Alcoholism in the Church? Yes

 I heard this speaker on the Bulletin podcast (Christianity Today), and was glad to see the article here. It is a must read, although I think it probably applies to certain "evangelical" groups more than others. The SBC is probably very low on meetups for mission trip groups at bars. 

However, that doesn't mean drinking in private is not a huge problem, and I am glad to see there is public discussion of it. 

There is a somewhat companion piece on the site now called "The Loosening of Evangelicalism" that does not really bemoan, only wonders at, what I have seen for the 50 years of my journey. 

It is easy to slide into "some wine with Italian food" to "a glass after work" to "I need this when things are getting on my nerves" and "Nobody needs to know what's going on in my house."  I have wine in my cupboard. I would like a glass . . . But...

I recently started a medication, Farxiga, and alcohol and it are not a good mix. So, the end of wine (my only indulgence--spirits knock me out almost immediately and beer should be poured back into the horse) for me.

For me, the possibility of the slide into addiction a real thing, (lots of alcoholism in my family), and once we cross the line that alcohol is sin, we have to exercise judgment--and let's be honest, that's not easy. Even if we are control freaks that don't like to be unaware of our surroundings in public (like me), we can always drink privately.  

Sorry, but I think we were better off when we realized being a Christian just meant saying no to some things even if we were weird to others. Weirdness seems preferable to hidden addictions.