Barstool Theology
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There are typically two sides to the beer coaster: “Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.” – George Bernard Shaw “Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald Drink to feel nothing, or drink to feel something . Both are widely practiced. But both fall flat. As a Catholic, you want to live a full life, with intention and purpose. You think beer, wine, and liquor can be part of that, but you don’t have an authentic way to approach alcoholic beverages, so you abstain or indulge. Either way, you come up empty. The fact is, most of us haven’t been taught how to drink well . In Barstool Theology , Trevor Gundlach cracks open an entirely new way to talk about beer and exactly how it can be an effervescent part of a life well lived. He invites you to become a fellow barstool theologian, ready to discuss the theology of life, friendship, art, seasons, celebrations, and, yes, delicious craft beer. Barstool Theology does not lay down rules to follow but offers practical ideas to try. It is full of reflection, humor, analogies, ancient philosophy, and Instagram-worthy stories that open a new dialogue about drinking that is fresh, flavorful, and fun. So, pull up a barstool. Let’s have a drink and talk.
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“If alcohol is part of the cultural script of college students, how do we get them to think about the role of alcohol in their lives? Can we teach how to make their drinking experiences ‘more fulfilling and less empty’? With this in mind, Gundlach aims to engage students in a sustained conversation about why, when, what, and with whom they drink. Written in an engaging and accessible style, based on the experiences of students, and filled with practical suggestions, Barstool Theology demonstrates how bringing theology into our conversations regarding alcohol can help us find healthy — and truly virtuous ways — not only to enjoy alcohol, but also to celebrate and enjoy one another.”
— Paul J. Wadell, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, St. Norbert College, author of Friendship and the Moral Life
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Second, we should want our drinking experiences to leave us feeling “more fulfilled” and “less empty.” But what brings you fulfillment? I can’t answer that question. Only you can. But the questions I’ll ask will help you reflect on what or who brings you fulfillment. Fulfillment, in the various ways we experience it, is measured qualitatively rather than quantitatively.4 Although quantity matters in some fields, such as engineering and finance, we are not here concerned with identifying the “right” or “wrong” number of drinks. Instead, we are concerned with the effect that alcohol has on our souls, which forms the basis of my qualitative measurement.
The fact that I declared a thesis statement means that I will make an argument. I’ll try to convince you to think in a new way. As we all know, it is hard to convince people to try new things; therefore, I have dedicated an entire chapter as a rhetorical “nudge” to get you to leave the comfort of your daily grind and go out into the world. Chapter 5 is full of simple, practical actions for daily life (and most of them are legal for people of any age). I’ll raise these suggestions throughout the book, marked by sections titled “How.” I invite you now to pause reading and flip to the corresponding section in Chapter 5 (on page 148) to explore the “How” below. Take a moment to practice:
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