Episode 1145: Sipp'n Saints / Should Christians Consume Alcoholic Beverages?Episode 1145: Sipp'n Saints / Should Christians Consume Alcoholic Beverages?
Take 12 Recovery Radio
SIPP’N SAINTS. Host Montyman and Pastor Rob Gerig examine whether Christians should consume alcoh...
1:07:23•2 Nov 2026
Sipp'n Saints: Faith, Freedom and That "Just One Drink" Question
Episode Overview
- Influence matters: even moderate drinking by Christians, especially leaders, can encourage those with alcohol problems to justify their own use.
- Scripture does not flatly ban alcohol, but the hosts stress that what is permissible is not always wise or beneficial.
- Different denominations hold very different official positions on alcohol, highlighting tension between institutional rules and personal practice.
- For people allergic to alcohol – alcoholics – the clear advice is complete abstinence, regardless of theology or culture.
- Christian freedom is framed as something that should never become a stumbling block or a liability for someone else’s recovery.
“Our liberty should never become someone else's liability.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? This conversation on Take 12 Recovery Radio tackles that question head-on by asking a hot-button one: **should Christians consume alcoholic beverages?** Host Monty Dale Meyer (the Monty'man) and Pastor Rob Gerig come at the issue with humour, stats, scripture and solid recovery experience.
They walk through survey data from Protestant and Catholic churchgoers, highlight big differences between denominations like the Nazarenes, Southern Baptists, Vineyard and Assemblies of God, and show how church policies don’t always match what people actually do. The tone stays light at times (there’s even a running joke about taco Tuesdays and donuts), but the core message is serious: alcohol is a toxin, and for anyone allergic to it – i.e. alcoholics – the answer is simple: don’t drink.
The harder bit is for non-alcoholic Christians who insist they have “freedom” in this area. As Monty and Rob keep asking, **does that freedom help anyone, or might it trip someone up?** They stress that influence can be more powerful than intention, especially for church leaders and recovery workers.
Verses about liberty, stumbling blocks and wisdom are discussed alongside real-life stories: pastors signing abstinence pledges they don’t fully believe, counsellors who drink socially, and believers trying to decide whether that glass of wine is worth the risk to their witness.
One memorable line sums it up: “Our liberty should never become someone else’s liability.” A tongue-in-cheek closing song about a pastor, priest and rabbi who drink themselves into a heavenly meeting reinforces the point: addiction doesn’t care about titles, collars or robes. The episode nudges you to ask a simple question – if giving up alcohol could strengthen someone else’s recovery, what are you really losing by saying no?
So, how does your relationship with alcohol line up with the kind of person you’re trying to be?
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