Does the Bible Really Say That?: Discovering Catholic Teaching in Scripture Read Online Free PDF Page A

There is one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor?”
    And finally, we do well to keep in mind the Lord’s warning about the power that our words have, for good and for evil, and what will await us as recompense for those words: “I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).
     
    Further Reading: Psalm 35:19–22 ;Proverbs 10:16–20; Matthew 22:37–39; Luke 12:2–3; Romans 1:26–32; Colossians 3:5–10; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Timothy 3:1–9; 1 Peter 2:1–3
    CCC , 2465–2492

CHAPTER 8
    Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?
     
    Comedian Henny Youngman once quipped, “When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” His wisecrack reveals something about how people approach the question of whether or not drinking alcohol is a sin.
    For some, including many evangelical Protestants, Scripture’s prohibitions against drunkenness are enough to convince them that drinking alcohol is itself forbidden. Others who enjoy getting drunk simply ignore the Bible’s warnings, imagining either that drunkenness isn’t really a big deal or that those warnings don’t apply to them.
    Well, what the Bible actually says on this issue may surprise and disappoint people in both camps.
    First, let’s be clear that intentional drunkenness is a mortal sin. (1 John 5:16–17; see also CCC 1852, 2290). Galatians 5:19–21 tells us: “Now the works of the flesh are plain: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God ” (emphasis added).
    Saint Peter wrote, “Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:3–5).
    The Old Testament contains many warnings against drunkenness. Noah’s wine-bender in Genesis 9:20–27 was the first of a long line of examples. Lot’s experience with too much wine and the shocking sexual sins that ensued was, if you’ll forgive the pun, a sobering reminder about the dangers of drunkenness.
    Proverbs 20:1 says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; / and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
    Sirach 31:27–31 shows that getting drunk is sinful, but drinking itself is not:
     
Wine is like life to men, / if you drink it in moderation. / What is life to a man who is without wine? / It has been created to make men glad. / Wine drunk in season and temperately / is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul. / Wine drunk to excess is bitterness of soul, / with provocation and stumbling. / Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury, / reducing his strength and adding wounds.
     
    The Lord reminds us, however, that wine and strong drink can be a good thing when used correctly. “[B]ind up the money in your hand, and go the places which the Lord your God chooses, and spend the money for whatever you desire, oxen, or sheep, or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves; and you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household” (Deuteronomy 14:25–26). (Some translations render this last phrase more literally as “making merry before the Lord.”)
    Wine played an integral role in both the old and new covenants. In Genesis 14:17–18 the covenant between Abraham and Melchizedek was enacted with an offering of bread and wine. Christ used bread and wine at the Last Supper to transubstan-tiate into his Body and