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Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel (Resources for Changing Lives)

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Welch's treatment of addictions should be required reading for Christian workers. His books provides both understanding and ammunition for those who will inevitably have to deal with the problem of addictions and other compulsive behavior patterns. Ed Welch gives a thoughtful and urgently needed analysis of the step approaches that is both sensitive and irenic. He effectively sets the subject of addictions forth in its wider Scriptural diminsions, which opens up a path forward to newness and hope. Perhaps the most exciting feature of his book is the fact that he evinces a solid grasp on the reformed view of sanctification from beginning to end. This affords the reader with great confidence that understanding is being gained within the context of substantial theological committments. He who reads this book will certainly come away from it better equipped to handle the problem of addictions in the local Church.

Pastor Reddit

The author is a redeemed ex-heroine addict and has been a Christian counselor and seminary professor for almost 30 years. It is written explicitly for both people who are addicts or recovering and also family members. This book is Bible saturated and unimaginably helpful!

The Dry Drunk

The book opens by describing what Welch calls a dry drunk. It is a man that he meets with who has managed to stay sober for a year now, through meetings, etc, but displays all the same thought patterns and habits that led him to drink in the first place. Welch describes the conversation as "Jim" complaining that God gave him this disease that he has to struggle with. He's frustrated that his church doesn't speak to his alcoholism more, and that his family doesn't understand his "fight." Although staying sober for a year has been a great victory, one feels uncertain as to if he might go back to it at any moment. Welch believes that just staying sober is not the true answer to alcoholism and other addictions, but addressing the heart issues that led to the drinking in the first place. To address that, Welch builds a theology of addiction from scripture.

Addiction is sin

Welch's first point is that the problem of addiction is the age-old problem of sin. Addiction is a very obvious, enslaving, and destructive type of sin, but it is still, at its root, sin, and not a disease. He draws some parallels between the sin of addiction and other types of sin. Addiction may be enslaving and deceptive, but so is pride, so is greed. When we sin, we are saying that God is not providing me with what I need to overcome my problems, He is not my help, I am going to find help for myself. (He defines an addiction as something that gives a mind and body-altering experience that is immediate.) It is a turning from God to something else in order to forget the past, punish yourself or others, avoid emotional pain, fill holes in one's self-image, manage emotions, prove to yourself that you can do what you want (no one can tell you what to do), keep loneliness at bay, etc. You believe that a substance will empower you to become your own God. You will save yourself through alcohol because no one else (God) is helping you. These are the beliefs that need to change for alcohol to lose its power.

Addiction is not a disease

Welch next explains that part of the reason why the disease model of addiction (and depression as well) have such a following, is that when one is caught in the clutches of sin, it feels like a disease that one is powerless to overcome. But this is true of all sin, not just addictions. John 8:34 says that sin is like a cruel taskmaster, sin victimizes and controls. Galations 1:6 says it captures and overtakes. Paul says in Romans 7:15 and 17 "I do what I do not want to do, but what I hate I do...As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me." This is the human experience, that sin enslaves us. But a paradox that he points out is that all sin is voluntary slavery. The infection of sin has spread to our very heart so that we even desire sin and want it. Only Christ changes us from the inside out, breaking the bondage of sin and changing our heart to give us new desires.

What is addiction?

Here Welch gives his precise definition of addiction: "Addiction is bondage to the rule of a substance, activity, or state of mind, which them becomes the center of life, defending itself from the truth so that even bad consequences don't bring repentance, and leading to further estrangement from God." In summary, he then adds, think of addiction of a specific kind of sin that is both self-conscious disobedience and victimizing slavery.

Addict as victim

The victim aspect is real in the sense that Satan is like a razor blade hid in a slice of cake you are about to bite into. He is hiding behind the scenes of addictions. In Proverbs, when the young man walks into the house of the wayward woman, he thought he came for pleasure only, but he gets something extra from Satan: death. That is why the subtitle is "A Banquet in the Grave." It's from Proverbs 9:18: "But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave." The alcohol promises comfort from your sorrows and pain, in a sense, it promises life. But it delivers just the opposite.

The power behind Idols

But such it is with all idolatry, Welch argues. Idolatry is the unrelenting theme of the Old Testament, and the New Testament authors make it clear that although we no longer have statues, idolatry is still the core of our problems. Why are idols such an allure? Welch argues that the purpose of the idol is to use it to get what we want. We don't want to be ruled by the idol, we want to rule the idol. We have rejected God's rule. We want to rule and this idol will help us do that. We don't want to be ruled by alcohol, drugs, food, gambling. No, we want these things to give us what we want: good feelings, escape, a sense of control, or whatever our heart is craving. Idols, however, do not cooperate. They will control us while making us think all the while that we are in control. How do the idols control us so? Behind every idol lies the quiet presence of Satan, with his will to dominate and deceive. We are powerless to fight him when we are refusing God's strength.

The most destructive idols

So far, this applies to every human being. So what is the difference between idols that are satisfied with by a big paycheck, respect, power, and idols that are satisfied by mind-altering or physical sensations? The answer is that some idols hook our bodily passions and desires. Satan loves this arena because he has a special interest in exploiting the body's natural (and good) needs and desires and turning them into monsters. His purpose is to distort and oppose and malign and destroy all of God's purposes. Satan has special power over us when we two things work together against us: our heart is determined to find satisfaction apart from God and our physical body receives an immediate and gratifying pleasure. The idols of money and power destroy lives and lead us away from God, but they don't exert quite the same level of destruction and inordinate slavery as the bodily variety.

One addict writes:


"For the addict, dope is God. It is the supreme being, the Higher Power, in the junkie's life. He is subjugated to its will. He follows its commandments. The drug is the definition of happiness, and gives the meaning to love. Each shot of junk in his veins is a shot of divine love, and it makes the addict feel resplendent with the grace of God."
And yet, as scary as that sounds, the addict is deceived and will tell you he is in control and can stop anytime he wants.

This all sounds horribly gloomy but this is the reality of sin. Welch writes: "As a result of spiritual oppression, drug worshipper may be very intelligent, but they can be oblivious to the destruction and slavery associated with drug (alcohol) abuse. They need the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18), the message of Christ crucified and risen. Other therapies can offer sobriety, but only this good news is powerful enough to liberate the soul."

Scripture Speaks to Addictions

Other themes of scripture that speak to addiction are found in the Bible. Proverbs speaks of addiction when it talks of the human predicament of foolishness. Folly is characterized by thoughtless decisions to pursue a course that is briefly pleasurable but ultimately painful. The scripture speaks to addiction when it describes Satan as a prowling lion, waiting for someone to devour. At first glance, the beast is alcohol. But a close look reveals that enemy of our souls. Finally, although the disease model of addiction is flawed, scripture does use sickness as an analogy for sin. Sin is like sickness in that it is painful, it leads to death, it is absolutely tragic. But sin and therefore addiction are unlike a disease in that it is something we do and not unwittingly catch, we confess it rather than treat it, the disease is our hearts rather than our bodies, and only the forgiveness and cleansing found in the blood of the Great Physician is sufficient to bring thorough healing.

Chapter 4 describes the decent into addiction

People don't just become addicts one day; there are common steps that lead to it. Usually, the decent to addiction begins without fanfare. "Rather than a huge, noticeable leap of rebellion, addiction is marked by small steps of spiritual casualness or indifference, and a lack of sensitivity to right and wrong." Next, there comes a time when truth parts way with the addict's experience. The self-deception begins. They think of the idol more often while thinking that everything is fine. They can't see clearly enough to judge for something has begun to satisfy the desire of their hearts.

Next is the infatuation stage. At this point the relationship with the idol starts to ruin relationships and work, but reason does not reign and bad consequences are not enough. The addict may notice that things aren't really going that well, but everything bad becomes the fault of other people. Blame starts kicking into high gear.

Welch writes: "Drinkers begin to hide alcohol. Toilet tanks are a favorite place."

"When an addict is caught, excuses are masterful. They are offered immediately, without hesitation. They are bold, without averted eyes or a hint of "I just got found out." Inevitably, they will somehow make friends and loved ones feel guilty."

The next stage is love and betrayal where the addict now turns to alcohol as a treatment for everything. Welch writes:

"Whatever the emotion, the answer is found in the addictive behavior. It can vent anger, alleviate depression, temporarily quiet the emptiness of loss or failure, dilute guilt, and so on."

"If families are aware of the problem, they are preoccupied with it. The addiction dominates them. They hide car keys, drive around town looking for the drinker's car, and dilute the bottles of alcohol in the house."

"Family and friends will go through every emotion possible. Sometimes they feel like they are going crazy: "Maybe it is my problem after all." Other times they think everything is fine. They can feel angry, afraid, controlled, threatened, betrayed, jealous, and hopeless. Life has become unpredictable for them. They are never sure what is going to happen next. Unless they are skilled at turning to the Lord, learning how to cry out to Him, they will obsess about ways to curb the addictive behavior."

The final stage is Worship. "You used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness." (Rom. 6:19 Again, the problem of addiction is the problem of sin.) The downward spiral has come to rest at slavery. The idol originally promised you freedom, to be at your disposal, to do your bidding. It promised life, camaraderie, and pleasure, but it has delivered slavery. In this stage nothing comes before alcohol. But to the dependant one, denial reigns to the point of self-deception. The addict has become a fool, without insight into the relationship between the drug and its consequences. And yet, the addict still feels guilty for hurting others, broken relationships, and rebelling against a Holy God. But the only way they know how to deal with that guilt is...(you guessed it) more alcohol. They see no other way out. Welch writes: "The grief of those who love addicts who descended deeply cannot be overstated."

This is as far as I have gotten in the book. But the rest of the book is about how God heals us from all sins, even addiction. Some upcoming chapters are: knowing the Lord, fearing the Lord, turning from lies, being part of the body, and more. I may write more, but the actual book is much better than my summary.

Welch's treatment of addictions is both Biblical and empathetic He recognizes that sin can also be bondage. Though he does not buy into the modern idea of addiction as a "disease" (and he makes very good arguments on that subject), he is not harsh or judgmental. He speaks credibly, using many examples, though they focus primarily on alcohol and drugs, and much less on other major addictions like eating disorders, sex, gambling, or Internet chat.

He is rather skeptical about psychology in general and 12-step groups in particular, saying that they are not necessary for a Christian, and that could be controversial, because they have helped many people. Yet I appreciate his asking tough questions about them because someone could make a group into his "higher power" instead of God.

Ultimately, I found the book helpful (though not a magical panacea) because it places the focus and hope in God, more than in people, principles, trends, and techniques. Christians will appreciate his high view of Scripture. It will be helpful for the reader to consider other authors' viewpoints, because though Welch bases his book on Scripture and extensive experience, he is after all still just a man. Non-Christians should check it out to challenge the conventional wisdom.

Having read several of Welch's books, I think this was one of the best.

This is a great book that shows addiction from a Christian standpoint. Welch does not hold back as he often makes it very clear that Christians are not doing enough and shows when secular practices are doing what the Bible says to do even when churches and Christians are not. As a counselor who works in a drug recovery program in Houston, Texas, I am finding this book very helpful. Even if you are not a Christian, I encourage you to read this book - Welch's insight on how beliefs affect our actions and how to confront addicts in love will likely benefit you, and he will definitely leave you with something to think about.

Similar to the central themes of the other books in the "Resources for Changing Lives" series, Welch explicitly states the "point" to the book in the preface: "Theology makes a difference" (xvi). With relation to addictions specifically, then, this means that "Addictions are ultimately a disorder of worship." In keeping with this central theme, the first part of the book, "Thinking Theologically" lays the foundation for the approach, while the second part develops specific "Essential Theological Themes."

Welch begins by discussing the very idea of "practical theology." Why is it that a faithful Christian who knows theology well, even teaching it at church, can respond to sin in such a way that seems to betray a lack of any theological knowledge at all? This is a common problem-the problem of a disconnect between faith a life-that Welch argues has at least two sources. First, due to the influence of unbelieving authorities, many of us have wrong theology in the first place. Second, even when we believe true things, our actions betray not a disconnect between faith and life, but a failure to really believe that which we say we believe. The solution is to turn to God's Word for perspective, and to listen to the counsel of others when we may think we are self-deceived (3-10). In my estimation, this basic approach is of great usefulness, even far beyond the specific issue of addictions. When it is clear that we are living in a manner inconsistent with our confession, there are two things we need to do: turn to God's Word and involve ourselves in the church. The usefulness of the rest of the book flows from this fundamental insight: addictions betray theological error; specifically, they betray a worship problem. Diagnosing the problem rightly is key to fixing it. Any source of help that denies this diagnosis is going to be of minimal lasting worth.

On the foundation of this broad diagnosis, Welch begins to explore issues specifically related to addiction. He wisely warns of misunderstanding that can arise from the term. It is fine as a description of behavior, but not necessarily as an explanation for behavior. He also argues that we ought to allow for a broad understanding of addictive behavior (beyond simply drugs and alcohol), for this more faithfully acknowledges the biblical teaching about the sins underlying addiction (11-15). In this connection, his chapter "Sin, Sickness, or Both?" is a veritable gold mine of insights. He sternly and pastorally insists on the necessity of dealing with sin as the foundational issue; his work here is a wonderful example of how to deal with difficult issues in decidedly pastoral fashion (17-22, e.g.). As we consider the sinful roots of drunkenness, for instance, we find that at root it is a lordship problem. "Drunkards are worshipping another god-alcohol" (23). But with all this emphasis on sin, what do we make of evidence that genetics can be a factor? Welch grants-again, wisely-that biological factors can certainly have influence. But he is quick to point out that the idea that genetics may influence a situation is importantly different from saying that addictions are determined by genetics. He illustrates this by discussing different types of cravings and demonstrating that even when the physical is an important factor, it is never the ultimate cause of sin or addiction. To be sure, sin may begin to feel like a disease, but this is a natural stage in the evolution of sin, even as revealed in Scripture (34-39). In "New Ways of Seeing," Welch develops the metaphor of idolatry, along with other biblical metaphors, as a means of interpreting and approaching the problem of addiction. This is particularly important in response to the prevalent use of disease as a metaphor for addiction. In the fourth chapter, Welch describes "The Descent into Addiction" along five stages: the stages of being unprepared, of friendship, of infatuation, of love and betrayal, and finally of worship. For all of his talk of the importance of sin and biblical responses, Welch isn't afraid to make use of a psychology of addiction, particularly as a descriptive tool. Throughout his discussion, however, all that he says is submitted to the interpretation of Scripture.

Welch spends the remainder of the book discussing eight theological themes that are essential to dealing with addiction: speaking the truth in love; respecting, listening, and inviting; knowing the Lord; fearing the Lord; turning from lies; saying "no;" staying violent; and being part of the body. The last two themes seem particularly helpful. "The problem is that as Christians, we often forget we are in a war. Or worse, we don't even know that there is a war" (228-229). In the battle against addiction-and all sin-it is important that we take seriously the spiritual struggle in which we are involved. It is also important that the role of the church be emphasized. I would commend Welch for treating the church as an important biblical theme.

But it is at this point that his book should perhaps be faulted the most. He mentions, for instance, the importance of the church as a source of one's identity. The one struggling with addiction should say, "I am part of the body of Christ" (250). Even one who struggles with alcohol is no longer defined as an "alcoholic." To be sure, this theme of one's identity in Christ (and his body) is important; but in my estimation, it is far more important than Welch makes it out to be. This is always the structure of pastoral exhortation in the epistles: live in the light of who you are in Christ. Furthermore, Welch fails to emphasize the importance of the means of grace as the means by which the Lord sanctifies us. It is beyond me how he can speak of one's identity without mentioning baptism, or of unity in the church without mentioning the Lord's Supper. These are not mere theological quibbles; in my estimation they are fatal flaws. The means of grace lie at the heart of Christian spirituality, and any discussion of struggling with sin ought to give them the central place.

Is lordship the problem? Let's talk about how baptism defines you in terms of to whom you belong. Is the lack of edifying relationships with others the problem? Let's talk about the Lord's Supper and how it ties us together as the body of Christ. Is the problem one of incorrect theological perspectives? Let's discuss how preaching goes far beyond simply informing us, to the point of shaping and molding us existentially. All else should flow from these means.

Despite this fairly serious shortcoming, Welch's work is nevertheless a wealth of biblical and pastoral wisdom. His way of discussing the central importance of sin is worthy of imitation. He provides helpful insight into the psychological nature of addiction. And perhaps most importantly, his approach to handling addiction serves as a worthy model for any area in which Christians struggle with sin.

I have read many books on the subject of addictions, and this one is by far the best. It puts everything into proper perspective, and offers biblical solutions for the epidemic of substance abuse. A must read for addicted persons and those who counsel them!

This book is not only a must read for alcoholics and drug addicts, but for anyone who has been, or thinks they can't become, seduced by sin. This book is for everyone because at one time or another we all take small steps of spiritual casualness or indifference that can lead to lack of sensivity to right or wrong, which can lead to all kinds of addictions.

The end of each chapter is very helpful as it gives practical theology, specifically addresses the addict, and the people who help them. The best part about this book is that it points people to Jesus Christ, the only source of Power and Truth! Without Him we are powerless.

This book is great for understanding and overcoming addictions. I am using it in ministering and trying to help mostly drug addictics and alcoholics. But it is good for helping anyone get victory over ANY addictions,such as food addictions, sex addictions (pornography), etc. Every counselor, minister, and addict will benefit from this book.

This is not your typical book that trys to help you without God. God is the source of your help and learning that ANYTHING you put above Jesus Christ is an idol, and an addictive behavior, that can be overcome.

This book shows you how to do it God's way successfully OR
you can chose to do it your way, and continue in the same destructive path.

I am a Nouthetic Counselor and have used the book and the video, "Addictions, A Banquet In The Grave," in counseling with individuals trapped in the bondage of the sin of drunkenness and have found it very insightful and helpful in breaking such bondage and setting people free from it.

I am a survivor of suicide miraculously without human intervention after drinking two full ounces of arsenic 35 years ago while I was not a believer in Jesus Christ. I'm not proud of where I had let my mind go. It was my own inner blindness that led me down that path, and remaining alive did not in itself change my inner blindness. Dr. Welch's message addresses that sin does keep people from receiving the grace available to everyone (otherwise why would ANYONE despair to the point of suicide?). Sin can overtake and capture any human being, and deliverance is always available to anyone that can see and will accept it. Dr. Welch's book is a view into some of the things that entrap us and how to get out of the trap...God's Grace is the message of both Dr. Welch's book and of scripture. To receive God's Grace we have to be able to see and admit our part in why we were not receptive of that grace. We cannot do this in our own power. The Christian God is not a separate entity apart from Bible scripture. Reference John 1, Hebrews 4, and Revelations 19:13: Jesus Christ fulfilled and is the Word of God, and is an exact representation of God the Father. To be able to receive God's Grace we have to be able to see and admit the areas where we were or are not receptive of Grace, and we must be willing to give up our sin of hanging onto things or people that have no power to save...only God's power makes the change we cannot.

Both the Bible and the 12 Step program (which was not originally in it's current form that speaks of a "higher power" rather than Jesus Christ) teaches that in our own power we cannot be free of what entraps us. Plenty of people do get instantaneous deliverance from addiction bondage. That some do not get quick delivery says nothing about God's true love and nothing against Dr. Welch's book...it only means when we are captive, we need to take another look at what we are holding on to and whether we are really willing to let go and trust in God rather than substances, things, money, people, whatever the addictions are. Only after I honestly admit I went into the black hole in my own power does Grace lift me out.

Learned scripture scholars indicate that the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was likely a physical eye sight problem (not a sin and not an addiction). From my own experience, I can see that God keeps me humble with my physical frailties and limitations. All through scripture, we can see that God never heals all physical infirmities, but he always promises peace from our inner torture if we will choose to trust in Him. While God is always offering Grace, we clearly are not always accepting it. This book helps us see what hinders us.