Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

1. some say circumcision is healthy
2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

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1. Circumcision is not a command but some choose to do it for health reasons, it's up to the individual.
2. Eating pork is a personal choice like eating shellfish or deer or anything. In the New Testament Christians were not under dietary restrictions.
Colossians 2:13-17

My soul detests pork. I eat it every now and then, for example on a pizza or something that the dominant taste/texture/etc. isn't the pork.

But I literally could not eat a pork roast (literally, if I tried I'd have to stop), or eat a ham, or something that's directly pork and/or has a dominant pork taste. I've tried, I can't lift the fork to my mouth after the first bite.

It's the only meat I'm like that with (well, probably shell fish too, I haven't ate shellfish in ayons so I don't know if it's the case - but I'm guessing it is).

I believe I'm a physical descendant of Abraham, Issac and Jacob because of that actually, and due to other reasons too.

To answer your question though, I'll say that Gentiles were never commanded not to eat pork or shellfish or other meats that were unclean to the Israelite's. Jews were commanded not to eat those things, and were commanded to not eat them even after Jesus left which is why Jesus said that the commandments were still in place and that he never came to do away with any of them. The early Jewish brothers/sisters of the church didn't eat pork or unclean foods.
It seems. in my eyes, that with the destruction of the temple the laws could no longer be obeyed, nor were commanded to be obeyed when the Temple was destroyed... but I could be wrong about that part, it's just where study has led me.

One could argue that Messianic Judaism is the restoration of Jews living out the law, however I have multiple issues with that. 4 of the main reasons being that Messianic Jews refer to each other as Rabbi, males cover their heads in prayer, they believe Gentiles should follow the law, and they only practice a couple of the laws... they'll say it's unclean for a man to sleep with his wife on her period, but it's ok to sit on chairs where other unclean people have sat. 4 reasons are enough for me to say no, 1 is enough really.

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

1. some say circumcision is healthy
2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

Click to expand...

You can choose to do or not do those things, as long as it's for personal reasons. (Health concerns are personal reasons.)

I am sure this one will bring strong opinions on the other side, but the early Church in the council at Jerusalem recorded in the book of Acts decided that it was wrong to make Gentiles "become Jews" (come under Jewish requirements of the Law) in order to become Christians.

This would represent trusting in our own works if we think we do these things for the sake of our salvation. Galatians 5:4 says that if we trust in works of the law to be justified, we have fallen from grace.

So yes, you can choose to do it. Just don't think it's part of your salvation.

For someone who thinks it is more pleasing to God to not eat pork, eating it can be a good idea as part of solidifying the battle against righteousness by works.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:2-4, 1984 NIV)

However, it is not the eating or not eating of pork, that matters, it is whether one is trying to be more pleasing to God by what they approve of.

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. (Romans 14:22, 1984 NIV)

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. (Romans 14:20, 1984 NIV)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6, 1984 NIV)

Avoiding pork to please God is like avoiding gentiles to please God (Galatians 2:12 and such).

See Acts 10:9-16 , 28, of which one verse is:
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15, 1984 NIV)

CodyFaith said:

I believe I'm a physical descendant of Abraham, Issac and Jacob because of that actually, and due to other reasons too.

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God may not want you to eat pork, but it's not for the reason you state. You are also a physical descendant of Noah. God speaking to Noah:

Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. (Genesis 9:3, 1984 NIV)

(Along with God declaring all food clean in Acts 10:9-16.)

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

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Many already do.

Jesus_is_Saint said:

1. some say circumcision is healthy

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According to the CDC and a number of studies, it is. It would be a difficult argument for a Christian to say something commanded by God was detrimental, and its been practiced for thousands of years without any issues (until complaints the last 10 or 15). Certainly not necessary for religious reasons (to believe so is a dangerous heresy), but if as part of a healthy lifestyle choice, who would complain?

Jesus_is_Saint said:

2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

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Pork may be unhealthy, but thanks to Jesus, its no longer a religious issue. Some Christian choose to abstain for health reasons, and benefit from this (as some choose to practice circumcision and receive the benefits of this).

You may choose to do or not to do either. Unless God gives you personally a specific command, your choice will not affect your salvation or your place in heaven one way or the other. (There is a slight modification for the Messianic Jewish Christians, who are networked genetically and by their heritage, and they need to consider these things for themselves.)

The Jews do not eat any animal unless it both chews the cud and has a cloven hoof. These are symbolic of meditating on the Word of God, and of walking in heaven as you live on earth, respectively. It has nothing to do with the bacteria issues.

Circumcision is about being clean when you create new things on earth. Again, symbolic, not health related. In fact, there is legal concern in American cities where many Jews live, that circumcision by rabbis must be medically correct, and I have heard rumors of infants dying (but that may just be urban legend).

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

1. some say circumcision is healthy
2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

Click to expand...

Pigs are really no more unhealthy than other animals, and in fact pigs are among the cleanest domesticated animals humans raise. So health had nothing to do with God forbidding pork, also, it's not pork that is itself forbidden, pigs are just one animal among an entire group of animals which are forbidden; acceptable animals for consumption required that they have a cloven hoof and chew the cud, i.e. ruminants, which is why horse, rabbit, kangaroo, and llamas are also forbidden. Pigs, while having split hooves don't ruminate, and thus aren't kosher; llamas on the other hand do ruminate, but don't have split hooves, and thus aren't kosher. So the issue is not pigs or pork, it's that pigs don't fit the definition of what is kosher, which is that the animal have split hooves and that it chew the cud, both of these criteria are commanded to make the food fit for consumption according to God's instruction to the Jews.

Similarly, there are restrictions on fish and birds. Anything that swims that doesn't have scales is forbidden, that's why clams, lobster, and squid are forbidden, it's also why catfish aren't kosher (catfish, while being fish, don't have scales). Birds of prey are forbidden, so chickens are kosher, hawks and vultures not kosher.

So it's important to understand, pigs aren't prohibited because they are pigs, or because there is anything unhealthy or wrong with pigs; they are prohibited because they fall under the category of prohibited things. Pigs get special attention when it comes to non-kosher food because pigs are the most commonly raised non-kosher livestock in the world, this was as true three thousand years ago as it is today.

So to answer the question: As a Christian you are free to be circumcised or not be circumcised (it doesn't matter either way), and you are free to eat whatever you want, or not eat whatever you don't want. Want to eat pork? Eat pork. Don't want to eat pork? Don't eat pork.

-CryptoLutheran

After reading ViaCrucis' nice summarization of the Law, I will reiterate what I wrote earlier in a different way:

People raised as Jews (culturally Jewish) or who are Jewish by blood would be best off eating pork. This would likely please God more than refraining from eating pork, and would have a better spiritual effect on other Jews and gentiles that know that's what he or she is doing. (However, the social effect may take priority over the spiritual effect in some families/circumstances).

In Isaiah, before the new heavens and new earth are established, God speaks about a rebellious people which walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; a people that provoke Me to anger continually to My face, (65:2,3). One of the reasons these people provoke the Lord is because they eat swine's flesh, and broth of unclean meat is in their pots, (65:4).

Also, God declares that He will consume those people who eat swine's flesh, detestable things, and mice. (Isa.66:17). The context of this prophecy is the end times, right before the new heaven and new earth. This would certainly seem to suggest that the Lord will still expect an obedience to His dietary laws.

And Revelation talks of unclean birds which doesn't make sense if all animals have been made clean.

..

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

1. some say circumcision is healthy
2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

Click to expand...

It goes against the Word of God to eat Pork. We should not try to define sin we should leave that job up to God. This is not a religious thing as some have claimed, pork is unclean for us the OP is correct He created us He knows what is good for us and what is not.
Leviticus 11:7 and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
Deuteronomy 14:8 Also the swine is unclean for you, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat
Isaiah 65:3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;
Who sacrifice in gardens,
And burn incense on altars of brick;
4 Who sit among the graves,
And spend the night in the tombs;
Who eat swine’s flesh,
And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,
Do not come near me,
For I am holier than you!’
These are smoke in My nostrils,
A fire that burns all the day.

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Medical reports say that it is in the body of pig that the RNA/DNA of super bugs was generated.

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I know someone who actually eats hog head cheese... Thats a hogs head boiled, and the white stuff that rises to the top is the "cheese".

That and menudo I stay clear of.

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

1. some say circumcision is healthy
2. pork contains many viruses, and today's pigs are fed with antibiotics, God knows what's wrong with pig therefore he forbade Israel to eat pork in OT. But why Christians eat pork?

Click to expand...

Christians are free to eat or not eat whatever we like.

Why an adult would choose to be circumcised, I have no idea. But Christians are free to be circumcised or not.

I admit that I once accidentally ate pickled pig skin (Cueritos) bought from a mexican lady on the street. The skins were jiggly and cut into coils and put into a snack size bag of tortilla chips mixed with red hot cheetos.

...never again.



...I assumed they were onions.

Lol, the funniest part was that she ripped the bag of chips open with her teeth, I kid you NOT!

Jesus_is_Saint said:

Can a Christian choose to circumcise and not to eat pork?

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Sure. As long as he does not make this as issue for others.

Why would you want to circumcise pigs?