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Binge Drinking
In this book titled Binge Drinking , John Flavel, a Puritan minister in the naval port of Dartmouth, England, pulls no punches as he confronts the sin of drunkenness head on. Often considered a modern phenomenon, binge drinking is in fact an age-old problem. Flavel's treatment is a highly relevant exposé of the soul-destroying evils of this 'detestable sin'.
65 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
24 people want to read
About the author
John Flavel
330 books89 followers"John Flavel (c.1627–1691) was an English Presbyterian clergyman, puritan, and author.
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 3, 2024
Sobering
August 13, 2021
Ten solid arguments on the sin of drunknness. Biblical, cultural, contextual, logical, and practical lessons about the danger of drunkenness.
This sin is not just personal but has collateral damage to a person’s family, community, and eternally. Still, by God’s grace, if God gives repentance to the person, salvation is not impossible.
Yet, as observed by St Augustine, many fall short and leads to commit sin sprouting from this misery. I also enjoyed Spurgeon’s poetic work.
This sin is not just personal but has collateral damage to a person’s family, community, and eternally. Still, by God’s grace, if God gives repentance to the person, salvation is not impossible.
Yet, as observed by St Augustine, many fall short and leads to commit sin sprouting from this misery. I also enjoyed Spurgeon’s poetic work.
May 1, 2020
"a voluntary madness", "a distemper of the head, a subversion of the senses", "a disease".
These are just a few of the opening salvos that Flavel hurls at the drunkard in this treatise on "binge drinking" aka Alcoholism.
Reading this as not only a recovered alcoholic but as a Christian, I can heartily reccomend it to anyone who has left their cups. I don't think it would do a full-blown alcoholic much good even if he be a Christian, for even back then it was easy to see that this was a "fatal, progressive and incurable" problem. Speaking from experience I can honestly say this tome is too light for someone that far gone.
Interesting about this work is that Flavel touches on what we would later call the "disease concept"; not in any scientific manner, but none the less recognizable to the man of yesteryear.
Flavel lays out 10 Christian arguments against drunkenness, using scripture and reason to drive his point home.
In this Banner of Truth version there is included a few pages in the back by Charles Spurgeon. A poem about the drunkard and his self-inflicted woes, driving even further the points made by Flavel.
As I said above, I doubt this would do any good to the real deal alcoholic, but if you are on the cusp or just a fan of recovery and related literature I can say, pick it up.
These are just a few of the opening salvos that Flavel hurls at the drunkard in this treatise on "binge drinking" aka Alcoholism.
Reading this as not only a recovered alcoholic but as a Christian, I can heartily reccomend it to anyone who has left their cups. I don't think it would do a full-blown alcoholic much good even if he be a Christian, for even back then it was easy to see that this was a "fatal, progressive and incurable" problem. Speaking from experience I can honestly say this tome is too light for someone that far gone.
Interesting about this work is that Flavel touches on what we would later call the "disease concept"; not in any scientific manner, but none the less recognizable to the man of yesteryear.
Flavel lays out 10 Christian arguments against drunkenness, using scripture and reason to drive his point home.
In this Banner of Truth version there is included a few pages in the back by Charles Spurgeon. A poem about the drunkard and his self-inflicted woes, driving even further the points made by Flavel.
As I said above, I doubt this would do any good to the real deal alcoholic, but if you are on the cusp or just a fan of recovery and related literature I can say, pick it up.
August 27, 2025
Flavel strikes plainly at the wickedness & fallout from drunkenness. Scriptural, sound, and sobering. Highly recommend this small booklet on a topic often neglected today in Christian circles.
December 30, 2013
Drinking has long been a contentious issue among Christians. Many argue that freedom in Christ allows for drinking in moderation, while other promote complete abstinence from alcohol. Flavel’s brief sermon on drinking gives both sides of the discussion some things to think about, pointing out the dangers of drunkenness and the damaging effects it can have. This is far from a comprehensive treatment of a Scriptural approach to drinking, but it is a solid starting point.
July 6, 2013
A good, short work on the sin of drunkenness. I appreciated the freshness of being an old Puritan work that isn't concerned with calling sin what truly is sin. Also, I found it a good challenge to those facing this to consider that no one in whom the Spirit abides can be given over to drunkenness.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews