Tea is a beverage that has been consumed for centuries and is enjoyed by people of all faiths around the world. It can be a great way to relax and refresh, but many Christians have questions about whether it is against their religious beliefs to drink tea. In this article, we’ll look at the questions about tea drinking from a Christian point of view and talk about the possible health benefits of drinking tea. With that in mind, can Christians drink tea?
Can Christians drink tea?
Yes, Christians can drink tea. There are no specific biblical prohibitions against consuming tea, and its consumption is generally considered a personal choice within the Christian faith.
Is drinking tea a sin?
You will not find the drinking of tea mentioned anywhere in Scripture. Neither will you discover any instruction in the Bible that drinking tea is a sin! Nowhere does the Bible tell us to repent of the “sin” of drinking tea!
A sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.
There is no scripture that would even hint that tea would be considered a sin.
Did Moses drink tea with God on Mt. Sinai?
If you have seen the movie Exodus: Gods and Kings, you might recall a scene where a “God-boy” pours Moses a cup of tea while he writes the Ten Commandments.
or maybe you were listening to a song by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band called “To All the Lights in the Windows”. This song has the lyrics:
“Moses up on a mountainside, what a place to meet
He brought his pad and his pencil, poured himself some gypsy tea”
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
The only telling of the story of Moses on Mt Sinai can be found in Exodus 19. Tea is mentioned nowhere. So where did they get the idea that Moses drank tea with God?
Biblical Entheogens?
My research led me to an article written in 2008 in the Brisbane Times “Israelites high on Mt Sinai?“.
In this article, the writer talks about a new study written in the British journal Time and Mind, by an Israeli psychology professor, Benny Shanon of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, called “Biblical Entheogens: a Speculative Hypothesis”.
Entheogens are chemical substance, typically a plant, that is ingested to produce an out-of-the-ordinary state of consciousness for religious or spiritual purposes.
The study claims that two plants found in the Sinai desert contain psychoactive molecules similar to that of the Amazonian hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca.
Shanon goes on to hypothesize that the thunder, lightning, and blaring of a trumpet which Exodus 19 describes coming from Mount Sinai could just have been the imagination of a people in an “altered state of awareness”.
As you read the whole study you become aware that Shanon’s theory is based on the similarities of his own hallucination while on ayahuasca to that of the events described in the Bible.
I am no educated scholar but I think the last line of Benny Shanon’s study is telling.
I leave it to the reader to pass his or her judgment.
Benny Shannon, “Biblical Entheogens: a Speculative Hypothesis“
What does the Bible say about drinking?
To those that are still on the fence about tea or if Moses drank tea with God let me direct you to a verse in Ephesians.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18
God does not want us to alter our minds/get drunk. It’s because of this verse I believe that as a Christian you can drink it. It is not a sin to drink tea. And that Moses did not drink tea with God on Mt. Sinai.
Benefits of drinking tea
Aside from water, tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. One of the bonuses to drinking tea is the many health benefits that come from consuming it.
Contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help to prevent the body’s stiffening and help to keep you young and protect you from damage from toxins and pollution.
Reduce the risk of a heart attack. A study published in 2015 shows consumption of green tea is associated with favorable outcomes with respect to the risk of cardiovascular and ischemic-related diseases.
Weight loss? A study from 2012 found that tea has no significant effect on the maintenance of weight loss. How it helps weight loss by keeping you hydrated, as this 2016 study found.
Boost the immune system. in a 2018 study on cell cultures, green tea was found to improve immune system modulation.
Types of tea to drink
When it comes to tea, there are many different types of tea to choose from. Depending on your preference, you can find a variety that suits your taste and provides the health benefits you desire. From green tea to oolong, black tea, and herbal teas, each one is unique in its flavor profile and its health benefits.
Green Tea
This is the winner of all the teas. Its winning quality is its ability to help with metabolism and weight loss. It’s also found to lower the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, fight cancers, and helps reduce stress.
Black Tea
This tea is high in caffeine and great if you want to cut back on coffee. Black tea, also known as a breakfast tea, has been found to protect the lungs from pollution damage and lower the risk of stroke. There are some studies that support the claims that it can reduce your risk of cancer (particularly prostate cancer) and helps prevent heart disease.
Chamomile
This tea is best for you before you go to sleep. Chamomile helps relaxes your body after a long day. Some evidence also points to help relieve premenstrual symptoms and high blood lipid, blood sugar, and insulin levels
Herbal
This is where you can truly go down the rabbit hole of flavors. You will find ginger, turmeric, and dandelion. When it comes to herbal tea I like to get one that has a purpose, not just a taste I enjoy. My go-to herbal tea is Smooth Moves from Traditional Medicinals. This tea goes with me on every trip I take to help me stay “regular”.
Can Christians Drink Tea? – Conclusion
It can be seen that the use of tea in a Christian lifestyle can be controversial. While some believe it is against their beliefs, others recognize that abstaining from all forms of drinking besides water has no biblical basis. Whether or not drinking tea is acceptable for Christians is ultimately an individual, personal choice and one that should be made with careful consideration to both the health aspects as well as the spiritual. Ultimately, each Christian will need to decide for themselves if drinking tea fits into their lifestyle and faith practices.