Christian Food
Mike Wallace
Forth Revision 8 November 2024
Christian Food
New vehicles come with very thick instruction manuals spelling out how to use the vehicle and all its wonderful new gadgets. What kind of fuel to put into the car? What type of oil for the engine to keep it running at optimal performance and how often to change it? Transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid and even wiper fluids all come with factory specifications in order to keep the new vehicle running smoothly. It is recommended all service repairs and checkups be completed by certified mechanics at the car dealership to keep your warranty in place. Most people follow these instructions because we do not want to lose the value of the vehicle.
Does God, the maker and designer of our bodies care what we put inside our bodies? He designed us and made us in His image. He gave us an instruction book we call the Holy Bible to show us how to obey and worship Him. Would it not make sense for Him to give us instructions on how to maintain and care for our bodies? Of course, God gave us instructions on our physical maintenance. We are much more important to God than any automobile is to us.
God has a tremendous purpose for mankind. The Psalmist asks, “What is man that thou art mindful of him” (Psalms 8:4 KJV [All scriptures are KJV, unless otherwise noted])? The answer is beyond our comprehension as mankind is being adopted into the family of God! Paul tells us this directly in Romans 8:14-17 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” God is teaching and leading His human servants in His way of life and is willing to put us into His family. Are we not more important than what type of oil and gas goes into a new vehicle? We follow those “new car” instructions to keep the vehicle in top shape but do we follow God’s instructions as to what we should be putting into our bodies to keep us in top shape? We are far more important than any vehicle and consequently God gives us instructions on what to eat and what not to eat.
This paper will examine what God has to say about what we should and should not eat.
The study of the principles and methods of interpreting the text of a book is called Hermeneutics. Specifically, we will use the principles of Biblical Hermeneutics in our examination of the subject of clean and unclean meats and what God says to eat and not to eat. Biblical hermeneutics mainly consists of three parts: 1) The Bible should be interpreted literally. 2) Passages in the Bible should be interpreted historically, grammatically and contextually. 3) Scripture is always the best interpreter of scripture. When a scripture is unclear or ambiguous one should examine the verse in question and compare it with clear unambiguous Biblical statements on the topic. A warning against “proof texting” or looking through the Bible to find a verse to “prove a point”, this is very poor scholarship. To learn more on the subject of Hermeneutics go to www.coscog7.org, hover over STUDIES and click on the one-page Biblical studies. As we delve into the subject of “Clean and unclean meats” we will use context, language, precedent and direct do and don’t statements, and we will use Hermeneutics to clarify ambiguous or unclear statements.
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6). God is unchangeable in His character. In the study of clean and unclean meats some people believe God “changed” His mind and started to allow the eating of unclean animals. They use several verses (proof texting) to attempt to prove their belief. God, however, does not change. We read His exact rules of meat consumption for mankind in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Leviticus 11:1-47
Leviticus chapter 11 gives mankind precise “dos” and “don’ts” as to what God says is good to eat and not good for our bodies to ingest. These are clear verses that need no interpretation as to their meaning. God says to eat animals that part the hoof and chew the cud (sheep, bovine, goat, giraffe etc.) and to not eat animals that do not part the hoof and chew the cud (lions, swine, elephants etc.). Concerning fish which inhabit the waters of the world, God is specific as to which ones should be eaten and not eaten. Water animals God says to eat must have “fins” and “scales” (Trout, salmon, cod etc.). If the water animal does not have both fins and scales it may not be eaten (lobster, shrimp, clams, crabs, eel, catfish, sharks, whales etc.). God even gives us a list of unclean birds not fit for human consumption (Lev. 11:13-19 and Deut. 14:11-20). Birds of prey are not to be eaten.
Lev. 11:1-47 is printed out fully below. Concentrate on the highlighted portions for clarity.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,
2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, these are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
5And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7And the swine, though he divides the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
8Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
9These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
10And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
11They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
12Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
13And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the osifrage, and the ospray,
14And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
15Every raven after his kind;
16And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
17And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
20All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.
21Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;
22Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.
23But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
24And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.
25And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
26The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
27And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.
28And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you.
29These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,
30And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
31These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
32And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.
33And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.
34Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.
35And everything whereupon any part of their carcass falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.
36Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.
37And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean.
38But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.
39And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.
40And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
41And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
42Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon allfour, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
43Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.
44For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
45For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:
47To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
We take notice of two words God repeatedly used to describe “unclean” animals. 1) He called them “Unclean”. Strong’s Concordance #2930 and 2931 states the Hebrew word for unclean is “tame” meaning “defiled, impure, desecrate, and can mean ceremonially unclean or to be an immoral act.” This word is used 42 times in Leviticus 11 to describe what not to eat. The other word we see frequently used by God to describe the unclean animals is 2) “abomination”. Used 12 times in Leviticus 11 to describe animals God says not to eat. Strong’s Concordance #s 8262 and 8263 Hebrew word is “seqes” and “seqas”. Both are defined as to detest, abhor, defile, make abominable, utterly detest, abhorred and detestable thing.”
Why would mankind eat what God called “unclean and abominable”? These listings of the clean and unclean meats of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are very clear and unambiguous, do eat and don’t eat statements.
Deuteronomy 14:1-29
Deuteronomy 14 essentially repeats the very clearly stated food laws given by God in Leviticus 11. However, a closer examination of verses 25 and 26 is called for. After giving the food laws a
point is made in verse 25 that when going to worship the LORD in the place of His choosing one should enjoy themselves. In verse 26 He gives a positive statement to eat oxen, sheep and drink wine and strong drink. God had just given a list of what to eat and not to eat and then He says to eat “whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God”.
Does this mean if one desires to eat a pig one can and should? No! This is where hermeneutics comes in to our study. The context is unambiguously clear, do not eat swine. God is telling them to enjoy themselves WITHIN the confines of the food parameters He had just laid out. In fact, God is telling us to enjoy our food and strong drink within the guidelines He has set for us.
Deuteronomy 14:1-29
1Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
2For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
3Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
4These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
5The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
6And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
7Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; thereforethey are unclean unto you.
8And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
9These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
10And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it isunclean unto you.
11Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
12But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
13And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
14And every raven after his kind,
15And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
16The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
17And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
18And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
19And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
20But of all clean fowls ye may eat.
21Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.
22Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
24And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
25Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
27And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.
28At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
29And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
The food laws of God go back to before the time of Noah and before the birth of Judah.
The first indication of God making a distinction between what food to eat and not to eat is found in Gen. 4:2-4 in the history of Cain and Able. God did not accept Cain’s sacrifice of vegetables. Cain knew what was required for the sacrifice but chose his own way. God was displeased with Cain. Abel sacrificed a lamb and God was pleased with it. Even at this very early time in the history of man God had set up for the future sacrifice of the “perfect unblemished lamb of God”, Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:12-14). God would not use something He deemed an “abomination” to sacrifice as a symbol of the future sacrifice of His only begotten son.
The second indication of God making a distinction between what food to eat and not eat is found in Gen. 7:1-3, 8-16. God told Noah to put seven pair of “clean” animals on the ark and only a male and female of the unclean animals. There were several reasons for God having seven pair of clean animals on the ark. First was food as Noah would have been able to eat of the clean animals. Secondly, we learn in Gen. 8:20-21 of a most important act on the part of Noah. After leaving the ark Noah built an altar and sacrificed one of every clean animal. No unclean animal was sacrificed. If an unclean animal had been sacrificed it would not have been a “sweet savor” to God (vs. 21). If Noah and his family had eaten even ONE unclean animal on the ark, they would have doomed that species to extinction. If Noah had sacrificed even one unclean animal on the altar, he would have doomed that species to extinction. Noah and his family were eating “clean” animals and they sacrificed one of every “clean” animal. They were aware of God’s health food laws and of which animal to eat and not to eat.
Gen. 9:3 “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
Did God suddenly, after Noah and his family departed from the Ark give man permission to eat any living creature? The answer is no and is found in both the context of the verse and the language (translation) of the verse from the Hebrew to English.
God is not giving permission for Noah and his family to eat any meat they wish in this verse. Two items need to be examined, 1) Context and 2) Language translations from the Hebrew to English. First, they had just left the ark and God had told them to be “fruitful and multiply”. The context of this verse is quite simple, they already knew what they should and should not eat when it comes to meat (flesh). Seven pairs of clean animals on the ark put there by God was fresh on their minds. They did not need to be reminded about what meat was good and bad to eat. Secondly, the Hebrew word for “meat” translated in Gen. 9:3 is “okla”. Strong’s # 402 gives a definition of “okla” as, “what is consumed, food, fuel, meat, devour”, etc. It is a word used for both flesh meats and vegetables, simply meaning to eat. God had just told them in Gen. 9:1 to “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”. He, God was giving them instructions on how to accomplish this task. We also need to realize God created every plant and every animal but He did not create everyone to be eaten. There are many poisonous plants and many animals are also poisonous. If Gen. 9:3 was taken that man should or could eat all living things then cannibalism would be justified. We would also be eating poisonous plants and animals. It is very obvious God was referring to only clean animals and edible plants when speaking to Noah.
We will find in this study more instances where the Hebrew and or Greek word translated into English as “meat” is misleading. Every instance is about all foods, both meat and vegetables.
New Testament
Mark 7:19 King James Version (KJV): “Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”
Mark 7:19 New International Version (NIV): “For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean’.).”
Two translations. Two different meanings of one verse. Which one is correct? Did Mark actually parenthetically add the phrase “(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean’.)”? This is where we must put our hermeneutics skills to work. Using the principles outlined in Biblical hermeneutics (historical interpretation, grammar and context) we will see a very clear answer to the question.
Examining the facts, we will find the answer is no, Jesus did NOT begin to allow “all foods” including the “unclean” to be eaten, ie. Pigs, worms, spiders, lobsters, scorpions, horned toads, people etc.
What is the “context” of this verse? Mark 7:14-23 Jesus was speaking of spiritual defilement and he was not discussing physical health. His point was quite simple, what enters into a person’s mouth and comes out in the toilet is not what defiles us. (Compare James 3:5-12). It is what enters our heart and comes out of our mouth that defiles us. This discussion was on spiritual defilement not physical health. The concept of clean and unclean meats was not the context, our heart and spiritual defilement of our heart is the context of these verses. From the NIV, Matthew 15:18 “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean. ‘”. From the KJV of Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. “Not what we eat but what we think and do can lead to spiritual uncleanness.
A second point was being made by Jesus. The Jewish “Oral law” which was built up around the law to prevent one from sinning had clouded the judgement of the Jews when it came to spiritual matters. They were putting more weight on the extra Biblical oral laws of cleanliness than on the spiritual matters of God. The oral law put a hedge around the concepts of clean and unclean meats to the point one had to symbolically wash before eating any food so as to not defile any food with anything unclean- even down to a speck of dirt. The symbolic washings of the first century are still done today by Orthodox Jews. The spiritual understanding of what defiles a man was and still is being missed by the “symbolic ritual washings”.
We can now address the verse as translated and written into the NIV Bible which added the parenthetical phrase “(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean’.).” Since this is NOT in the original Majority Text (See appendix A) where did it come from and is it an accurate translation of the Greek into English?
Answer: It was added in the NU Text (See appendix A) and is NOT supported by the 5,000 Majority Greek Texts or the 8,000 Latin texts extant. The addition of the parenthetical phrase distorts the meaning and the context of the original Greek text. We find a similar Biblical change in Acts 12:4 where the KJV translators purposely translated the Greek word “pascha” as Easter because they wanted it to say Easter rather than the correct translation of “Passover”. The translators of the NIV made the same purposeful error in adding the phrase mentioned above. The context is clearly spiritual defilement and not physical defilement but by literally adding to the Bible the translators tried to change the meaning of the verse to read it is okay for people to eat whatever one wants. This cannot be correct as Jesus, the God of the Old Testament and the God in the flesh on earth as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, tomorrow and forever (Heb. 13:8). The health laws outlined by God Himself were not removed by Jesus. Using the NU text to ADD to scripture is the ultimate “Proof texting” and is not sound Biblical scholarship. See the attached Appendix A for Mark 7:19 for a fuller discussion of the NIV and KJV versions on Mark 7:19.
Can one ask God to bless what God called an “abomination”?
Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the “synoptic” gospels. Each of these three gospels are very similar in content. So, we can compare Mark 7:19 with its corollary verse Matthew 15:17.
Matthew 15:17 KJV, “Donot ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?”
Matthew 15:17 NIV, “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?”
Both the NIV and the KJV agree in Matthew 15:17 where purged food goes (the toilet in modern English) and both are about spiritual defilement and not making the unclean, clean.
Jesus Himself gives us the correct context and meaning of the verse in question. Matthew 15:18-20, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. “ Jesus was discussing the false cleansing of ritual washings not the cleansing of the unclean meats of Leviticus 11.
Acts 10:9-16
Acts 10:9-16 “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
These verses are the main argument used by those who wish to do away with the issue of what God says to eat. To do so one must purposely throw out the context and insert ones’ belief system into the scripture. When the verses are read out of context, they would indicate Peter was to eat all manner of creeping and crawling things plus all manner of beast he had never before eaten. In the vision (verse 12) Peter saw all manner of beasts and creeping things. Everything alive seems to have been represented in the vision. However, God made it quite clear he was using the vision to teach Peter, Gentiles (those of the uncircumcision) were about to be called into God’s salvation by the saving grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 10: 28, 34, 44-48).
This vision of Peter’s occurred about four full years after the events of Mark 7:19, yet Peter had NEVER eaten anything unclean (Acts 10:14). The gentiles were unclean to the Jews and this vision did not make sense to Peter until we read Acts 10:28 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” This verse bears repeating as God cleansed the Gentiles, not unclean meats. The context was the calling of and cleansing of the unclean Gentiles. God used the symbolism of something so unclean and abominable to a Jew to teach Peter. He was extending His Grace to ALL mankind, not just those of the Jewish race. Peter was to accept the “unclean” human into the Church of God.
Peter repeats the entire incident of the calling of the uncircumcised Italian Gentile Cornelius in Acts 11:1-18. Peter explains to those of the circumcision (Jews) that God has cleansed all people including the uncircumcised Gentiles of the world. Acts 11:18 “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Conclusion: God called the Gentiles and used the symbolism of eating unclean foods to show He was cleansing people (Gentiles) and calling them into His grace and salvation through the power of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. To the Jew, Gentiles were “unclean” but God cleansed them. No place in these verses does God direct Peter to believe he should start eating unclean animals. As we read Acts 10 and chapter 11:1-18 we see clearly the context is the cleansing of the Gentiles and not the cleansing of unclean meats.
Remember what the brethren (Jewish Christians) said in Acts 11:18a “When they heard these things, they held their peace…” We should do likewise and glorify God for His cleansing and calling of all mankind both Jew and Gentile to His wonderful family.
Acts 15:20
Acts 15:20 “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
Acts 15:20 does not say go ye out there and eat anything you would like to eat. To believe this verse says it is okay to eat “unclean” foods and does away with the food laws one must literally mentally add those words and thoughts into this verse.
Were the Gentiles allowed to eat any foods they wished? Answer: no. The context of this chapter is what to do with the new Gentile converts Paul had proselytized throughout Greece and Asia Minor. Whether meat is clean or unclean was not the issue nor does it seem to have been discussed by the apostolic gathering.
As Gentiles became converted to “The Way” cultural decisions had to be made. Until God showed Peter in Acts 10 that He was also giving salvation to Gentiles the new Christian Church was 100% Jewish. The cultural norms of the day were that Jews could not eat with, go into the home with or often even socialize with non-Jews (Gentiles). The addition of Gentiles into the Jewish Christian church was a remarkable event requiring remarkable discussions and decisions.
In reading Acts 15:20 we see the apostle’s response to the newly converted Gentiles was to restrict their pagan activities which were the norm of their culture. The apostles did this by using Old Testament laws of spiritual purity to help the Gentiles live a life of spiritually pure Christianity. The verses in Acts 15:20 and 29 were not discussing clean and unclean foods but cultural changes required of the Gentiles so they would no longer be a part of pagan idol worshiping culture.
The abstentions listed in Acts 15:20, 29 against worshiping false idols are: 1) “abstain from pollution of idols.” It was a common practice in the Gentile world to worship false gods and idols. Abstaining from eating meats offered to these idols was meant to remove the newly converted Gentiles from their past flawed heathen worshipping ways. God had warned Israel repeatedly to not associate with or participate in the worship of idols (Lev. 19:4; Lev. 26:1; Deut. 29:17; Ex. 20: 4) and the Apostles carried on with these Old Testament admonitions with the Gentiles. 2&3) Abstain from eating things strangled and from blood. Once again, the apostles went back to the Old Testament teachings against eating meats that were strangled and eating the blood. Both of these were common practices of the Gentiles in their idol worship. The apostle Paul address’ foods sacrificed to idols in I Cor. 8 and 10 which will be covered shortly. By telling the new converts to not eat things strangled or with blood they were simply telling them to not participate in the idolatry of their former worship (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; 7:26-27). 4) Abstain from fornication (All sexual immorality). It was a standard practice in the cities of the Roman Empire and in the Greek speaking pagan world to visit the temple prostitutes of the goddess Diana. As part of being a newly converted Gentile Christian the apostles were reminding them to NOT participate in these evil ungodly, un-Christian acts of spiritual and physical fornication (Matt. 15:19; Mark 7:21; Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18). It should also be noted the word “fornication” as used in the Old Testament most often had to do with the worship of false gods and idols not just sex (II Chron. 21:11; Ezek. 16:26).
Acts 15:29 summarizes the context and the message given to the Gentiles on this subject. “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well”. This summary verse again shows the context is for the Gentiles to NOT GO BACK TO THEIR PAGAN IDOL WORSHIPPING WAYS. The prohibitions to the gentiles listed in Acts 15:20 and 29 all have to do with spiritual worship. Do not do the things the pagans do!!
For further evidence of the context the Greek word used in Acts 15:29 translated as “meats” is “eidolothytos” (Strong’s #1494). Eidolothytos is defined as, “food sacrificed to idols, things offered to idols, things sacrificed unto idols, meats offered to idols, offered in sacrifice to idols, offered in sacrifice unto idols, thing offered unto an idol, things offered in sacrifice unto idols, things offered unto idols.” The entire context is spiritual worship and the putting away of the false pagan cultural norms the Gentiles were coming out of.
If one takes Acts 15:20 as a total list of Christian prohibitions the Gentiles (And all Christians) are to live by we would then be allowed to break the Sabbath day, dishonor our parents, murder, steal, covet and lie. Obviously, there was more to the discussion and we have received the conclusion from Luke the author of Acts: Abstain from idolatry, eating things strangled with blood and fornication. This summary of Luke’s is clearly made to “keep them unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Paul reminds the Church of this decision in Acts 21:25. “As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.”
Conclusion: In no instance does Acts 15:20 change the food laws of God to allow the eating of unclean animals. All the prohibitions listed are spiritual in nature and the apostles used Old Testament laws to teach the newly converted Gentiles how to be a Christian. The Acts 15 conference was held to glorify God and His calling of the Gentiles and for the apostles to find practical explanations to help the Gentiles live a Godly converted Christian life free from the pagan cultural norms of the day.
Romans 14:2
Romans 14:2 “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
Is Paul, a Jewish Pharisee converted to Christianity telling people they may ignore the food laws of Lev. 11 and Deut. 14? Answer: No. Once again, we must look at context, historical background and language translation from the Greek to English. Paul had to deal with the culture of the Roman and Greek world throughout his entire ministry.
Rom. 14:1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Paul is about to discuss a weakness in the faith and how to teach one who is “weak in the faith”. He uses the example of one who eats meat and one who eats vegetables only. He considered one who only ate vegetables and not the clean meats God had made to be “weak in the faith.”
What we first notice in Rom. 14:2 is Paul does not specify clean or unclean meats (He will discuss the unclean in verse 14). Paul is discussing those who eat meat and those who eat ONLY vegetables. In Rom. 14:3 Paul says, “Let not him that eatheth despise him that eatheth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eatheth: for God hath received him.” The controversy was about judging those who did or did not eat meat or only ate vegetables. Whether the food was clean or unclean was not the issue Paul was discussing. He was reminding the Christians of Rome how to teach new converts and to put no stumbling block in their path to salvation (Rom. 14:13).
Apparently, some in the church held the belief only vegetables should be eaten. We often see this in today’s society. Vegetarianism is a big deal to some church groups. Vegan is now a popular diet. Low carb diets. Gluten free diets. Hindus do not eat pork or beef. Muslims do not eat pork. Jews do not eat pork. Paul used this opportunity to make several points: 1) Do not judge those who only eat vegetables. 2) Do not judge those who eat meat. 3) He plainly showed whatever is not of faith is sin (verse 23). 4) It is wrong to seer ones conscious and eat meat if one truly believes they should only eat vegetables. 5) It is wrong to give up eating meat if your conscious says it is okay to eat meat. 6) We should not be judging each other over what we eat as the Kingdom of God is not made up of “…meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). 7) Don’t do anything to offend or discourage the new Christian converts who are still weak in the faith.
Rom. 14:14 “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean”. The translators from the Greek to the English translated the Greek word “Koinos” as unclean in this verse. Strong’s #2839 defines koinos as “common, ceremonially unclean, impure, unholy, common, defiled…” It would have been a better translation to use the word common in verse 14.
When is a “clean” meat called “common” by God? 1) When a clean meat is strangled or still has the blood in it (Acts 15:20). 2) Common is clean food improperly prepared. 3) When a Jew was touched by a Gentile, as the Gentile was “common” (Acts 10:28). 4). When meats are offered in sacrifice to an idol.
Romans 14: 2 is not discussing clean and unclean meats but how to treat those who do or do not eat meat or vegetables. Koinos, the Greek word translated “unclean” in Rom. 14:14 is used twice in Acts 10:14 where it is translated as both “common” and “unclean”. The same Greek word “koinos”, in one sentence translated as two different English words, “common” and “unclean”. Common is the better English translation according to Strong’s Concordance (Strong’s #2839).
Romans 14:17 says “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” We also see in I Cor. 10:31 “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We can both honor and dishonor God by how and what we eat and drink. A little wine is good for us (I Tim. 5:23), gluttony is a sin, drunkenness is a sin. Paul was explaining to the Romans not to judge those who do eat clean meats and not to judge those he called weak in the faith because they only ate vegetables and did not eat clean foods (meat). We should not become a stumbling block to new converts to Christianity.
I Corinthians 6:12-13
I Cor. 6:12-13 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the LORD; and the LORD for the body.
Once again, we must look at the context of what Paul is saying. Is Paul saying all meats are good to eat. Answer: no.
If one is to believe Paul is saying all meats (including the unclean meats God called an “abomination”) are allowed to be eaten then one would also have to believe Paul is saying rape, murder, incest, theft, adultery, pornography, homosexuality and all other sins are now okay to commit. Paul was in no way saying ANY of these are now allowed. So, what was Paul saying?
Looking at verses 12-13 in context easily explain what Paul was discussing. I Cor. 6:9-10 gives the context, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
What was lawful to Paul was not sin (Rom. 6:23 “The wages of sin is death…” and I John 3:4 “Sin is the transgression of the law”). What was lawful to him was anything God ordained as righteousness but only when not used incorrectly. A bowl of cereal with a little bit of honey is expedient. A bowl of honey with one corn flake is not expedient. The honey is a clean food given from God but used incorrectly it is not expedient.
Gluttony is a sin. Drunkenness is a sin. Illicit sex with a prostitute is a sin. Yet, food, drink and sex with your spouse are all legal and “expedient” for the Christian.
Which Greek word is used for “meats” in verse 13? Strong’s #1033 the Greek word is Broma”. We have already seen “broma” means “food, what is eaten, meat, meats, victuals”. It is all foods both meat and vegetable. Our King James and other translations used the English word “meats” instead of food.
The apostle Paul goes on through the rest of I Cor. 6:14-29 to explain to the Corinthians that our bodies should not be joined to uncleanliness. We can abuse what God calls good and therefore we make it unclean. In Romans 14:13 we learned we should not be or put a stumbling block in the way of other Christians. Our actions and how we conduct ourselves is paramount in our Christian walk. Paul is telling us that just because it is legal in God’s eyes does not mean we should flaunt our liberty in the eyes of those who are weak in the faith.
I Corinthian 8: 1-13
In I Corinthians 8 Paul is discussing eating foods sacrificed to idols (Verse 1). If it is a “clean” food and one does NOT know it has been sacrificed to an idol then it is not a sin to eat. If one can eat clean food that has been sacrificed to an idol with a good clean conscious that is okay, but do not do so if it causes another to stumble in the faith (Verses 7-9). On the contrary Paul warns against knowingly eating foods sacrificed to idols. The context is not about clean or unclean foods but eating foods sacrificed to a pagan god and not offending fellow Christians.
Two different Greek words are translated as “meat” and “meats” in this chapter. The Greek word “Broma” (Which we have already covered) essentially means “all foods” which includes meat and vegetables. Broma is translated as “meats” in verse 13.
In verse 10 we see the interesting phrase, “sit at meat”. While similar in English (meats and meat) the meaning and intent of the verse is significantly changed by the understanding of the Greek word translated as “meat” in verse 10. Strong’s #2621, the Greek word is “Katakeimai” meaning to “lie down to eat”. Imagine a new convert seeing a fellow Christian in the pagan temple, lying down to eat with the pagans? This would be a terrible impression for the new convert and could shake their faith. Consequently, Paul said in verses 13, “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make by brother to offend.”
Consider others and their beliefs before you eat. Just because it is lawful does not mean one should eat it.
I Corinthians 10:25
I Corinthians 10:25 “Whatever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:”
Human flesh? Dead skunk? Rotten raccoon? Is Paul saying to go to the market and purchase any food one wants and simply don’t ask questions as to what it is before eating? Of course not! What is Paul telling us about foods? We will again see the context of his remarks as being about foods sacrificed to idols. Nothing in I Cor. 10 is about making unclean foods clean; it is all about idolatry.
Paul begins this section in verses 18-20 where he outlines the clear context of his discussion: Do not eat anything sacrificed to idols as that is tantamount to having fellowship with devils.
I Cor. 10:27 would seem to indicate we should be tactful and not ask a neighbor or a friend what kind of meat they are serving. Similar to the slogan “don’t ask, don’t tell”. This verse is NOT discussing clean and unclean meats. Verse 28 is very clear the context is foods sacrificed to idols. We should not let the numbered verses distract us from the flow as the numbers were not included into the Bible until the 1500’s. What Paul is saying is if you are invited over to a neighbor or a friend’s home and they serve you dinner and you do not know, and they do not say the food is sacrificed to an idol, go ahead and eat it. If, however, they tell you it was sacrificed to an idol than do NOT eat it. Eating and purchasing foods from the pagan temples was very common in the first century.
I Cor. 10:31 Paul sums up the attitude about eating and drinking we should all have. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”.
Colossians 2:16
Colossians 2:16 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:”
Does this verse mean clean meats, God’s Holy Days or the Sabbath day are all done away with? Answer, no. In fact, it does just the opposite when read in context.
We see the context in Colossian 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ”. Paul is discussing man’s philosophy, man’s vain deceit and man’s worldly traditions, not God’s way. With the context understood we now see Colossians 2:16 as something the first century Christians were doing. They would eat and drink, keep the Holy Days and the Sabbath day. Paul was telling the Colossians not to let themselves be judged for keeping God’s way by men who did not keep God’s ways.
The word “meat” in Colossian 2:16 in Greek is “brosis” (Strong’s #1035) meaning “consumable, food, rust, corrosion: meat, rust, eating, food, morsel of meat”. Simply all clean foods and drinks. Colossians 2:16 is about eating, drinking, keeping God’s laws and enjoying life as a Christian.
The fact Paul was discussing man and his wicked ways is further shown in Colossians 2:20-22 “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men.”
Paul compared happy Christians eating and drinking and keeping God’s Sabbath and Holy Days and contrasted the happiness of Christians verses the ascetic touch not, taste not ordinances of pagans.
I Timothy 4:4
I Timothy 4:4 “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:”
This verse will be looked at in context, language translation and using the clear to the unclear Biblical statements as a guide. We will allow the Bible to interpret the Bible. We will then be able to see Paul is not allowing the eating of unclean flesh.
Context: Paul is discussing the “doctrines of devils” (verse 1). What were these doctrines of devils? Verse 3, Not to marry, not to eat meats (Greek, “broma” all foods, meat and vegetables). Once again Paul was dealing with asceticism (a doctrine and ordinance of man as we learned in Colossians 2:20-22) which withheld pleasure from humanity as a so-called path (a false path) to God. The ordinances of men concerning asceticism believed the body of man was evil and should be punished by fasting and of depriving oneself from all pleasure-including food. Verse 3 also tells us we should be eating the meats God commanded to be eaten with thanksgiving.
What meats did God command to eat with “thanksgiving”? The entire list of the clean meats God commanded man to eat is found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. We cannot, however, eat unclean meats with thanksgiving as God will not bless what he called an “abomination” and “unclean”. In Leviticus 11 He used the term “unclean” 42 times and “abomination” 12 times to describe what mankind should NOT eat. God will not sanctify the unclean animal, and no amount of human prayer or ordinances will change this.
I Timothy 4:5 “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” What foods did God “sanctify” ie. Set apart as good food for mankind to eat? Only the clean meats listed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are sanctified by God for human consumption. Only what God commands to be clean for food can be sanctified. The unclean foods cannot be sanctified.
Conclusion
The only Biblical based conclusion of the matter of what mankind is to eat or not to eat is found in the Bible. Our creator, the one who made us and knows what we need to live a happy healthy life, gave us food instructions as well as instructions on how to live a Godly righteous way of life. As we maintain our automobiles by putting the correct fluids inside to give our vehicle a long safe breakdown free life, God gives us directions for us to have a long safe breakdown free life.
In the Future
His outline of what is “clean” and what is “unclean” is for all mankind, even today.
God, in His divine wisdom gives us the conclusion of the matter. In the future Kingdom of God when He rules this earth as Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Rev. 19:16) what does He say about eating unclean foods? Isaiah 66:15-17 “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.”
Matthew 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” In the future when God gathers his elect from the four corners of the earth, His angels will separate the clean from the unclean. Jesus uses the concept of the clean animal (fish in this case) verses the unclean to delineate between those He chooses and those who are condemned. This event takes place after His death and resurrection.
Revelation 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” In the future, God is still referring to and using the metaphor for the unclean birds (animals).
I Peter 1:14-16 In discussing “holiness” of the people of God Peter says, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Significantly, Peter is quoting Lev. 11:44. “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” At the very end of his ministry, Peter quotes from Moses and the food laws to show what is holy and unholy. If the food laws were done away this would not make any reasonable sense. Leviticus 11 uses the words “unclean” and “abomination” 42 times to describe what God (not man) calls an abomination. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). God cannot say what is an “abomination” and then later say go ahead and eat it, as it is no longer an abomination. He did not change His mind.
At the very end of time, God once again uses the concept of holy and unclean to describe mankind. “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” (Rev. 22:11). Again, we see the holy verses the unholy concept which He uses throughout the entire Bible and Peter alluded to. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” (Rev. 22:14). In the end, God separates the clean from the unclean. There is more to “clean and unclean” foods than just eating. There is obedience to God and His way of life. Let us all be holy and not put unclean and abominable foods into our mouths.
Paul, His capture and prison defense. Paul never ate or taught people (including gentiles) to eat unclean foods. He did, however, teach from the prophets and the law (Acts 23:14). When he returned to Jerusalem and told his travels and story to Apostle James (brother of Jesus), he was informed by James of his upcoming arrest for teaching against the law and the customs of the Jews. (Acts 21:20-22). Most significantly James makes the following statement, “…that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law” (Acts 21:24b). James states explicitly that Paul kept the law and kept the customs (vs 21 last word) of the Jews. Even James knew Paul was keeping the Law and customs of Moses and thus Paul was not eating or promoting the eating of unclean foods. If Paul had been promoting unclean foods the Pharisees would have accused him of it and would have stoned him over it. They did no such thing; thus, Paul was not betraying the Laws on clean and unclean meets, even as the end of his apostolic career approached. The entire conversation between James and Paul is quoted below,
“And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.” (Acts 21:17-24 [NKJV]). Emphasis is mine. Paul kept the customs, and the law of Moses and James defended him for it.
While in Caesarea Paul continued his defense against the accusations of the leaders of Judea including Ananias the high priest. In his own defense Paul makes the following statement about his life as a Christian, “Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14 [NKJV]). Take note of the following: the accusations against him were false. Secondly, Paul believed “all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” The rules for clean and unclean foods are a part of the Law and the prophets. If Paul had preached pigs were clean, he would have been a liar, and the Judean government would have stoned him to death. The implications of Paul lying are profound and would destroy the authenticity and integrity of the Bible as a whole.
While being interrogated by Governor Festus Paul defended his actions in preaching the gospel and reminded Festus and those present of the following, “7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” (Acts 25:7-8 [NKJV]). Paul’s defense was that he had done nothing which should have offended the Jews. If Paul had been promoting and eating unclean foods, he could not have made this statement.
Paul was raised a Pharisee “according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” (Acts 26:5 [NKJV]). As a young man Paul kept all the food laws! But what of his later life? Here is what he confessed to King Agrippa, “19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:19-23 [NKJV]). Paul was still preaching from the law and the prophets.
Paul and James would both have to be liars and hypocrites if they were breaking the law of Moses. Clean and unclean were integral to the law of Moses and both James and Paul did not break it. If Paul had promoted and eaten unclean foods the Jews would have killed him like Paul had killed Stephen.
In summary:
-From the very beginning of humanity, God delineated the clean from the unclean foods.
-God repeatedly calls “unclean” foods an abomination (Lev. 11 and Deut. 14).
-God was very specific about what foods we should and should not eat. No where in the Bible does He rescind this teaching.
-It would be illogical for God, being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb. 13:8) to change what he ordained mankind not to eat. If He did so, He would not be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
-How awkward it must be to ask God to bless a meal of unclean foods after God Himself called it an abomination. God does not change (Heb. 13:8) so how could He bless an abomination?
– In the future, as shown above, the differentiation between the clean and the unclean both in mankind and in foods is still a part of God and His way of life.
From the time of Adam and Eve, before and after Noah, the Israelites in the wilderness to the end of the written Bible and into the future God is adamant DO NOT EAT THAT WHAT HE CALLS AN ABOMINATION or UNCLEAN!
See Appendix B for a partial list of the “clean” and “unclean” animals.
See Appendix C for a short discussion on “Kosher”.
Appendix A
Mark 7:19
A further and deeper examination into where the phrase found in Mark 7:19 New International Version (NIV)comes from is appropriate to this study. “For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean’.).” From the NIV Study Bible Copyright 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation we read from the notes for Mark 7:19 “(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods ‘clean’). Mark adds this parenthetical comment to help his readers see the significance of Jesus’ pronouncement for them (See Acts 10:9-16).”
Did ancient Greek have parentheses and was this addition in the original Greek text? The answer to both questions is a resounding no.
The” notes” from the translators of the NIV on Mark 7:19 are clearly a commentary based on their personal beliefs of clean and unclean meats. By using the NU Text (discussed below) they have altered the majority of texts (13,000 manuscripts verses a few manuscripts of the NU Text) to fit their belief.
Taking a look at the NIV First-Century Study Bible published by Zondervan in 2014 we see from the notes of Mark 7:19 the NIV commentators in a disagreement with themselves from the 1985 edition. The NIV First-Century Study Bible notes read, “Jesus declared all food clean. The Greek does not include the words “in saying this, Jesus declared.” Translated literally, the Greek says “cleansing all foods.” Surprisingly, “cleansing all foods” might instead be a reference to food passing out of the body as excrement. The rabbis argued that excrement was in fact ritually pure (though the Dead Sea Scrolls disagree). If this reading is correct, Jesus was pointing out the logical inconsistencies in the Pharisaic position that excrement of impure food was ritually pure. This reading is supported by Jesus’ example of food passing out of the body (See Matt. 15:17-20 and note.)”
A discussion of the “M” (majority text-Textus Receptus TR) used in the KJV and the “NU” (Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus) text as compared in our study of Mark 7:19 which is used in many modern translations, including the NIV is in order.
“We have a choice between two Greek texts: The NU which is based on a few manuscripts that have significant differences in reading from each other and from the majority of manuscripts in 1000’s of places, and the TR or M text which is based on over 5000 Greek manuscripts which agree. The Textus Receptus is the one we can put our confidence and trust in as containing the very words of God’s Word. It is not based on a handful of corrupted manuscripts.
Has the NIV been translated from the best ancient Greek manuscripts? NO! It has been translated from a modern Greek text that reads differently than any Greek manuscript that is in existence. It was translated from the NU Greek text which is a modern eclectic Greek text that was pulled together from a handful of ancient manuscripts, of which not one of them reads the same as any other manuscript, while the majority (Around 95%) of the existing manuscripts are in agreement. The result is that the NU Greek text has removed, added, and changed many words in the Bible. (Emphasis for clarification this author) Any translation, the NIV included, based upon the NU Greek text is therefore unreliable and guilty of breaking God’s command not to add to, or remove His Words.” Biblical Research Reports Myron Horst 7033 Ed Sears Rd. Dickerson, Md. 20842.
The “M” text has over 5,000 Greek manuscripts and 8,000 Latin manuscripts all in agreement of about 99.9%. Where they disagree is generally in the spelling of a name or a word. The “M” text has generally been considered the most reliable as there are 13,000 agreeing manuscripts. The 1529 William Tyndale translation, the 1599 Geneva translation were both based on the” M” texts. The King James Bible was translated using the Geneva Bible as its basis and is a more “literal” approach to the translation from Greek to English. The NU text uses interpolation to “fill in the blanks” where not all the texts are available.
“The manuscript preferences cited in many contemporary translations of the New Testament are due to recent reliance on a relatively few manuscripts discovered in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Dependence on these manuscripts, especially two, the Sinaitic and the Vatican manuscripts, is due to the greater age of these documents. However, in spite of their age, some scholars have reason to doubt their faithfulness to autographs, since they often disagree with one another and show other signs of unreliability. The Greek text obtained by using these sources and related papyrus (are) known as the Alexandrian Text.”
“On the other hand, the great majority of existing manuscripts are in substantial agreement.” Quoted from, The New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers New York, 1982 from the Preface (NKJV).
The manuscripts which “often disagree with one another and show other signs of unreliability” is the NU Text. The “great majority of existing manuscripts are in substantial agreement” thus the M text used by the KJV.
When studying the Bible, we should understand and check to see which texts were used to translate the version we are reading. We need to note “Where significant variations occur in the New Testament Greek manuscripts”. The NU-text varies from the traditional (M) text in many ways. The NU-text generally represent the Alexandrian or Egyptian discoveries of the early 19th and 20th centuries. These few manuscript discoveries alter the existing “M” texts. Adding “In saying this, Jesus declared all food clean” in Mark 7:19 is one of the additions (changes) used in modern translations.
Some translation which used the “M” text include: The King James Bible, the New King James Bible, The Geneva Bible and the Tyndale Bible. Also, of note using the “M” text, also called the Byzantine text is the Holy Bible in its Original Order, A New English Translation Published by York Publishing Company 2nd ed. 2009. Some of the modern translations which use the NU-texts are the NIV, Revised Standard Version, An American Translation, Good News For Modern Man, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, The Living Bible, Revised Standard Version and the Living New Testament. Unambiguous on Mark 7:19 is the Amplified Bible.
The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures published 1969 by the New World Bible Translation Committee purports to give us a “literal word for word translation into English under the Greek text…” Did they? Mark 7:19 word for word translation from the Greek to English reads,” not is able him to make common, because not it is going its way in of him into the heart but into the cavity, and into the sewer, is going its way out? Cleansing all the eatables.” They translate this to read, “since it passes, not into (his) heart, but into (his) intestines, and it passes out into the sewer?” Thus, he declared all foods clean.” It is NOT a word for word rendition or translation, like other modern scholars they add the words, “he declared all foods clean”.
We must be careful as we study the Bible to note the translation we are using and to remember to use the clear unambiguous verses to help us understand the potentially unclear verses. Many more modern translations, like the N.I.V., are eminently readable but one should be careful in the translation.
The NU-texts go back to about the mid 350’s A.D. They are NOT original manuscripts of the first century. While they are older than what is available for the “M” text they often do not agree with the “M” text. We are confronted with 13,000 agreeing “M” texts verses a few latent found texts from the 1800 and 1900’s A.D. NU texts which sometimes disagree with each other.
Our study of Mark 7:19 has shown in context Jesus pointed out it is what enters our heart which defiles us, not what we eat. “Broma”, the Greek word translated “meats” is about all food, both meat and vegetable. The “M’ text outweighs the NU-text by around 13,000 manuscripts which do not disagree with themselves as the NU text does on occasion. In no place did Jesus make unclean (abomination) foods clean to eat.
For an excellent discussion on the topic of the “M” text and the NU-text see the attached report: http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/the-niv-report/
Appendix B
A partial list of the unclean foods God says not to eat and God calls an abomination. Leviticus 11:3 is our Biblical guideline. Whatsoever partheth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Therefore, what not to eat is any animal that does not both chew the cud and part the hoof. Examples are horses, camel, swine, ostrich, elephants, zebras, lions, tigers, bears, wolves, dogs, cats, bats, rats, mice, toads, frogs etc. Some animals that are considered clean are bovine (beef), buffalo, sheep, goat, giraffe, deer, elk, moose etc. These fit the definition of clean in God’s eyes as they chew the cud and split the hoof.
What about fish? Leviticus 11:10 is our guide. “And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.” Very simply, to eat any water creature it must have fins and scales. Lobsters, shrimp, abalone do not have fins and scales and should not be eaten. Catfish, dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles do not have fins and scales and should not be eaten.
Appendix C Kosher
We often hear of the word “Kosher” when we think of following the “Jewish” food laws. Firstly, as shown above the rules for eating clean and unclean meats are not Jewish, they are Godly Biblical rules for healthy living existing well before Judah the son of Jacob (Israel) was born. As we learned earlier, the health laws of what to eat or not to eat were present from the beginning of mankind’s creation and well before the Mosaic Covenant.
What then is Kosher? Is “eating Kosher” the same as keeping the laws of clean and unclean meats as outlined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14? Many people seem to think so but that would be a false conclusion. Kosher is much more than just not eating unclean animals. The concept of Kosher grew up around the written laws of clean and unclean meats as a part of the Jewish Oral Law. The Oral Law is designed to keep one away from sin. It is as if a hedge was built around the law to make sure no one strays into sin. Kosher is a part of this oral law to keep a hedge between the Jewish people and from eating anything unclean. Kosher therefore includes methods of slaughter and extra Biblical laws not originally a part of the food laws of Lev. 11 and Deut. 14.
Kosher is the following. Kosher is designed for the food and premises in which food is sold, cooked or eaten, which satisfy the requirements of Jewish law. Kosher consists of three elements: 1) Avoid all non-kosher foods (The lists are found in Lev. 11 and Deut. 14). 2) Do not eat meat or dairy together. 3) Eat correctly slaughtered meat drained of blood. In Hebrew the word “kosher” means fit or appropriate. Fundamental elements of kosher prepared foods are to 1) Slaughter in a prescribed manner and 2) The prohibition of cooking a goat in its own mother’s milk. This prohibition of mixing meat and milk products is the basis for the complete separation of milk and meat products in a Kosher home.
Why not eat meat and milk together? Three separate places are found in the Bible about eating meat and milk together being forbidden (Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 14:21). Consequently, those who eat “kosher” prepared foods would never eat a meal that served both meat and milk at the same time. There are some Orthodox Jews who will not eat meat or drink milk within several hours of each other to make sure they are not mixing meat and milk products within their stomach. Many homes in the Jewish community have two complete sets of dishes. One for meat dishes and one for dishes that contain dairy products. These sets of dishes are never combined or mixed together. This is a part of the rules for eating kosher.
The fundamental difference between eating “Kosher” and observing the dietary laws given by God are 1) Clean and unclean meats as given by God in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are health laws given by God for our benefit as humans. 2) Kosher laws are religious laws which grew up over time to protect one from breaking the God given health laws.
Christian Foods
Mike Wallace
