Drinking, a sin or a hobby?

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

What is the point of drinking if not to get intoxicated. Pass a cold one please! My firm belief that there will be no light beer in Heaven! Not familar with the verse the OP is refering to, but there are plenty of warning against excess of anything. To me there is a big difference between excess and having fun.

In the land of Bud, which is tasteless even before it's been chilled, this might be so.

However, drinking good beer, wine and whisky are in themselves great pleasures to me, regardless of intoxication. Yesterday, I had a couple of pints with lunch, and a bottle of Worthington White Shield to relax with in the evening - at no point was I drunk, or even more than mildly merry, but the drinking was enjoyed for the sake of the fine taste of the drinks.

 

[Magnus Vile]

Having designed us, God knows that getting drunk inevitably leads to sinful behaviour (if you are refraining from sinning whilst drunk now, at some point, you will be unable to):-

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [Ephesians 5:18]


In answer to your question I believe the Bible tells us to not get drunk at all because drinking excessively ultimately leads us away from God. Why jeopardise a fulfilling relationship with God for the opportunity to trash your job, relationships, health and self-esteem?

I don't know if Christians have more of a problem with managing alcohol, though I doubt it, but I haven't had any problems with relationships, health or self esteem through alcohol. As for debauchery...

I wish.

Unless debauchery is synonymous with laughing a lot, being cheerful and going to bed, but then I don't usually drink wine, and I get filled with the spirit instead. Vodka, by preference, so maybe that's why...