The New Intoxication - part 8b: A Plea for Consistency

     In the last post in this series which makes up the article I've called, "The New Intoxication", I began to make a plea for consistent thought when it comes to the way we, the Church in particular, address the consumption of intoxicating substances, regardless of motive. In this post I will conclude that plea.

Though it may seem so, I'm really not trying to make the case for the use of any of the substances I’ve mentioned. I am merely trying to make the case for a biblically consistent philosophy regarding these matters when it comes to the prophetic voice of the Church. It is of paramount importance that we, especially when we must be involved in the condemnation of even the moderate use of a substance, attempt to remain as consistent as possible when we counteract cultural practices. Essentially, and from God's perspective, hypocrisy is no less a sin than addiction. So the Church's' voice is tainted in the eyes of our culture when we maintain blatant inconsistencies. Not to suggest that our doctrine and practice are to be tailored to cultural expectations, but there is no need in adding offence to the message of the Cross, especially when even Christians disagree over an issue such as this. This question has thus been begged: is it inconsistent to insist that the medically motivated use of prescription drugs, for albeit controversially diagnosed illnesses, is permissible while even the moderate consumption of alcohol or tobacco, for recreational reasons is in all cases forbidden? Perhaps that category of professed believers who claims both of the above items does not exist—a category in which persons are "T-totalers" when it comes to certain substances but fully agreeable when it comes to the medical use of others. For instance, when the same group denounces the use of alcohol for any reason yet supports the use of prescribed pharmaceuticals for depression or hyper-activity, I think the possibility for inconsistency blossoms. Conversely when a group, for theological reasons, condemns the use of any psychoactive drug yet sees no reason to condemn the use of alcohol or tobacco for recreational reasons, inconsistency in that case may tend to lead to hypocrisy. So I say yes, it is inconsistent to insist on abstaining from the use of alcohol while at the same time, obliging the use of prescription drugs for depression and hyperactivity.

Bearing all that in mind, I believe it is the wisdom of God that tells the Church that adding offense to the most offensive event of human history, the life and passion of Christ the God-Man and to the good news He brings the world is unnecessary, not to mention wrong. But I must admit the guilt of adding such offense to the gospel, if not surrounding this topic, then certainly involving some other topic where I've used my personal preferences like we are supposed to use God's Law.

In the next post in this series I will make an assesment of this topic based on the discussion I've presented so far.