Expert: Brian Thompson - 7/25/2008

Question
It is believed by most Christian faiths that drinking alcohol is a sin. Do AoG believe this? Second if Yes, then shouldn't the drug caffiene also be banned by the churches?

Answer
This is an entirely false interpretation of the Scriptures and Christian practice. Only a few Christian denominations and some cults seek to prohibit alcohol. As far as I am aware the AoG even permits their Pastors alcohol.

Having said this the Scriptures are clear that alcohol is to taken in moderation since the sin is not the substances but the abuse of it.  There is evidence that Jesus even drank alcohol whilst among us. Therefore drunkenness and the abusive behaviour which goes with it is to be avoided. Using the logic you have used here food should also be banned because eating can lead to gluttony. Substance prohibition has not been demonstrated to be a successful model for society and leads to greater "sins" through lawlessness as was demonstrated in the USA in the twentieth century