Richard Crocker
College Chaplain
There is a wide range of attitudes about alcohol within Christianity. Some churches assume that wine was part of Jesus' last supper, and so the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, or the Eucharist as it is known in various liturgical churches such as the Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Lutheran, etc. may incorporate a taste of wine, representing the blood of Christ. More evangelical Protestant churches often use unfermented grape juice instead of wine.
Although all Christian churches see the intemperate use of alcohol as a problem, some churches (usually evangelical Protestant) strictly prohibit the use of alcohol, while others discourage its use. Other churches see nothing wrong with the moderate use of alcohol.
Since the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous, many churches have supported the movement and provided space for meetings. Almost all Christian churches see alcoholism as a medical disease, and they see spiritual resources as important components in recovery.
