Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 12/26/2007

Question
QUESTION: I was once told that in one of Paul's letters he warns against discussing religion while alcohol is being consumed, something like: Do not discuss religion while the wine is flowing. Does it exist and if so where is it in the bible?

ANSWER: There are numerous exhortations against being drunk but I don't remember anything off of the top of my head with anything about any topics not to be be discussed by drunks be it in the OT or NT. If you are drunk it doesn't really matter much about the subject matter. If there were such a command I know for sure that most drunks do not heed it.  Some of the most heated and sometmes best debates on religious issues come from among a group of drunken men.  Someone might have taken the concept that pastor's aren't supposed to be drunk and developed that you should not talk about religion while drunk to keep the drunkened preachers quiet.

May God richly bless you as you seek His will in His Word1

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I think this was no so much about the preacher being drunk, but a Christian trying to make a religious point or convince someone of Christianity or a point of Christianity to someone who has been drinking - or religion is serious enough that serious religious talk does not mix with the party atmosphere

Answer
Ah, now I see.  Well, like all fisherman you have to know what kind of fish you are trying to catch, what time of day and weather conditions are best and what bait to use.  I don't think you can categorically wipe out all opportunities to witness to someone at a party or if they are a tad pickled.  

Sometimes the alcohol does drop their defenses as well as their inhibitions thus making it maybe the only time they will listen.  I mean if you are at a wedding reception and someone brings an issue up you should not just ignore it but you have to use discernment.  Are the two of you somewhere off from the crowd and not getting loud to disrupt the others?  If so, go from A to Z and back again if the lad is listening seriously.  

Obviously, if he appears to be near to a comatose state you are most likely wasting your time but there are different states of drunkeness. He may be using the tipsy thing as a coverup should someone hear him talking religion and rag him the next day.  He can laugh and say, "Hey, I was drunk and this Jesus freak dude was funny" but deep down he really is seeking and hanging on to every word.

If he or you are getting loud and rowdy then you may need to give him a card or better yet swap cards if he has one and say, "Hey, let's discuss this tomorrow at lunch or meet for coffee, my treat" and then mingle into the crowd.

You don't want to just kick any spiritual conversation to the curb.  People talk about all sorts of things at parties so if you can inject God into it, why not?  
Some guy or gal might just get saved.  

Jesus saved demoniacs so the Spirit getting through to a drunk is a piece of cake if He is active in the encounter.  Even if the lad may go home via a taxi or a designated drive he can still be killed in accident or have an MI and that meeting between the two of you was God giving him one last shot to be saved.  

Take every appropriate opportunity to save a soul from hell but fish wisely.  If you find him in a corner in a passionate embrace with a gal, that is not the time to say, "Excuse me but if you were to die tonight would you be in Heaven or Hell?"  It may seem a good time especially if you know they are both married but not to each other but most likely the only response you will get is kicked or cussed or in some other way get your feelings or body hurt.

BUT if you are standing in the garden or off to the side and some guy comes staggering up to and says, "I heard you're a _____  Christian.  Do you really believe in _______?"  Don't take offense if the first blank is filled with with an perjorative or an expletive instead of an adjective like born-again or committed.  Now if the last blank is obviously a taunt or silliness then smile and say, "Well, that is a different or interesting question but what I really believe or believe most of all is that God loved me and you so much that He sent His Son to die and rise again to forgive our sins and make us His adopted sons."  After that, use your discernment as to where to take the conversation.

Be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove for you never know where the Spirit might lead you to a lost person or lead a lost person to you.

Time is short, glean where you can and rejoice!

Maranatha!!!