Teetotalism

Teetotalism is the principle or practice of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices this is a teetotaler.1

In Christianity this is attributed to groups of Christians who believe that drinking alcohol is a sin in that it detracts from our walk with Christ.

Is Teetotalism Legalistic?

"Legalism is a more dangerous disease than alcoholism because it doesn't look like one. Alcoholism makes men fail; legalism helps them succeed in the world. Alcoholism makes men depend on the bottle; legalism makes them self-sufficient, depending on no one. Alcoholism destroys moral resolve; legalism gives it strength. Alcoholics don't feel welcome in church; legalists love to hear their morality extolled in church. Therefore, what we need in this church is not front end regulations to try to keep ourselves pure. We need to preach and pray and believe that "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, neither teetotalism nor social drinking, neither legalism nor alcoholism is of any avail with God, but only a new creation (a new heart)" (Gal. 6:15; 5:6)." - John Piper

See also

  • Alcohol, Drinking of

External links