Is an addiction to alcohol primarily a sin or primarily a disease?
For the purpose of this thread, let as grant that it was a sin for
the alcoholic to start drinking knowing that it could lead to addiction,
so that we don't have to debate that.
The intent of this thread is to examine fully-developed alcoholism
from God's perspective. Is it primarily a sickness to be healed, or
a sin to be punished?
Dr. S
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesIt is a disease to be treated, yet it is the most unusual of diseases in that it effects one's physical, relational and even spiritual life. Haviing said that, it needs to be said that alcoholics are spiritual people in that they are seeking a way to end pain, albeit a destructive way to end pain.
Is an addiction to alcohol primarily a sin or primarily a disease?
For the purpose of this thread, let as grant that it was a sin for
the alcoholic to start drinking knowing that it could lead to addiction,
so that we don't have to debate that.
The intent of this thread is to examine fully-developed alcoholism
from God's perspective. Is it primarily a sickness to be healed, or
a sin to be punished?
Dr. S
Originally posted by kirksey957Well put, Kirksey. Yes, alcoholism is a disease much like any other addiction, whether it be from heroin, food, or sex. It only becomes a sin when one doesn't do something about the addiction to the point that it destroys his/her life and/or their family....I know that one can overcome alcoholism with help and determination.
It is a disease to be treated, yet it is the most unusual of diseases in that it effects one's physical, relational and even spiritual life. Haviing said that, it needs to be said that alcoholics are spiritual people in that they are seeking a way to end pain, albeit a destructive way to end pain.
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI would say it is a sin because you are letting the Alcohol control your life.
Is an addiction to alcohol primarily a sin or primarily a disease?
For the purpose of this thread, let as grant that it was a sin for
the alcoholic to start drinking knowing that it could lead to addiction,
so that we don't have to debate that.
The intent of this thread is to examine fully-developed alcoholism
from God's perspective. Is it primarily a sickness to be healed, or
a sin to be punished?
Dr. S
Originally posted by RBHILLWould you say that someone with cerbral palsy is a sinner
I would say it is a sin because you are letting the Alcohol control your life.
because he lets the disease control his life?
What about someone who has a phobia of going outdoors
(agoraphobia)? Is that person a sinner because the phobia
controls their life?
Nemesio
Originally posted by nemesioThe Bible says everyone is a sinner.
Would you say that someone with cerbral palsy is a sinner
because he lets the disease control his life?
What about someone who has a phobia of going outdoors
(agoraphobia)? Is that person a sinner because the phobia
controls their life?
Nemesio
Before I became a Christian I had a Phobia of the Aids Vires.
Originally posted by RBHILLThat isn't what I asked.
The Bible says everyone is a sinner.
Before I became a Christian I had a Phobia of the Aids Vires.
You said that someone is a sinner because alcohol controls their life.
I'm asking having a phobia or cerebral palsy makes a person a sinner
because it controls their life.
Nemesio
Originally posted by nemesioThe Bible says everyone is a sinner, Christ died for all sin.
That isn't what I asked.
You said that someone is a sinner because alcohol controls their life.
I'm asking having a phobia or cerebral palsy makes a person a sinner
because it controls their life.
Nemesio
What keeps people out of Heaven is rejecting Jesus.
Originally posted by RBHILLSo....a person isn't a sinner simply by virtue of their
The Bible says everyone is a sinner, Christ died for all sin.
What keeps people out of Heaven is rejecting Jesus.
alcoholism, because all people are sinners.
Right?
So what if an alcoholic turns to Christ and accepts
Him as his Lord and Savior, but continues to drink?
Nemesio
Originally posted by nemesio1 Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
So....a person isn't a sinner simply by virtue of their
alcoholism, because all people are sinners.
Right?
So what if an alcoholic turns to Christ and accepts
Him as his Lord and Savior, but continues to drink?
Nemesio
Christ is all powerful in healing, being a Christian isn't easy. The most powerful tool for a Christian is prayer and Prayer and support by other believers. At the Church that I go to we have a mens Prayer meeting every Wed. Morning and People come out and tell there Problems and we all lay hands on them and pray for them.
Originally posted by RBHILLBut these people in your prayer group, who are saved, still
1 Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Christ is all powerful in healing, being a Christian isn't easy. The most powerful tool for a Christian is prayer and Prayer and support by other believers. At the Church that I go to we have a mens Prayer meeting every Wed. Morning and People come out and tell there Problems and we all lay hands on them and pray for them.
have problems, right? They are still sinners, right?
So an alcoholic can be saved, as long as he prays to Christ
sincerely for healing, right?
Nemesio
I don't believe in the idea of sin, so instead I shall say this.
Drinking is a weakness of character when it is often and in large amounts. It can be enjoyable sometimes and in small amounts, for special occasions etc. But to drink regularly is wrong, both for you as a physiological entity and as a psychological entity. Alcoholism is most definitely a disease to be found at the end of this path. Addiction like any disease is painful both mentally and physically.
I have a friend who drinks, he is not yet an alcoholic, but he shows more and more of the symptoms. His first thought when meeting friends is "let's have a drink". At the end of a night out when others get home and have a cup of tea and then head to bed, he will drink another vodka and eventually pass out on the sofa. His mindset is beginning to be that of an alcoholic, most evident when he says thigns like "I wasn't that drunk" or when he thinks that getting thrown out of a bar is funny and not in the slightest bit embarrassing for everyone else. He gets intimidating and offensive and does not realise it and even when he is sober he has started to show more and more charcteristics of his drunkeness. I worry about him, but he will not listen to me, he thinks I am nagging.
So it is a serious problem and one that cannot be solved by accepting Jesus, or praying for salvation, it is not a religious issue at all. Even were I to believe in the concept of sin, I would not call him a sinner because he has a problem. Fair enough he does sin for a great many things, of which gluttony for alcohol is one of them, but actual alcoholism cannot be cured through faith and religion, it has surpassed sin and is a disease.
Originally posted by StarrmanI liked what you wrote as it shows the progressive nature of the disease with your friend. I think we are talking about the same thing when you say that religion cannot cure a disease. I think what you were saying was that being a Christian is no guarantee that you will not be effected by alcoholism. However, many people in recovery from alcoholism give up religion and find hope and healing in spirituality. This is an important distinction.
I don't believe in the idea of sin, so instead I shall say this.
Drinking is a weakness of character when it is often and in large amounts. It can be enjoyable sometimes and in small amounts, for special occasions etc. But to drink regularly is wrong, both for you as a physiological entity and as a psychological entity. Alcoholism is most definitely ...[text shortened]... al alcoholism cannot be cured through faith and religion, it has surpassed sin and is a disease.
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesHiccup.
Is an addiction to alcohol primarily a sin or primarily a disease?
For the purpose of this thread, let as grant that it was a sin for
the alcoholic to start drinking knowing that it could lead to addiction,
so that we don't have to debate that.
The intent of this thread is to examine fully-developed alcoholism
from God's perspective. Is it primarily a sickness to be healed, or
a sin to be punished?
Dr. S