“To Gargle Or Not To Gargle”

Thursday, December 06, 2012

     Our preacher recently gave a sermon on drinking, and he said that even the smallest amount of alcohol consumption is sin.  After the sermon, he was asked if rinsing with mouthwash containing alcohol (of which slight molecules of alcohol are ingested through absorption into the tissues) was also sin.  He did not want to contradict his previous statement that one drink was “one drink drunk” and, subsequently, condemned the use of alcohol mouthwash.  Is this an example of reductio ad absurdum?

Sincerely,
Incredulous

Dear Incredulous,

It is obvious from how you wrote your question that you believe it is an example of reduction to absurdity, and in this case, we agree.  We won’t address your preacher’s point of view on drinking; let’s just look at what the Bible says.

1 Tim 5:23 states that medicinal use of alcohol is perfectly permissible – mouthwash would fit into that category.  The problem with the alcohol question is that God never specifically condemns all alcoholic beverages.  However, He does condemn ‘strong drink’ (Pr 20:1), drinking parties (1 Pet 4:3), and drunkenness (Rom 13:13).  Almost all alcohol that is consumed today would fall into the category of ‘strong drink’ because our alcoholic beverages are artificially fermented to increase their alcoholic content (unlike the wine of Jesus’ day – read “That’s Just Grape” for further details on the wine Jesus drank).  At the end of the day, we would all do well to heed the words of Pr 23:31-32 and avoid alcohol as much as is possible.

Share