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Christians who do not commit to a principle of total abstinence should follow a guideline that would represent both discernment and Christian freedom by allowing limited use, now and then, within the context of family, friendship, religious celebration, and diplomatic protocol.

These limits need not imply the strictness of an absolute principle. Still, they should be taken seriously. Such a policy offers the practical advantages of sobriety, the personal advantages of responsible maturity, and the theological advantages of biblical wisdom.

J. Lawrence Burkholder is president emeritus of Goshen College in Indiana.

Be sure to check out our supplemental articles on Christians and alcohol:

Amassed Media: The Drink Debate | What Christian leaders past and present have said about social drinking—and where to find them online.

CT Classic: America's Battle Against the Bottle | Evangelical support of temperance is no cause for embarrassment in our intemperate society.

CT Classic: Total Abstinence and Biblical Principles | One of Christianity Today's earliest cover stories examined alcohol on the 25th anniversary of Prohibition's repeal.

• Should We All Speak in Tongues?
• Did Jesus Really Descend to Hell?
• Take, Eat-But How Often?
• Is Christmas Pagan?
• Are Christians Required to Tithe?
• Is Revelation Prophecy or History?
• You're Divorced-Can You Remarry?
• If Grace Is Irresistible, Why Evangelize?
• If I'm an Evangelical, What Am I?
• A Cracked Code
• Committing the Unforgivable Sin
• What Bible Version Did Jesus Read?
• Did God Die on the Cross?
• You Must Be Born Again-but at What Age?
• Was the Revolutionary War Justified?
• Can the Dead Be Converted?
• Cloaked in Mystery
• Is Hell Forever?
• Denominations: Divided We Stand
• Did Paul Baptize for the Dead?
• Do Demons Have Zip Codes?
• Doubting Thomas's Gospel

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April 3 2000, Vol. 44, No. 4