Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Apologia Church
Host: Jeff Durbin
Episode: Alcohol – Sin or Blessing?
Date: June 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This sermon from Apologia Church, delivered by Jeff Durbin, delves deeply into the Bible’s teachings about alcohol, grappling with whether it’s a sin or a blessing. Jeff meticulously unpacks scriptural passages, addresses common Christian arguments and cultural attitudes, and ultimately presents a balanced, nuanced view. His main goal is to help listeners approach alcohol biblically, neither blindly condemning nor carelessly embracing it, but distinguishing between its use as a God-given blessing and its abuse as a dangerous curse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening: Setting the Stage

(00:06 – 05:00)

• Jeff introduces Proverbs 20 and 23 to frame the issue: alcohol as both a mocker and a “brawler,” and warns against drunkenness.
• Opens with prayer, asking for wisdom, honesty, and biblical clarity as the topic is often controversial and divisive.

“We need to approach it biblically. We need to approach it with wisdom. We need to be honest with the text. And…honest with ourselves as we approach the question of alcohol.” — Jeff Durbin (05:45)

Two Foundational Points:

• Not everyone should enjoy alcohol. Those struggling with addiction or idolatry should not see scriptural blessings about alcohol as an invitation (07:15).
• Be biblical, not reactionary. Christians must let Scripture shape their views, not personal experience or cultural tradition.

Alcohol in Scripture – Negative and Positive Categories

1. Negative: Warnings Against Abuse, Drunkenness, and Idolatry

(10:00 – 35:00)

• Proverbs 20:1 – Wine as a mocker, strong drink as a brawler; warning to not be “led astray” (10:22).
• Proverbs 23:20, 23:29–35 – Grave warnings about being among drunkards; lists physical, emotional, and societal consequences.
  • “If you are led astray by it, you are not wise. Serious words from Scripture.” (11:10)
• Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
  • “There is, I think, the key to wisdom on the question of alcohol…” (12:01)
• Galatians 5:21 – Drunkenness listed among sins that exclude from the kingdom of God.
• Isaiah 5:11 – Woe to those “who run after strong drink.”
• Urges rejecting modern “disease model” terminology like “alcoholism”—instead, the Bible calls it “drunkenness” and treats it as a moral/spiritual issue (16:10).
• Proverbs 31:4–5 – Rulers are warned not to dull their minds with drink because their role demands sober judgment.
• 1 Timothy 3:8 – Deacons must not be “addicted to much wine.”

“Drunkenness is a sin that will send you to hell…you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (31:55)

2. Positive: Alcohol as God’s Good Gift, Blessing, and Element of Worship

(35:00 – 58:00)

• 1 Timothy 5:23 – Paul tells Timothy to use wine for his stomach; medicinal value affirmed.
• Psalm 104:14–15 – God gives wine “to gladden the heart of man.”
  • “Who is the origin, originator of this?…God did this. He meant for it to happen…What’s the purpose of wine?…To gladden men’s hearts. It’s a blessing, it’s a gift.” (40:00)
• Matthew 11:18–19 – Jesus came “eating and drinking”; accused (falsely) of being a drunkard and glutton, showing He participated in celebrations with wine.
• Isaiah 55:1 – God’s invitation includes “wine and milk…without money and without price.”
• John 2:1–11 – Jesus’ first miracle: turning roughly 120 gallons of water into “the best” wine at Cana.
  • “Jesus apparently made a tasty and potent wine at a celebration…” (52:25)

“It is God himself, as a man, addressing their lying about His actions…they were lying about what he was actually doing with it.” (44:40)

• The Lord’s Supper – Jesus institutes wine as a central element of worship (First Corinthians 11:21 shows it was alcoholic, since some were getting drunk).
• Deuteronomy 14:22–26 – God explicitly commands Israel to celebrate with “wine or strong drink…whatever your appetite craves…and rejoice.”
  • “If our standard makes God look like he’s sinning, our standard is wrong.” (55:25)

Addressing Objections

“It was just grape juice”

• Welch’s grape juice (unfermented) invented only in 1869, primarily for Methodist communion; unfermented juice was not possible for ancient, multi-day events.
  • “The whole argument that what you see in the Bible is not wine but grape juice is fallacious, doesn’t work with the text.” (59:30)

“Alcohol has destroyed many lives”

• Jeff confirms this, drawing from years as a rehab chaplain:
  • “The worst detoxes that I saw every single day were people who had been drinking morning to night every day for weeks or years…If you stop cold turkey, you could die.” (1:07:10)
• But…So have food, sex, work, rest, pleasure. The abuse of good gifts doesn’t make them inherently sinful.
  • “So, someone abuses work. Does that mean we now have a standard for Christians…stop working? That’s not the answer.” (1:14:15)
• The Bible advocates for proper use—not abstinence from all pleasure or blessing.

“Alcohol is bad for your body”

• Yes, excessive use and dependence is destructive (personal family example: grandfather died from cirrhosis at 33).
• But, so are Oreos, sugary cereals, energy drinks, soda—context, frequency, and intent matter (1:20:10).

“Alcohol alters your state of mind”

• “That’s kind of the point…that’s why God called His people to have wine or strong drink to rejoice in God.”
• Sober-mindedness is a command. There is a line between gladdening the heart and losing control.

“The Bible speaks negatively about alcohol”

• Yes—about its abuse, especially drunkenness.
• But equally (and sometimes in the same passages) speaks of its blessing in proper use.

Christian Liberty, Wisdom, and the ‘Who’ and the ‘How’

Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?

• “No…and yes. It depends on who is doing the drinking and how.” (1:32:30)
• For someone freshly out of addiction, even moderate drinking is unwise—just as it’s unwise for those with particular weaknesses or stumbling blocks.
• Context is critical—just as with medicines.

Substances Analogy: Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Ketamine, Marijuana

• Is using these substances a sin? It depends on who and how:
  • Opiate addiction is a destructive sin; prescribed after surgery is a blessing (praise God for morphine/Ketorolac, etc.).
  • Benzodiazepines: abused, very dangerous and addictive; used for trauma or acute anxiety in the hospital, a mercy.
  • Ketamine: abused as a party drug; but used medically (as in Jeff’s own emergency) a legitimate tool.
  • Marijuana: “It depends on who and how.” Historical and medical contexts show even cannabis tinctures used medicinally, e.g. for children with seizures, without the destructive addiction profile of opiates.
    • Example: Jeff's daughter benefited from medical cannabis tincture to halt seizures and prevent permanent damage.
    • “Tell that to all the children who have had their lives changed by this substance being used in a God-glorifying and honoring ways that make sense.” (1:44:10)

What About the Weaker Brother?

• Romans 14/1 Corinthians 8: Don’t flaunt liberty or encourage others to violate their conscience.
• But also avoid “The Tyranny of the Weaker Brother” (referencing R.C. Sproul): One’s personal weaknesses shouldn’t set standards for all.
  • “We cannot have standards…that make God look like he is sinning.” (1:47:30)

Practical, Heart-Probing Questions for Christians

(1:47:30 – End)

• Why are you drinking?
  • For thankfulness to God, or is it a replacement for Him?
• Are you in control, or is it controlling you?
• Could you stop today without withdrawal? If not, seek medical detox, accountability, and healing through Christ.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 (1:55:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If our standard makes God look like he is sinning, our standard is wrong…” (55:25)
• “Is drinking alcohol a sin? First answer: no. Second answer: yes…Depends on who is doing the drinking and how.” (1:32:30)
• “My grandfather died at 33 from cirrhosis of the liver…Acknowledge what’s true. Alcohol can be very bad for your body, depending on the context.” (1:20:50)
• “It depends on the context, how you use this gift and this blessing from God. Amen.” (1:40:35)
• “God Himself put wine on the table as a central act of Christian worship throughout the church age—it is Jesus who put wine on the table.” (54:20)
• “We rejoice in your great gifts, but we also look at them with great caution, considering our weaknesses.” (1:57:20)

Key Timestamps

• 00:06 — Scripture readings; prayer; introducing the theme
• 10:00 — Biblical warnings against alcohol abuse
• 35:00 — Scriptures affirming alcohol as blessing/gift
• 52:25 — John 2: Jesus turns water into wine
• 55:25 — Deuteronomy 14: God commands celebration with wine/strong drink
• 59:30 — Refuting “grape juice” arguments
• 1:07:10 — Personal experience: alcohol’s destruction in rehab/hospital settings
• 1:20:10 — Comparing alcohol’s risks to common foods/substances
• 1:32:30 — Is drinking alcohol a sin? Who/how analysis
• 1:40:35 — Substances: opiates, benzos, ketamine, marijuana—context is key
• 1:47:30 — Christian liberty and the weaker brother
• 1:55:10 — 1 Corinthians 10:31—Summary verse; do all to the glory of God

Conclusion

Jeff Durbin’s sermon calls for Christians to “hold up God’s word as holy, as the highest,” letting Scripture—not modern temperance or overreactions to abuse—form our views. Alcohol, like many gifts, is both a blessing and a potential curse. The line is drawn at idolatry, abuse, and lack of self-control, not at the substance itself. Christians are called to wise, thankful enjoyment where appropriate, loving caution with the weak, and always—“whether you eat or drink…do all to the glory of God.”

For further depth: Listen to Dr. R.C. Sproul’s “The Tyranny of the Weaker Brother” (as recommended by Jeff at 1:47:30).