SEBTS’s Danny Akin on alcohol abstinence on Between the Times:
Today there are more than 40 million problem drinkers in America. Alcohol is the number one drug problem among teenagers. One in three American families suspects that one or more family members have a drinking problem. Misuse of alcohol costs our nation $100 billion a year in quantifiable cost. Because of these experiences and many more, I have often said that even if I were not a Christian I would have nothing to do with alcohol. There is simply too much sorrow and heartache connected to it. Avoiding this devastating drug is simply the wise thing to do.
This year at our Convention we again passed a resolution calling for abstinence from alcohol. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, but it did generate significant debate both during and after the Convention. Some have accused those supporting the resolution of being pharisaical and legalistic, traditionalist and anti-biblical. It is said that we fail to understand Christian liberty and freedom, and that we even stand against Jesus. These are strong accusations from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. However, are they correct? Are those like myself who believe abstinence to be the best lifestyle choice really guilty of these charges? Let me respond as graciously and kindly as I possibly can, explaining why I hold the position I do. I share my heart with no malice or ill will toward anyone, but from a desire to honor the Lord Jesus, and to protect others from the evils alcohol has visited on so many.
Oct 19, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Those who criticize those who abstain are ones who do not understand Christian liberty. In systematics, I’ve learned sin to be two-fold: active breaking of law and inactivity toward law requirements. Pharisaic fence building was anti-biblical not in the sense of distancing themselves from potential to sin, but in finding accomplishment in not breaking the law as fulfilling requirement, misinterpreting the actual requirements God gives us.
Oct 19, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I don’t think we’re talking about legalism here. It’s about a need to weigh spiritual responsibility with spiritual liberty. I think it’s a responsible thing to not drink. If you don’t think it’s the case, I would ask if a pastor would feel at ease to drink in front of those to whom he ministers. I for one cannot imagine drinking in front of underage congregants to teach them how to drink in moderation. Nor would I think to drink in front of former alcoholics, who have been sober for however many years. I am choosing to not drink period. In the past years, I’ve grown increasingly sensitive toward those who struggle with alcohol (addiction and abuse) and those who have stigmatized drinking. I know Korean society have stigmatized alcohol for a long time now, and Korean churches have therefore become sensitive to the drinking culture that prevailed for a long time. America is no different. We live in a culture that stigmatizes drinking as an impure act. Rather that trying to change American culture as a whole to widely accept drinking, I would rather try to change the way people value Christ to see him as their Savior and worship him as their Lord.
Simply put, responsibility trumps a right.
Oct 27, 2010 at 1:02 pm
[...] of that persons personal experience and conviction. A friend writes a thought provoking post (Akin on Alcohol Abstinence) on the specific issue that has elicited in myself a tinge of wrongful suspicion of possible [...]