law. Here, he instructs us to radically avoid the near occasion of sin. Thats why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). And such a habit will spare you a lot of grief throughout your life. The short answer is, if you are trying to get drunk on purpose, then the answer is basically "yes." That is a sin, and a grave (mortal) one. What does the Bible say about drinking? It is the abuse of alcohol that is the sin. But on the other hand it warns of the damaging effects it can have if its abused. However, it is well worth it. Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022March 22, 2021 | Featured, What Does the Bible Say About What does the Bible say about drinking? Please read our PRIVACY POLICY. 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. Is Drinking Alcohol Inherently a Sin? The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Heres a few of the most commonly used Bible verses about alcohol: Ephesians 5:18, Numbers 28:7-10, Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:23, Proverbs 23:20-21, Romans 14:21, Isaiah 5:22, Leviticus 10:9, Ecclesiastes 9:7, 1 Timothy 3:8, Proverbs 31:6-7, Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14, The above list is far from exhaustive, but it gives us a solid picture of alcohol in the Bible. 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. If you knowingly drink alcohol to the point of intoxication, then thats a mortal sin. What does the Bible say about drinking? As the popes have pointed out many times, the modern age has lost its sense of sin. The other aspect that is typically almost entirely missing in this discussion is the charity we owe to our brothers and sisters and the recognition that our actions affect others. Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. Even though these actions were done out of your own free will because of your drunkenness, you are still held responsible for them, as you chose to be in the state of intoxication deliberately. The Bible keeps this issue in the grey, up for each Christian to decide whats the wisest and most loving thing for them to do. Can having just one drink be a sin for some people but not for others? Copyright 2019-2023. So by all means, alcoholic drinks are not evil. Accordingly, custom has the force of a law, abolishes law, and is the interpreter of law (ST I-IIae, q. 5:8). Is Drinking a Sin for Catholics? - Lay Cistercians In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. Copyright 2023 Core Christianity. That is, Jesus was not with sinners when they were sinning (or even came close to it). On one hand it talks about how it can a blessing. St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. Further, there are the requirements of civil law.