THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

“The blacksmith did ignorantly conduct this burglar into his family’s heart. It was the bottle conjuror. Upon the opening of that fatal cork, forth flew the fiend, and shriveled up his home” (Herman Melville, ‘Moby Dick,’ 1851). The depravity of drunkenness has scourged the earth since the beginning of time. As early as Noah, this beast of intemperance has plagued the souls of men. Genesis 6:8,9 says that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord … was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” The burglar of Herman Melville’s tale came in deception after the flood when Noah planted a vineyard and “he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent” (Genesis 9:21). His son Ham saw him and made light of his condition which brought the curse upon Canaan (Genesis 9:22-25).

Following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the nephew of Abraham fled to the mountains with his two daughters. The daughters conspired to make their father drunk and then conceived children by him (Genesis 19:30-38). The seed of drunkenness flourished throughout the history of man. David conspired against a righteous man by getting him drunk and hoping he would go home to his wife, Bathsheba (1 Samuel 11). Months earlier, David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and she was now with child. Uriah, even in a state of drunkenness, refused to enter his house. David had Uriah murdered in battle.

Ahasuerus was drunk when he demanded Queen Vashti to “display her beauty to the people and the princes” of which she refused (Esther 1). It was during a drunken feast with the vessels taken from the Temple that Belshazzar saw the hand writing on the wall (Daniel 5).

Warnings against drunkenness are as plentiful as the examples. Rebellious children who were drunkards were put to death under the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21:20,21). “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). The consequences of drunkenness is poverty of health, wealth and salvation (Proverbs 21:17; 23:20,21; 29-35; 31:4-7). The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them! Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; but they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD, Nor do they consider the work of His hands. Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge” (Isaiah 5:11-13).

The child of God is to be pure in their conduct and alcohol defiles that purity. Paul exhorted the Christians, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness … put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14). Those who delve into the vat of drunkenness will not see eternal salvation (1 Corinthians 6:9,10) but wallow in the dark mire of an eternal flame – and there will be no refreshment to cool the tongue (Luke 16:24,25). The Lord’s exhortation is to “not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

The apostle Paul wrote: "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:3,4). There are certain characteristics that distinguish the child of God from those of the world. Paul lists a number of them in these verses when he concludes that this type of behavior is not fitting for a saint. A saint is every person who is an obedient child of God. (Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 13:13; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1, etc.)

It is not characteristic for SAINTS to imbibe in alcohol. The interesting part of discussing alcohol and the Christian is the use of the term, "Social." It seems that using this term softens the appeal to negative thoughts about alcohol. Social drinking is just drinking in a social manner but changes nothing about the nature of drinking. When an attempt is made to justify social drinking based upon this argument, we have as much reason to accept social fornication. Calling a thing "Social" does not change its character.

The secular world understands the danger of alcohol. There is a world of information about the dangers of alcohol in thousands of publications and yet Christians still want to argue that alcohol is an acceptable part of their lives. From the secular side we understand the impact of alcohol upon the body. It rapidly enters the bloodstream (no digestion needed) and circulates to all parts of the body within a few minutes. The main effect is on the brain where control centers are "knocked out" one by one, resulting in intoxication.

The first stage of intoxication is called a "happy stage." This stage is characterized as talkative, relaxed, sociable, fewer inhibitions and worries, and some loss of judgment. Without going any further, let me pose some questions. If it is hard enough to be pure when a person is "stone sober," how hard is it going to be after the first drink? If the inhibitions are fewer and judgment is dimmed even slightly, how is the SAINT going to be able to fight the devil? The answer: NOT!

Alcohol has no place in the character of the saint, the Christian, the child of God, the blood bought body of the obedient disciple of Jesus Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is not fitting! It is not becoming! It is not part of the pure life sought by every person seeking heaven.

What types of message are you conveying to those you encounter to drink your beer, wine, or whatever? When you go into the grocery store and pull your buggy down the aisle where the beer is kept, what impact as a child of God are you having on all those around you when you reach your hand out and grab a twelve-pack? As you continue shopping and people see what you have in your buggy, will you be a shining example of purity and self-control as Christ would have you be? When you finally make it to the check out and place your alcohol on the counter, do you invite the one at the register to worship as they scan your alcohol?

If you try to answer any of the above questions by justifying yourself as being only a social drinker, you are failing to be honest with yourself and with the blood stained cross of Jesus Christ. Did Jesus die so that you could enjoy social drinking? What you are doing is not - NOT - fitting a saint!

When you bow in prayer, do you pray as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:13 - "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever"? Christian - alcohol has no place in the life of one who is serving Jesus Christ. To be a saint one must be consecrated to God - set apart - to live pure. "’Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

Drunkenness is the ruin of reason. It is premature old age. It is temporary death.

(This article ppeared in VANGUARD Magazine, June 26, 1975. Edited by Fanning Yater Tant. He writes: “I have known this man and his lovely family for more than a dozen years. Let every "social drinker" who reads this tragic story be warned by it...and let every faithful Christian consider what he can do, and what the congregation where he worships can do to prevent such melancholy stories as this from happening. And to reclaim, if possible, the victims of such debacles once they do occur.”)

I was a social drinker. I am not proud of what has happened in my life, and I pray continually that God will forgive me for the wreck I have made of my life, my home and family, and my career. It is painful to write this story; but if the telling of the sorrowful tale will save even one person from the tragedy that has befallen me, then it will be worth the effort. I am an alcoholic. But, to be perfectly honest, no alcoholic ever becomes truly an "ex"; he can only live one day at a time as a non-drinker. And that is what I am now doing.

I was baptized into Christ in 1952 in Worland, Wyoming. Five years later, I moved my family to Renton, Washington, where I was employed as an engineer with Boeing Aircraft Company. In Renton I became active in the work of the Lord, and taught classes and preached quite often. My wife, Jan, had been instrumental in leading me to the truth, and as our family continued to increase (we became the parents of seven children) we were happy and enthusiastic in serving Christ.

Now, fifteen years later, I am physically separated from my family, living in a YMCA in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and know from the heart the terrible price one pays (even in this life) for sin. I do not drink now, and look back with bitter regret to that first drink I ever tasted. Wine is truly a "mocker." It is an instrument of Satan, a wrecker of homes, and of lives.

But let's get back to how it all started. In 1964, I opened my own insurance agency after having received a modest inheritance from my father's estate. Very soon I found myself going out to "have a drink or two" with friends and clients. Whatever misgiving of conscience or uneasiness I might have had I was able to overcome by reminding myself that the New Testament condemns drunkenness -- and nowhere does it say that it is wrong to have a drink. I was NOT going to get drunk! So what harm could there be in an occasional social drink with good friends? After all, didn't Jesus turn the water into wine?

About this time, we had started a small congregation in Orting, Washington, and within a single week, following a short gospel meeting, I had baptized eight people in Christ. It was a truly happy time, and everything was going great. Except for one thing -- I found myself drinking a little bit more with every passing week. My wife and I began to drink at home, even when there were no friends there with whom to "socialize."

My insurance agency did not prosper. So in 1966, I left Washington and went to Marietta, Georgia, where I found employment as an engineer with Lockheed. This job lasted for about three years; then I moved to Florence, South Carolina, to work with another big corporation. Finally, in 1970, my family and I moved to York, Pennsylvania -- where my wife and family still reside. These years were increasingly filled with unhappiness, drinking, and finally a total cessation of all church attendance. Satan had gotten hold of me -- but good.

My drinking finally got beyond control. I lost my job, lost my family, and almost lost my sanity. But by the grace and mercy of God, I was finally able, like the prodigal son of old, to "come to myself," and realize before it was too late the awful chasm yawning before me. I was totally in the gutter, but "love lifted me," -- the love of God. I went before the congregation, confessed my sins, and sought forgiveness from both God and man for all the wrong I had done. I joined Alcoholics Anonymous, and although the climb back from the depths is not easy, I feel I am slowly making it.

Much prayer and an unwavering determination are my surest safeguards against the classic stumbling block of the alcoholic -a slip backward into the old pattern.

Suggestions to Christians: This article is not meant simply to confess my own sins. I have simply related this tale of woe to let you know I am qualified to speak to another point: I want to offer some suggestions to members of the body of Christ as to how they may help those of us who have been victims of the drinking syndrome.

First of all, the alcoholic who is trying to make it back to God needs an immense amount of help and encouragement. He has a horribly low self-image, feels utterly unworthy and guilty, and thinks nobody cares in the least what happens to him. Members of the church of Christ are generally of the middle-class economically, and when a drinking man seeks to turn to God from the gutter where he has been, he is definitely NOT "middle-class." He is in all probability absolutely broke and poverty-stricken.

He has spent his money for liquor. For this reason, he is likely to feel that Christians are more concerned with "doctrine" than they are with "people." Where are the poor? I mean the really, truly POOR people? Do you see them in the congregation where you worship? How do they get there? They have no cars, and their clothes are old, cheap, and shabby.

If the disciples of Christ are really concerned with helping the alcoholic (and others of the "down and outers") a strong effort must be made to change the emphasis which is usually found in our churches from materialistic things to things of the spirit. Love and concern for our fellow-man must come to the front; pride in buildings and fine cars and expensive clothing must be eliminated. This will not be hard to do if all of us really stay close to our Lord.

Not only does the alcoholic who is trying to come back need a great deal of personal attention and encouragement, he needs also to be made a vital part of the church's work and program. Often it happens that he is given a sort of "probation period" during which he is to prove to the brethren that he will not back-slide. This is most difficult, and may in fact be the very thing that pushes him back into the gutter. But if he can get to work at once in a vibrant, dynamic, and working congregation, he is given a great incentive to remain sober. It is my fervent hope that some day I may be able to devote my full time to the preaching of the gospel of Christ -- and to the helping of my fellow-men who have gone the same tragic rout that I have known.

The road back is not easy. But I remember that Paul had murdered Christians, and in spite of that became the great apostle to the Gentiles. God forgave him, his fellow-Christians forgave him (although that Jerusalem church was pretty suspicious of him until Barnabas came to his rescue), and last of all Paul was able to forgive himself. The alcoholic needs to be able to forgive himself. And the only way he can do this is to feel that he is really and truly HELPING others.

My life is not easy. My family is broken, and probably beyond all hope of mending; my career as an engineer is down the drain; my friends of many years seem more like strangers now. My only hope is Christ. He is my final salvation, and my only real cause for living. I solicit the prayers of my fellow-Christians who may read this article. May God bless all of you.