BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Why I believe in abstinence of alcohol

There is a great possibility that what I say in this article will not change a single opinion about the issue of alcohol consumption. And believe me I am not riding a social or theological “hobby-horse.” It has always been my nature to be clear on issues facing the church. None of the congregations where I served could ever say, “When you were our pastor you never did point out the problem of alcohol abuse. You did not warn us!”

For me alcohol abuse is not getting drunk; it is drinking. “But I am a moderate drinker,” some would plead. My former pastor, Dr. Jerry Vines, says, “If it takes five drinks to make you drunk then after the first one you are one-fifth drunk.” I agree.

Drinking of alcohol is harmful to others, to you and to your Christian witness. It never contributes to the good of society or the church. So don’t share with me an isolated experience of a “spiritual nature” in the use of alcohol and expect me to embrace it. It may provide social acceptance but not spiritual growth. Christian freedom is never a reason to ignore the harmful effects of an activity.

I am not unaware that some will say, "What about excessive eating and other like matters?" God also calls that into account. Others would say, the Bible does not say, “Thou shalt not drink.” True. But you would be hard pressed to disagree with the fact that there are many things the Bible does not say “thou shalt not.”

Wonderful studies have been done on the use of alcohol: Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Danny Aiken, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Jerry Vines, Jerry Vines Ministries, Atlanta, Ga;. Johnny Hunt, pastor, Woodstock Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga.; and Hal Kitchings, former pastor, First Baptist Church, Eustis. Hal wins my vote for most creative title – The Stink of a Drink! This by no means an exhaustive list but all are very useful. I encourage you to review these.

Please allow me some personal observations about the consumption of alcohol as a beverage:

—Alcohol consumption was a potential problem in my life before salvation. I had watched it destroy a family member. From a changed nature I viewed it as a practice that is unnecessary and unbecoming to the Christian testimony;

—The best hope we have in controlling this enormous problem is regulation by government and pressure by Christian citizens;

—The church must never treat the consumption of alcohol as “just a social matter.” It is a biblically moral matter as well. It harms our witness, destroys families and the list is long;

—Some would say, “There are other things just as bad.” Other things are not the point of comparison. The ideal of Christ is the point of comparison. No one has to convince me that it is okay to drink. But you do have to convince God.

Next week will conclude my series on the use of alcohol.

SULLIVAN'S PREVIOUS ARTICLES

You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at 1-800-226-8584, ext. 3015, or by e-mail.