Ellen G. White and Alcoholic Beverages

What did Ellen White really say about alcohol and its use?

Four years before her death, Ellen White wrote, "I rejoice that it has been my privilege to bear my testimony on this subject [temperance] before crowded assemblies in many countries. Many times I have spoken on this subject to large congregations at our camp meetings."1

Temperance was her "favorite subject."2 Throughout her public ministry, she crusaded for the cause of temperance in large halls, tents, Protestant churches, prisons, temperance societies, rehabilitation homes, camp meetings, and private interest groups across North America and abroad, speaking to audiences as large as 20,000 at a time.3

In view of Ellen White's fundamental role in promoting the cause of temperance and defining its meaning and relevance to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we shall examine her understanding of the importance of Christian temperance in general and of abstinence from alcoholic beverages in particular. The primary source for this study is the book Temperance As Set Forth in the Writings of Ellen G. White, known simply as Temperance.4

Ellen White's Theology of Abstinence

Meaning of Temperance

Ellen White uses the term "temperance" to denote moderation in the use of all healthful things and total abstinence from all that is harmful. "Those who would preserve their powers unimpaired for the service of God must observe strict temperance in the use of His bounties, as well as total abstinence from every injurious or debasing indulgence."5 "True temperance calls for total abstinence from strong drink. It calls also for reform in dietetic habits, in dressing, in sleeping."6

An indication of the close connection between temperance and abstinence in the mind of Ellen White is provided by her references to intemperance. "The only way in which any can be secure against the power of intemperance, is to abstain wholly from wine, beer, and strong drinks."7 Repeatedly she emphasizes the idea of abstinence: "'Touch not, taste not,' should be your motto. You should be temperate in eating. But, liquor—let it alone. Touch it not. There can be no temperance in its use."8 "With the awful results of indulgence in intoxicating drink before us, how is it that any man or woman who claims to believe in the word of God, can venture to touch, taste, or handle wine or strong drink?"9

Such statements show that for Ellen White temperance meant primarily abstinence from intoxicating substances such as alcoholic beverages and secondarily moderation in the use of good things.

Importance of Temperance

"From the light God has given me," Ellen White wrote, "every member among us should sign the pledge and be connected with the temperance association."10 She encouraged "temperance workers... to induce the drunkard to sign a pledge that henceforth he will not use intoxicating liquor."11 She also urged that prominent people sign the total abstinence pledge: "To those in high positions we are to present the total abstinence pledge, asking them to give the money they would otherwise spend for the harmful indulgences of liquor and tobacco to the establishment of institutions where children and youth may be prepared to fill positions of usefulness in the world."12

Ellen White frequently mentioned the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, whose major objectives she endorsed: "None who claim to have part in the work of God, should lose interest in the grand object of this organization in temperance lines."13 "The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is an organization with whose efforts for the spread of temperance we can heartily unite.... By uniting with them in behalf of total abstinence, we do not change our position regarding the observance of the seventh day, and we can show our appreciation of their position regarding the subject of temperance."14

Part of Third Angel's Message

The reason that abstinence in particular and health reform in general were vitally important for Ellen White and the Adventist pioneers was that these were seen not merely as physiological principles, but primarily as Biblical truths to be proclaimed as part of the third angel's message (Rev 14:9). Adventists see in this angel a representation of their own prophetic mission to warn the world and prepare a people for Christ's soon coming. Ellen White wrote, "We want you to see the importance of this temperance question, and we want our workers to interest themselves in it, and to know that it is just as much connected with the third angel's message as the right arm is with the body."15

Part of the Gospel

Since the third angel's message is part of the "everlasting gospel" (Rev 14:6), Ellen White urged the presentation of total abstinence as part of the gospel. "When temperance is presented as a part of the gospel, many will see their need of reform. They will see the evil of intoxicating liquors, and that total abstinence is the only platform on which God's people can conscientiously stand."16

Again, she wrote: "Adam and Eve fell through intemperate appetite. Christ came and withstood the fiercest temptation of Satan, and, in behalf of the race, overcame appetite, showing that man may overcome. As Adam fell through appetite and lost blissful Eden, the children of Adam may, through Christ, overcome appetite, and through temperance in all things regain Eden."18

Preparation for Christ's Coming

For Ellen White, the restoration of God's moral image in human beings through the power of Christ was an essential part of preparing for Christ's return: "All who would perfect holiness in the fear of God must learn the lessons of temperance and self-control. The appetites and passions must be held in subjection to the higher powers of the mind. This self-discipline is essential to that mental strength and spiritual insight which will enable us to understand and to practice the sacred truths of God's word. For this reason temperance finds its place in the work of preparation for Christ's second coming."19

Speaking of "the evils of intemperance in eating and drinking, and especially the evil of liquor-drinking," she said: "If these things were presented in connection with the evidences of Christ's soon coming, there would be a shaking among the people. If we showed a zeal in proportion to the importance of the truths we are handling, we might be instrumental in rescuing hundreds, yea thousands, from ruin."20

Statements such as this make one wonder if a reason that Adventists are no longer "shaken" by the use of intoxicating drinks and substances is that they have lost the sense of urgency to prepare for Christ's soon return. Ellen White saw the practice of strict abstinence as especially necessary for the final crisis. In a dream she saw a divine messenger rebuking some who refused to sign the temperance pledge, saying: "When the plagues of God shall be all around you, you will then see the principles of health reform and strict temperance in all things—that temperance alone is the foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all victories to be gained."21 Ellen White warned, "It is impossible for one who loves these stimulants, and accustoms himself to their use, to grow in grace."22

Theology of Abstinence

Ellen White saw temperance in general, and abstinence in particular, as moral and theological truths and not merely as issues of health and society. It was her theological understanding of temperance that made her public discourses on this subject markedly different from those of most temperance speakers. While the latter filled their speeches with medical data, statistics and stories, Ellen White, as her husband testified, "appealed to the people upon the subject of Christian temperance from a Bible standpoint."23 This was to be the Adventist approach. "In all our large gatherings," Ellen White wrote, "we must bring the temperance question before our hearers in the strongest appeals and by the most convincing arguments. The Lord has given us the work of teaching Christian temperance from a Bible standpoint."24

How did Mrs. White present this emphasis? "My subject was temperance, treated from the Christian standpoint, the fall of Adam, the promise of Eden, the coming of Christ to our world, His baptism, His temptation in the wilderness, and His victory. And all this to give man another trial, making it possible for man to overcome.... Christ came to bring to man moral power that he may be victorious in overcoming temptations on the point of appetite, and break the chain of slavery of habit and indulgence of perverted appetite and stand forth in moral power as a man.... It was so different from anything that they had ever heard on temperance, they were held as if spellbound."25

Seven major points of Ellen White's theological approach to temperance can be summarized as follows:26

It was by the indulgence of appetite that our first parents fell and the antediluvian world was destroyed.

The Bible teaches total abstinence by means of warnings and examples.

A significant warning is the divine punishment upon Nadab and Abihu, because their minds became so beclouded by intoxicating drink that they offered "strange fire" (Lev 10:1-8).

The examples of abstinence most often cited are the instructions given to the wife of Manoah, Daniel's stand for abstinence, John the Baptist, and above all Jesus Christ.

In the wilderness of temptation Christ endured the test of appetite which our first parents failed to bear.

By Christ's power we can overcome desire for any intoxicating drink and be restored to the moral image of God.

Preparation for Christ's return calls for a life of holiness and abstinence.

Moral Basis of Abstinence

Ellen White understood intemperance as resulting in our fallen nature; by contrast, she saw temperance/abstinence as the fruit of redemption. So for her the drinking of alcoholic beverages, as a symptom of intemperance, was a moral rather than just a medical issue, or we might say, a sin rather than merely a sickness. This view is unpopular today when it is customary to treat problem drinking as a disease, thus releasing people from any active responsibility for their condition or their wrongdoings. The cause of the problem is generally ascribed to some physical, cultural, or psychological factors, a breakdown of a piece of the inner machinery of the organism.

The disease model weakens a person's resolution to deal with the problem responsibly; insidiously it encourages more of the same behavior, since the individual knows that he or she will be excused for it and not be held directly responsible. On the contrary Ellen White counsels those who feel unable to break away from drinking to plant "their feet firmly on principle, determined not to taste alcoholic drink or use tobacco."27 She continues, "These are poisons, and their use is a violation of God's law."

Erosion of Conviction

Ellen White clearly understood that God has forbidden the use of alcoholic beverages. But to my surprise I have found that some church members and even some pastors are confused on this subject. Some sincerely believe that the Bible teaches moderation rather than abstinence from alcoholic beverages.

The special temperance issue of the Adventist Review in 1982 expressed another uncertainty: "More and more we seem to be encountering people, both within and without the church, who demand to be shown that the Scripture requires total abstinence. And unless we have done our homework, we may discover ourselves on the defensive. The truth is, the Bible does not contain the type of concise and explicit directive enjoining total abstinence that many of us would like to see."29 The same thought appears in the next paragraph: "total abstinence is but one of a number of areas where the Bible gives no explicit directive."30 Though the author strongly supports total abstinence from the Bible, he feels it must be done by drawing inferences and by applying larger Bible principles rather than by finding clear Scriptural commands addressed directly to the issue.

My own study has shown otherwise. Scripture does give clear directives not to even "look at wine" (Prov 23:31) and to be abstinent (Lev 10:9; Prov 31:4; 1 Thess 5:8; 1 Pet 1:13; 4:7; 5:8; 1 Tim 3:2, 11; Titus 2:2). Part of the problem is that some crucial Bible texts have been mistranslated, presumably to save face for those advocating moderate drinking while condemning drunkenness.31

Clear Biblical Conviction

There was no doubt in the mind of Ellen White that the Bible explicitly condemns the use of alcoholic beverages. She writes: "The Bible nowhere sanctions the use of intoxicating wine.... It was Christ who, in the Old Testament, gave the warning to Israel, 'wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise' (Prov 20:1).... It was Christ who directed that John the Baptist should drink neither wine nor strong drink. It was He who enjoined similar abstinence upon the wife of Manoah. Christ did not contradict His own teaching. The unfermented wine that He provided for the wedding guests was a wholesome and refreshing drink. This is the wine that was used by our Saviour and His disciples in the first communion."32

In commenting on Leviticus 10:9 where God says to Aaron, "Drink no wine nor strong drink, you nor your sons with you," Ellen White said: "Here we have the most plain directions of God, and His reasons for prohibiting the use of wine; that their power of discrimination and discernment might be clear, and in no way confused; that their judgment might be correct, and they be ever able to discern between the clean and unclean."33 Elsewhere she said, "The Lord has given special directions in His word in reference to the use of wine and strong drink. He has forbidden their use, and enforced His prohibitions with strong warnings and threatenings."34

Ellen White often referred to the example of abstinence given by Daniel and his three companions. "Not only did these young men decline to drink the king's wine, but they refrained from the luxuries of his table. They obeyed the divine law, both natural and moral."35 From their example she drew the lesson that "those who would preserve their powers unimpaired for the service of God must observe strict temperance in the use of all His bounties, as well as total abstinence from every injurious or debasing indulgence."

In summary, Ellen White deeply believed that total abstinence is a principle clearly taught in Scripture. Disregard for this principle represents a violation of the law of God. Obedience to this principle, through Christ's enabling power, contributes to the restoration of God's moral image in us. Total abstinence is part of the gospel and more specifically of the third angel's message. This means that abstinence is part of the process of restoration brought about by the power of the gospel—a restoration which is an essential part of the preparation for Christ's return.

Consequences of Using Alcohol

Effect on the Individual

Repeatedly and emphatically Ellen White spoke of the ill effects of alcohol upon the mind. "The brain is clouded; reason no longer holds the reins, but lays them on the neck of lust."36 "The wine they have drunk has enfeebled the memory. They are like persons aged in years. The brain is no longer able to produce its rich treasures when required."37 "Alcohol robs men of their reasoning powers."38 "The nervous system is disordered."39 "Free use of wine, becloud[s] the senses."40 "The effect of wine upon the intellect is to confuse."41

Modern research bears out the fact that alcohol causes a loss of cells in different regions of the brain and disrupts the connection between nerve cells. This impairs the reasoning power, the vision and the hearing.42

Alcohol benumbs the moral sensibilities and inhibitions. Ellen White expressed this truth in a variety of ways: "Their [the drinkers'] intellect is enfeebled, their moral powers are weakened, their sensibilities are benumbed, and the claims of God and heaven are not realized, eternal things are not appreciated."43 When the taste for stimulants is cultivated, "The strongest resolutions are undermined, and eternal interests are too weak to keep the debased appetite under the control of reason."44

She says that one "who loves these stimulants, and accustoms himself to their use, never grows in grace. He becomes gross and sensual; the animal passions control the higher powers of the mind, and virtue is not cherished."45

Alcohol also has physical effects. Ellen White stated in simple, non-technical language about a century ago what modern medical research has amply confirmed. She says, among other things, that alcoholic beverages corrupt the blood, injure the digestive organs and the brain, disorder the nervous system, weaken the ability of the body to resist disease, cause mental and physical degeneracy, and "produce diseases of every kind."46

Effect on the Home

Ellen White emphasizes that alcohol takes its toll not only on individuals but also on families. She writes, "As a result of the use of these poisons [intoxicating liquors], thousands of families are deprived of the comforts and even the necessaries of life, acts of violence and crime are multiplied, and disease and death hurry myriads of victims to a drunkard's grave."47 "Look upon the drunkard's home.... See the once happy wife fleeing before her maniac husband.... Day by day the cries of agony wrenched from the lips of the drunkard's wife and children go up to heaven."48

Such abuses are of satanic origin. "The cruelty of Satan is expressed as the drunkard lifts his hand to strike down the wife he has promised to love and cherish as long as life shall last. The deeds of a drunkard are an expression of Satan's violence."49 These abuses on the family are not perpetrated only by men: "In many a household, little children, even in the innocence and helplessness of babyhood, are in daily peril through the neglect, the abuse, the vileness of drunken mothers. Sons and daughters are growing up under the shadow of this terrible evil."50

Effect on Society

In her writings Ellen White shows special concern over the effects of alcohol on the society, in terms of crime, economic cost, accidents, public health and responsible leadership. A sampling of her comments on each of these areas will be given.

Crime is causally connected to drinking because, Ellen White says, by drinking "reason is paralyzed, the intellect is benumbed, the animal passions are excited, and then follow crimes of the most debasing character."51 "Yet the liquor curse is legalized, and works untold ruin in the hands of those who love to tamper with that which ruins not only the poor victim, but his whole family."52

Ellen White notes the economic cost of alcohol to society: "Every year millions upon millions of gallons of intoxicating liquors are consumed. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent in buying wretchedness, poverty, disease, degradation, lust, crime, and death. For the sake of gain, the liquor dealer deals out to his victims that which corrupts and destroys mind and body. He entails on the drunkard's family poverty and wretchedness."53 "The cries of the starving millions in our world would soon be hushed if the money put into the tills of the liquor sellers were spent in alleviating the suffering of humanity."54

Accidents cause major losses of life and property. During most of Mrs. White's life, automobiles were unknown. The "traffic accidents" of her day involved mostly boats, trains and ocean steamers. Referring to these, she writes: "How many frightful accidents occur through the influence of drink."55 "Are the men who command the great ocean steamers, who have the control of railways, strict temperance men? Are their brains free from the influence of intoxicants? If not, the accidents occurring under their management will be charged to them by the God of heaven, whose property men and women are."56

Ellen White addresses also the effect of alcohol on public health: "Among the victims of intemperance are men of all classes and all professions. Men of high station, of eminent talents, of great attainments, have yielded to the indulgence of appetite, until they are helpless to resist temptation. Some of them who were once in the possession of wealth are without home, without friends, in suffering, misery, disease, and degradation. They have lost their self-control. Unless a helping hand is held out to them, they will sink lower and lower. With these self-indulgence is not only a moral sin, but a physical disease."57

Ellen White places responsibility on officials and lawmakers: "Are not the rulers of the land largely responsible for the aggravated crimes, the current of deadly evil, that is the result of the liquor traffic? Is it not their duty and in their power to remove this deadly evil? Let lawmakers consider whether or not all this imperiling of human life, of physical power and mental vision, is unavoidable. Is all this destruction of human life necessary?"58

The liquor dealer also has a responsibility because, as Ellen White says, "no matter whether or not he has been permitted by the law of the land to sell poisonous drinks to his neighbor, he will be held accountable in the sight of heaven for degrading the soul that has been redeemed by Christ.... They [liquor sellers] will be charged with the misery, the suffering, the hopelessness, brought into the world through the liquor traffic. They will have to answer for the woe and want of the mothers and children who have suffered for food and clothing and shelter, who have buried all hope and joy."59

Helping the Addicted

Present the Claims of God's Law

"In our work for the fallen," writes Ellen White, "the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty to Him are to be impressed on mind and heart. Never fail to show that there is a marked difference between the one who serves God and the one who serves Him not. God is love, but He cannot excuse willful disregard for His commands."62

Persons addicted to alcohol must be shown, in Christian love, that their addiction is not merely a bad habit or sickness, but sin—a sin which God is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse (1 John 1:9). "When men who have indulged in wrong habits and sinful practices yield to the power of divine truth, the application of that truth to the heart revives the moral powers, which had seemed to be paralyzed."63

Determination to Abstain

"The victims of evil habit," Ellen White writes, "must be aroused to the necessity of making an effort for themselves. Others may put forth the most earnest endeavor to uplift them, the grace of God may be freely offered, Christ may entreat, His angels may minister; but all will be in vain unless they themselves are roused to fight the battle in their own behalf."64 Repeatedly she emphasizes the vital role of the will. "The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man—the power of decision, of choice. Everything depends upon the right action of the will.... Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to God. They do not choose to serve Him."65

Recent research is challenging the popular view of alcoholism as a disease which incapacitates the drinker's will, showing instead that "a drinker can and must assume some responsibility for change, even while admitting that this commitment alone will not turn the tide."66 This research fully supports Ellen White's counsel to the addicted.

Reassurance of Divine Forgiveness and Power

"The very first and most important thing," writes Ellen White, "is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-bearer, the sin-pardoning Saviour, making the gospel as clear as possible. When the Holy Spirit works among us... souls who are unready for Christ's appearing are convicted.... The tobacco devotees sacrifice their idol and the liquor drinker his liquor. They could not do this if they did not grasp by faith the promises of God for the forgiveness of their sins."67

Ellen White emphasizes also the need to "talk courage to the people; lift them up to God in prayer. Many who have been overcome by temptation are humiliated by their failures, and they feel that it is in vain for them to approach unto God; but this thought is of the enemy's suggestion. When they have sinned, and feel that they cannot pray, tell them that it is then the time to pray. Ashamed they may be, and deeply humbled; but as they confess their sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive their sins, and cleanse them from all unrighteousness."68

Personal Interest

Alcoholics' recovery programs stress the importance of providing personal or group support to the addicted. Ellen White emphasizes the same point: "I recall the case of a man in a congregation that I was once addressing. He was almost wrecked in body and mind by the use of liquor and tobacco. He was bowed down from the effects of dissipation; and his dress was in keeping with his shattered condition. To all appearance he had gone too far to be reclaimed. But as I appealed to him to resist temptation in the strength of a risen Saviour, he rose tremblingly, and said, 'You have an interest for me, and I will have an interest for myself.' Six months afterward he came to my house. I did not recognize him. With a countenance beaming with joy, and eyes overflowing with tears, he grasped my hand, and said, 'You do not know me, but you remember the man in an old blue coat who rose in your congregation, and said that he would try to reform?' I was astonished. He stood erect, and looked ten years younger. He had gone home from that meeting, and passed the long hours in prayer and struggle till the sun arose. It was a night of conflict, but, thank God, he came off a victor."69

Instruction on Healthful Living

The drinking problem is often related to unhealthy dietary habits. Thus, Ellen White counsels that "those who are struggling against the power of appetite should be instructed in the principles of healthful living. They should be shown that the violation of the laws of health, by creating diseased conditions and unnatural cravings, lays the foundation of the liquor habit. Only by living in obedience to the principles of health can they hope to be freed from the craving for unnatural stimulants. While they depend upon divine strength to break the bonds of appetite, they are to co-operate with God by obedience to His laws, both moral and physical."70

Those interested in more information on helping the addicted are encouraged to read the chapter "Working for the Intemperate" in The Ministry of Healing.

Conclusion

For Ellen White the message of temperance was a fundamental part of the gospel and of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Such a message entails teaching people moderation in the use of healthful things and abstinence from the use of harmful things such as alcoholic beverages. Ellen White saw abstinence and health reform as Biblical principles given by God to help restore His moral image in human beings and to prepare a holy people for Christ's second advent. Her theological convictions and practical counsels on the use of alcoholic beverages stand out for their Biblical consistency and their practical relevance to our time.