THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
Is drinking alcohol acceptable (2 Timothy 5:23) or not (Proverbs 23:31-34)? Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Let us look at the passages in question:

1 Timothy 5:23
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Proverbs 23:31-34
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast...

Sure enough, one Bible text speaks acceptably of drinking alcohol, and the other speaks evil of it. However, it would be appropriate to note something about the wording of each. First, notice in Paul's words to Timothy, he says, "...no longer drink only water..." Drinking alcohol was something that Timothy did not engage in, otherwise, Paul's suggestion that he use some would be unfounded. Notice also, the wine that Timothy would use was not for the purpose of intoxication, nor would it be sufficent in quantity to do so. He was to "...use a little wine...", and that "...for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities." Timothy's use of wine would be for medicinal purposes, not to derive pleasure from the consumption.

In contrast, the Proverb writer speaks of one who is addicted to the buzz of strong drink. He looks on it, it's gleam catches his eye, but it is a serpent and a viper to him. It clouds his perception, and profanes his thoughts. Surely it can be seen that this is not the same as the directive given to Timothy.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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