For the last 150 years or more, the overwhelming majority of Bible believing Christians have been firmly committed to the practice of total abstinence from alcohol consumption. Only a relatively small proportion of evangelicals have disagreed, reserving the right to drink in moderation.
Thomas Hamilton records for us the rise of the Temperance Movement in Ireland in his History of Presbyterianism. The year 1829 saw the birth of this movement. The consumption of intoxicating liquor had doubled during the previous ten years in the United kingdom.
Rev John Edgar of the Succession Synod led the way. He was told of the temperance societies established in America. Edgar agreed with the cause at once and is said to have opened his window and poured out the remains of a gallon of whisky, and from then on he became known as the ‘apostle' of the movement.
The cause for Temperence was maintained until there was a change in the attitudes of the people. In 1876, the General Assembly of the Irish Presbyterian Church urged the adoption of the practice of total abstinence on all the people under its care.
However the scene has now dramtically changed. There has been a wholesale abandoning of the long held abstentionist view. There are those who now argue that believers should be allowed to drink in moderation.
As a denomination we hold to the position of total abstention of all non-medical use of alcohol. We do so because we believe that this is Scriptural.
Consider: 1. The Biblical framework of alcohol use 2. The world of alcohol today 3. The principles that should guide believers in judging this matter today.
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