What should we eat today?

1 tim 4:3-5
romans 14:20-23
1 cor 8:12

In Christ,

Acts6:5

This is a interesting question... the very fact that there is a comparison of two sections of scriptures here in this context in the first place baffles me.

This situation is either implying:

• a contradiction in the scripture, two sections disagreeing with each other, one being wrong and one being correct
• or something we're not understanding

I personally believe that the Scripture does not contradict itself, therefore I believe we are dealing with the latter. Let us establish that...

1. Scripture does not contradict itself.
2. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
3. All of His commandments bring life, and all sin (or transgression of the commandments) bring death.

His commands are perpetual and last forever. Leviticus 11 is what He told us to eat and not to eat, what is healthy and what is unhealthy for us. We also know that all of His commandments describe what He desires from us and what He does not desire from us. Specifically in regards to commands regarding unclean and clean foods, He says:We are called to be holy as He is holy, and God has holy and unholy foods. Science even testifies that everything considered unclean in the Torah will kill you quicker and certainly grant you a shorter life span if you eat it.

Why is this? It's spiritual law. When we oppose and do what is contrary to YHVH's Word, we sin.What do we know about sin?This is spiritual law. All sin leads to death. If I have sex with tons of women and cheat on my wife, I am breaking the commandments and am sinning by definition of 1 John 3:4 and transgressing that which YHVH has asked of me. Because of this, I would get AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and etc. These diseases will result in death.

Sin gives birth to death and we see this same principle at work with Leviticus 11, when we eat foods God said not to eat, it results in health problems. Anyone can research shrimp or pork and see how much your body likes it.

Since we know God is the same, yesterday and forever and that He does not change, we can conclude that 1 Timothy 4:3-5 and Romans 14:20-23 (as well as I'm sure people will bring up Acts 10 and Mark 7) is not talking about unclean and clean food, or else we're dealing with a problem and change in God's word.

Further investigation of these scriptures from a unbiased perspective reveals that if it is infact talking about food(which Acts 10 is not), then it isn't talking about the difference between clean and unclean food.

To properly even understand 1 Timothy 4:3, we must define what foods God made to be received with thanksgiving. Would something that He calls an abomination in Leviticus 11 qualify as a food to be received with thanksgiving? Did God change His mind? Is He really not the same yesterday and forever?


Regards,
Zak

If we are Christians, then we are under a new covenant with God through faith.

The old covenant - laws were to test Israel, persons had to obey these laws to learn obedience to God.
Certain foods were to be avoided not just because these animals were scavangers but because it was part of Gods teachings.

Paul said I have the faith to eat anything.

The old covenant was the law.
The new covenant is faith.

So we being Christians should obey the food advice given in the new covenant, which is advice and not law.

But we are told not to eat blood or strangled meat, that sounds like a command.

When I buy a barbecued chicken, I dont know if it was killed by having its neck wrung or whether it had it's head chopped off and was bled. So I eat it with no qualms, I have faith to eat anything.

Theres a lot that I don't eat because not all food appeals to me.

I just realised that this is propably not an eschatology subject, but does it matter, unless it becomes pages long.

garry2 said:

If we are Christians, then we are under a new covenant with God through faith.

The old covenant - laws were to test Israel, persons had to obey these laws to learn obedience to God.
Certain foods were to be avoided not just because these animals were scavangers but because it was part of Gods teachings.

Paul said I have the faith to eat anything.

The old covenant was the law.
The new covenant is faith.

So we being Christians should obey the food advice given in the new covenant, which is advice and not law.

But we are told not to eat blood or strangled meat, that sounds like a command.

When I buy a barbecued chicken, I dont know if it was killed by having its neck wrung or whether it had it's head chopped off and was bled. So I eat it with no qualms, I have faith to eat anything.

Theres a lot that I don't eat because not all food appeals to me.

I just realised that this is propably not an eschatology subject, but does it matter, unless it becomes pages long.

Click to expand...

People like to talk about the Old covenant and believe that the old covenant is every law contained in the old testament in the bible. That is so false. The old covenant and the old testament of the bible is different. The old covenant do not have anything to do with dietary laws but everything to do with laws pertaining to sacrifices and ordinances. As Fritz said some of the passages mentioned have nothing to do with dietary clean and unclean foods but ceremonially unclean foods. I will give explanation.

Notrash said:

So by context what way should we eat today .... according to the bible

Gen 2:16 eat of any tree
or
gen 9:3-4
or
Lev 11:1-47... law for food
or
1 tim 4:3-5
romans 14:20-23
1 cor 8:12

Click to expand...

Yes it comes from an Adventist website so many would not want to even check the link. But just check it out. I can assure you that it can answer all of your questions. Pay attention to the section where the texts that you gave are discussed.

http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/documents/Clean & Unclean Meats.htm

fritz300 said:

His commands are perpetual and last forever.

Click to expand...

And yet Peter said, "it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." So under the Law, God separated pure from impure nations; under the New Covenant, God can take those impure, Gentile peoples and make them clean, thus satisfying the law.

fritz300 said:

We are called to be holy as He is holy, and God has holy and unholy foods.

Click to expand...

And the Israelites were called to be holy, and God designated holy and unholy peoples. But God can take a people that were once considered impure and make them clean. He used a vision of unclean foods to make that point to Peter.

fritz300 said:

Science even testifies that everything considered unclean in the Torah will kill you quicker and certainly grant you a shorter life span if you eat it.

Click to expand...

Please provide the scientific documentation to back up that claim. I'll bet you dollars to donuts that a steady diet of hamburger meat will kill you a lot quicker than a steady diet of shrimp.

fritz300 said:

Anyone can research shrimp or pork and see how much your body likes it.

Click to expand...

Since you're the one making the claim, how about you do it and provide the links to your research.

fritz300 said:

Since we know God is the same, yesterday and forever and that He does not change, we can conclude that 1 Timothy 4:3-5 and Romans 14:20-23 (as well as I'm sure people will bring up Acts 10 and Mark 7) is not talking about unclean and clean food, or else we're dealing with a problem and change in God's word.

Click to expand...

Nope; we're dealing with God taking things that were once "impure and unclean", and cleansing them so that they are considered pure and clean.

fritz300 said:

Further investigation of these scriptures from a unbiased perspective reveals that if it is infact talking about food(which Acts 10 is not), then it isn't talking about the difference between clean and unclean food.

Click to expand...

How can you possibly come to that conclusion when Peter's response to the voice's request was, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is impure or unclean"? Obviously some of the animals in the vision were "impure and unclean" or else Peter would not have had any reason to refrain from killing and eating the animals that were presented to him.

fritz300 said:

To properly even understand 1 Timothy 4:3, we must define what foods God made to be received with thanksgiving. Would something that He calls an abomination in Leviticus 11 qualify as a food to be received with thanksgiving? Did God change His mind? Is He really not the same yesterday and forever?

Click to expand...

Peter said it was unlawful to visit Cornelius. But it was revealed to Peter that what was once considered unclean and unlawful was not to be called impure and unclean because God had made them clean. Did God change his mind and allow His people to accept impure things? No - He made those things clean, so that they would be lawful. It’s not a “change of mind”…it’s a “cleansing”.

In Christ,

Acts6:5

And yet Peter said, "it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." So under the Law, God separated pure from impure nations; under the New Covenant, God can take those impure, Gentile peoples and make them clean, thus satisfying the law.

Click to expand...

The gentiles were never unclean in God's eyes but in the eyes of the proud and self exalted Jews. And at that time all peoples were equal.

And the Israelites were called to be holy, and God designated holy and unholy peoples. But God can take a people that were once considered impure and make them clean. He used a vision of unclean foods to make that point to Peter.

Click to expand...

Exactly, the vision had nothing to do with clean and unclean foods. The point was to do with their mentality towards people of other nations.

Nope; we're dealing with God taking things that were once "impure and unclean", and cleansing them so that they are considered pure and clean.

Click to expand...

That thing is the people and not food.

How can you possibly come to that conclusion when Peter's response to the voice's request was, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is impure or unclean"? Obviously some of the animals in the vision were "impure and unclean" or else Peter would not have had any reason to refrain from killing and eating the animals that were presented to him.

Click to expand...

What he meant is the purpose of the vision has nothing to do with clean and unclean foods but people considered unclean and unholy.

Peter said it was unlawful to visit Cornelius. But it was revealed to Peter that what was once considered unclean and unlawful was not to be called impure and unclean because God had made them clean. Did God change his mind and allow His people to accept impure things? No - He made those things clean, so that they would be lawful. It’s not a “change of mind”…it’s a “cleansing”.

Click to expand...

What was considered unclean and unholy referring to the people and not to food. If it did refer to food then why didn't people begin to tell the people that all foods are good to eat.

The whole content of the OT is the Old covenant.. For now we have a new and that is in not in the blood of animals but in the blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ.. Freedom. Christ came and set the sinner free..

We are free now to truly worship in Spirit and Truth because we now are the temple of Christ Spirit. It is no longer in rules and regulations but in Christ that dwells with in us. For now anything without faith is sin..

MamaZ said:

We are free now to truly worship in Spirit and Truth because we now are the temple of Christ Spirit. It is no longer in rules and regulations but in Christ that dwells with in us. For now anything without faith is sin..

Click to expand...

Your's as well as many other's mentality would suggest that anything WITH faith is not sin.

I believe the Bible in many ways clearly defines that sin is transgression of the commandments.

So, if we faithfully break the commandments, it's not sin? Violating the commandments of Leviticus qualifies as breaking the commandments, faithfully or not.

If I faithfully murder someone or faithfully commit adultery, I am violating the commandments, faithfully or not. That by definition is sin.

We must recognize our errors of the past... we have all been so ingrained with a mentality that grace and faith is the opposite of obedience to the commandments and that it is better--but both are equal. We must learn to walk in obedience, the way ordained since the beginning of time, with faith. We have been robbed, obedience to the commandments is one of the most beautiful forms of worship. It is indeed time for true worshipers to rise up and worship in Spirit and Truth.


Regards,
Zak

clearly, what one eats does not make then unclean or clean as an individual,

it is not what goes in, but what comes out....

that said, God did not change our bodies requirements after the cross...we still should follow His very good food laws, not for salvation, but for health...live longer and better....

and there really is no NT reference that makes it ok to eat unclean foods...not when divided properly.



pigs/swine is a scavenger
shrimp/lobster/crab is a bottom feeder....

we are to avoid eating these things unless you wanna get sick...they are meant to be here to do other jobs...clean up all the cr_p that we cannot digest.

so don't eat them...they are garbage cans.....




and bacon was my favorite too!!!!!!



remember that once one becomes honestly knowledgable in a subject, they are held to accountability.

in His service
c

The Romans 14
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

You have to look at the passage carefully and compare it with other parallel passages like 1 Corinthians 8.

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Rom 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Who is he that is weak in the faith? They are those who may have probably just heard about Christ and their faith in Jesus is weak. For a jew, it would mean that for him the sacrifices and ordinances will not have really ceased. He will still pay respect to feast days and still offer sacrifices. Christians who know that these things are void would condemn him.

Notice as well that the person that is weak keeps away from meat completely. It means that there must be a problem with the meat sold in the market that would cause him to stay away. And this person is weak in the faith of Christ and still believes in ceremonial power. Common practice in the markets would be to sell meat that were offered to idols or that were sacrifices. Before Christ, any meat that was sacrifices to God was ceremonially unclean because it would contain all the sins of the individual. Even the gentiles had that same belief with meat offered to their Gods. So this person who is weak in the faith of Jesus stays away from the market in fear that he may accidentally eat meat that was offered as sacrifice in the jewish community or offered to idols in the gentile community. So to avoid their conscience being defiled they would eat only herbs.

Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

As i said before the one man who esteemeth one day above another is also weak in the faith of Jesus. This person still deemed the feast days which were ceremonial sabbath days contained in feast such as the feast of tabernacles as still being holy. Paul in his own mind knows that this is not significant anymore but because of all the division that had started to take place in the church he urged the brethren to accept what each other believed and not to judge.

1Co 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1Co 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

This message was specifically to gentile believes weak in the faith of Christ who have not overcome their belief of the existence of their own idols and gods.

1Co 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Paul even says that when he is with such people he will abstain from things that they also abstain from as to prevent their conscience from being defiled. We can take hints from this passage to aid us in understanding Romans 14. There is another parallel as well.

1Co 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

Again Paul is referring directly to the gentile believers but this time to teach them. These are the same people who have been eating herbs and have stayed away from the meat market for fear that they might take meat that was once offered to idols. Paul is finally telling them that they have no need to fear over.

do you watch/listen to "amazing facts" PK?