John Piper’s view on alcohol consumption is encapsulated in these four sources:
- “Total Abstinence and Church Membership,” a sermon preached on October 4, 1981
- “Flesh Tank and Peashooter Regulations,” a sermon on Colossians 2:16–23 preached on January 17, 1982
- “Is It Okay to Drink Alcohol?” Ask Pastor John podcast, May 8, 2010
- “Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?” Ask Pastor John podcast, October 23, 2013
Total Abstinence and Church Membership
“Total Abstinence and Church Membership,” though delivered nearly 32 years ago, is his most extensive treatment on the subject (that I’ve come across). In it he gives four main reasons that he personally abstains from alcohol consumption:
- “. . . because of my conscience.”
- “. . . alcohol is a mind-altering drug.”
- “. . . alcohol is addictive.”
- “. . . to make a social statement.”