CHRISTIAN ETHICS

Christian Ethics: Alcohol

Christian Ethics: Alcohol

Christian ethics has increasingly assumed a central place within academic theology. At the same time the growing power and ambiguity of modern science and the rising dissatisfaction within the social sciences about claims to value-neutrality have prompted renewed interest in ethics within the secular academic world. There is? therefore? a need for studies in Christian ethics which? as well as being concerned with the relevance of Christian ethics to the present-day secular debate? are well informed about parallel discussions in recent philosophy? science or social science. New Studies in Christian Ethics aims to provide books that do this at the highest intellectual level and demonstrate that Christian ethics can make a distinctive contribution to this debate - either in moral substance or in terms of underlying moral justifications.

The Bible relates that Jesus instructed his disciples to drink wine in memory of him. Some Christians therefore see alcohol as a 'good creature of God'? as the Puritan Increase Mather put it. Yet other key Christian writings portray drunkenness as a facilitator of all manner of sin? and emphasize that Christians must forego certain pleasures? even if they can handle them personally? for the sake of those who cannot. Some Christians therefore see alcohol as inherently evil. Which of these two traditions in Christian thought is more theologically compelling? and how has each shaped the church's past and current stance on alcohol use? alcoholism and alcohol policy?

As an Anglican priest? psychiatrist and addiction specialist Christopher Cook is uniquely qualified to explore these questions? and in his latest book he does so with erudition? perspicacity and compassion. His history of Christian views on alcohol begins with Augustine of Hippo? who initiated a stream of Christian thought that has been influential for over 15 centuries. To Augustine? self-indulgent drunkenness? rather than drinking or alcohol per se? was to be deplored because it separated the drinker from God. In Augustine's view (which? although Cook does not say so explicitly? parallels some ideas of Alcoholics Anonymous)? God has the power to free a drunkard from the compulsion to drink? but only if the drunkard humbly asks for grace.

Cook compares Augustinian thought on alcohol with those of some other theological giants (Aquinas and Luther)? as well with the lesser-known but historically significant Evangelical George Whitefield. Cook's most effective technique in this part of the book is to contrast how each thinker interpreted the same Biblical account of Lot's drunken incest with his daughters.

In his most intriguing chapter? Cook details how Christianity became substantially more anti-alcohol during the 19th century temperance movement. Given that one of Jesus' miracles was to create more wine for a group of already intoxicated wedding guests? it takes some tortuous Biblical interpretation to conclude that Christianity requires abstinence. Yet? as Cook shows? many preachers of the period were up to the task. He points out gently—perhaps too gently—that within the 19th century temperance movement? Biblical interpretation often followed current opinion more than guided ...