The Venue Online Forums

 . . .but I thought I'd pose it anyway.  Just prior, during, and shortly after the industrial revolution in the west, alcohol consumption and bars were open to pretty much anyone.  Children had access to alcohol in ways that had not previously been made available.  Because of this, a generalized negative connotation for alcohol and bars came to become an ingrained part of culture, to the point where the church condemned any consumption of alcohol by believers.  After social reformation, alcohol comsumption became less available (relative to pre IR) to those whom should not had access to it, but the protestant church did not change it's views even though social reform in this area had occured. 

The main question is, aside from strongholds and vices that may afflict certain individuals, can a deeply rooted Christian drink alcoholic beverages and still profess a deeply-rooted Christian walk? 

Should a deeply-rooted Christian drink alcoholic beverages?  Why, or why not?  Feel free to give examples, and scripture references too :)

The only people God ever forbid to drink alcoholic beverages were the priesthood.  Jesus turned water into wine and served wine at his last supper.  This was the culture.  The only command regarding alcohol I can remember seeing in the New Testament is the one saying not to be drunk.  I have no issue with people drinking unless they do it to excess.  I don't hold anything against them, I just prefer not to be around.  When I was 20 drunk people were funny.  Now they are annoying because you can't have a legit conversation anymore once they pass that point of no return.

I see getting drunk as one of those "childish things" that grown ups need to put away.  Having a beer and watching the game, or a glass of wine with friends or at dinner is of no real consequence from what I have read.

personally, i dont drink at all.  i have seen enough people in my past abuse alcohol and then the results of such abuses.  i also act crazy enough without alcohol.  could you imagine me drunk? *-P :-)~~ O.o#

anyways......on the actual issue.  i do not care to be around people that are drinking, but i do not deny them their option to drink.  if that is how they desire to live, it is their life.  JESUS turned water into wine and paul requested that timothy drink wine (1Ti 5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.), who am i to say otherwise.  however, those that get drunk are the ones that will suffer for their decisions.  many times through proverbs and the epistles, drunkeness is condemned.

I'm agreeing with you guys on this one...I think getting drunk is wrong. I don't think having a glass of wine, beer, mixed drink or whatever you'd have is bad. Today I was out with a group of friends that don't attend Venue. Most of them were drinking except for me and a 2 other girls. In the past, I will admit I used to drink NOT in excess, but when offered tonight I passed. But I just no longer find it "fun" or something that I need to do have fun or losen up. I see how much FUN I have without drinking when I am out at Venue and I don't see why I would need to drink with my other friends to have fun. I just no longer find a purpose, but I don't think a person having a drink makes them any less of a deeply-rooted Christian. But when it turns into drunkeness and it becomes more than just an occassional thing thats where the problem lies.

I bartend.


or at least I used to.7 years exp. Im a single( engaged ) mom of a little boy and I have a day job. After sifting through all my "responsibilities" i am found lacking in the financial department. I was offered a bartending job on thursday-saturday. This will almost double my income. So the question is: Do you think that it is "frowned" upon , being a Christain?

Comment are appreciated..Thanks!!

I would bartend if I knew how.  It's good money.  I'd refer to the forum discussion we had on drinking.... can someone give her the link?

I merged the topics and provided a clearer title so this could be discussed further.

if Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding, and had it to drink with meals, i would find it difficult to believe we can't serve it to others.  in fact, it puts us in a good position to help people know where that limit is that he says we shouldn't cross.  that's not to say we should all be part time bartenders, but if it isn't a sin for any and every Christian to have a drink, then it would stand to reason that it is not a sin to serve it.


the main thing you want to keep your wits about is the atmosphere you are putting yourself in.  i can go to Billy Bob's and have a great time without feeling pressure to pick anyone up or get drunk.  however, if i went to a singles bar with people who were intending to get drunk and pick people up, that atmosphere could prove more than i want to deal with.  being a bartender at a place where there's lots of hooking up and pressure for the bartenders to drink along with the patrons might not be a good place to be...

well what you about the "different"environment is DEFINETLY true. I work as a  bartender on Bourbon Street and their motto down there is " if you live here, your addicted to something" which held to be pretty much true. When I moved back to Houston I worked at a high volume night club and my financial state increased. HOWEVER my boss was on drugs . So the one night that I had made the MOST money I have EVER made, to find out that employee stole all of it and I got NONE of it back. So, I do NOT feel conviction about working in a "well maintained environment for me", I just must know whats expected of me and not expected of me. Since I am "fairly" new to thia church and its awesome ability to make sense of things that NEVER did in the past, Im still learning my own boundaries.

try not to think of it terms of "expectations".  the only REAL expectation is that you are open to what God tells you to do.  that expectation comes only from God, and we are just here to help support you in making those correct choices, or if we see you starting to veer off the straight and narrow, help point you in the right direction.  we aren't here to judge.  we aren't here to tell you all the places you are failing.  we aren't here to list the "rules" for being in a "club" (even though some conversations can kind of start to go that way... we're only human  ;)).  it's not our job.  it's not your job towards others.  James 4 tells us that there is one lawgiver and one judge, and it isn't us.

it's more like a support group.  you tell us where you need help, and we will send you into the Word of God to find that help.  we will ask you from time to time how you are doing in that area.  for that to work, you have to remain honest.  we will have issues as well.  feel free to chime in and use your experiences and devotionals to help us find the truth.  you may be young in the faith, but that doesn't mean you haven't experienced the work of God in your life... based on your posts to this point, I'd say you've got quite a bit experience  ;)

I am a  recovered acholic by the grace of God. I stay that  drinking is wrong  the bible is clear about drinking.

fixed d|:-) :) O0

lol J, you are too funny with your little  d|:-)

LOL :P

thanks j man .

just popping in...

One thing I didnt see here which I wanted to add is that we are not to be stumbling blocks. So in other words IF you are a person who has never struggled with alcohol...you dont get drunk when you drink BUT say you go out one night with someone who is struggling or has and its still a temptation for them..it would be wrong for you to order a drink or offer a drink because that is a stumbling block to them.

I did use to struggle with alcohol and my problem was not only not knowing my limits but finding comfort in the feeling of being drunk. Nobody else knew this tho.....and the thing is it is hard to know if you are being a stumbing block if you dont know what the other people you are with struggle with. NOW...hallelujah Im free from that...and even tho its not a personal conviction of mine because I dont get drunk.....it is a conviction about possibly being a stumbling block to another person. (and remember...that statement does not exclude people who are non-christians)

I've always been a social drinker up until I quite smoking. That's when I stated drinking more and more. Over the years I have built up a tolerance so that it takes much more to feel the effects of alcohol. I'm at the point now that just about every night after work I have between 10-14 shots of whiskey on the rocks just to relax. I have made a choice to stop drinking because I can tell this is only going to get worse.

No matter who you are, you know if what you are doing is right or wrong. As most of these post show, you can enjoy alcohol within reason and still lead your life with a Christian core. But for those of you like myself, who know deep down that you have a problem and know what you are doing is wrong, you must make that choice to continue down the path you have set forth for yourself or choose to walk the other direction and be an example for others around you.

 I just turned 40 Sunday the 1st, and it was the first sober birthday I have had in 24 years. I was finally able to quit everything last June. Alcohol, being legal, is probably the most abused drug out there. Some people can have a drink, but with people prone to addiction, it is always the first drink. Never the only. I can't imagine how much more I could have done for the Lord, if I had quit earlier. I became a Christian at age 26, but only quit the harder drugs I used, keeping pot and alcohol as "recreational" drugs, and rationalizing the use of them. Honestly, I was depressed, and using to pull myself up from a lower place, and only by asking God to take away the desire for them, was I able to stop using.
 I am not trying to change the world's view on alcohol, but if you know you have an addictive personality, (like always using up all of the pain meds after going to the dentist, and then getting a refill or two) then you should leave ALL drugs and drinking alone. God can use us in service if we are trying to emulate Christ in our lives. How does drinking make a person look Christ-like?
Just my sober opinion...btw, I go to Venezuela on my first mission trip in April, please pray for me and E3 partners!
Love in Christ!

What an awesome topic... Kudos to you who have personally sought the Lord's guidance for yourself and quit listening to everyone else's thoughts on the matter.  Personally, I grew up with very conservative parents - so I rebelled and partied until I found a guy that said he was a Christian, I didn't know I was married to an alcoholic until we divorced.... I had no idea what the difference was because we met in the party days. I thought it was a normal part of life and that everyone who didn't drink was a fuddy-dud - wow - what a total transformation and eye opening experience it was to realize I was accepting the biggest lie - ever!!

 Now that the Lord has freed me from not only an abusive marriage, but from myself - I can think clearly on how alcohol effects my life and those around me.  I'm now comfortable enough to drink on occasion without worrying about what someone will say about me being a Christian and drinking.  With that being said, I choose not to do it often simply for health reasons the Lord has shown me - and the benefits of NOT drinking to salute to my health! So, now, I may have a drink - remember it's REALLY bad for my body and put it down unfinished or opt not to have another one. That doesn't mean I don't WANT it - cause I do - sometimes, it depends on who I'm with if I'm with girlfriends or my parents, I may have another glass of vino. But if I'm out with people from work or otherwise, I'll opt out entirely unless its a Christmas party or something. What I'm saying is: every situation is different -  I, myself, need to pray through it...for strength to get through that particular situation at that time.

  Plus, every time I drank in the past, it really got me in trouble... that wasn't enough though... He had to hit my vanity... Only He knows the best way to get you to quit doing the things we don't want to do, but do them anyway.... Kudos you guys rock!