Why don't christians follow the clean and unclean food rules?

[PaladinValer]

Battie. how can your family (which I assume are also Lutherans) do that when all Lutheran churches that I know hold to the Council of Jerusalem?

Just a curiousity.

 

[Battie]

Battie. how can your family (which I assume are also Lutherans) do that when all Lutheran churches that I know hold to the Council of Jerusalem?

Just a curiousity.

Er, this is slightly embarrassing, but I have no idea what you're talking about. What is the Council of Jerusalem?

Edit: Never mind. I looked it up. I think what that's saying is that God does not expect Gentiles to follow those laws. My family follows the food regulations (again, not strictly) because we believe they are healthy. We do not do it because we think God requires it. We just think it's a good idea.

 

[tsai001]

So, can anyone explain to me how the bible is infallible, or divinely inspired if it contradicts itself. First there are laws saying that some cannot eat certain foods, then those laws are nullified.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

The OT laws are a working out of God's will taking in account the situation and failing of the ancient Hebrews as well as preparation for Christ. With the first Advent, the need to keep the people of God seperated passed.

 

[tulc]

So, can anyone explain to me how the bible is infallible, or divinely inspired if it contradicts itself. First there are laws saying that some cannot eat certain foods, then those laws are nullified.

...yeah, what fragmentsofdreams said!
tulc(welcome to CF by the way!)

 

[Shy21]

So, can anyone explain to me how the bible is infallible, or divinely inspired if it contradicts itself. First there are laws saying that some cannot eat certain foods, then those laws are nullified.

Because this guy named Jesus came and changed all the laws. I guess we dont have to follow G-d Laws anymore because Jesus say we should follow his "new" laws. For the Christians...this is my main reason for not believing in Christ. It's like a man came and changed all of G-d's Laws to make people worship him. Anyways if I am wrong...prove me right because I dont get it either.

NOTE: I am not trying to criticize Christianity or say it's a liar..I just dont get it.

 

[createdtoworship]

We don't follow kosher laws because, number one these laws were meant specifically to the Jews in the old testament. They are good practical laws but today we live in a cleaner society and HAM for instance isn't the same HAm. The JEWs were leaders in the day as far as public sanitation, while in the wilderness they were the only tribes and cultures we know of today that actually would travel outside of camp and bury their excrement with a tool.
This is why they survived many plagues and such.

So the laws had a place, the JEWS were to touch no unclean thing.

Today, we have liberty. With the coming of the Messiah he fulfilled the all Laws that God created for us. How do I know this. It says in Romans that to him who eats it is clean, to him who eats not it is not clean. And not to judge one anothers servant. The same argument is used in same chapter regarding holydays.


If we make a religion out of koshur laws then we might as well follow all the holy days of Israel, also wear Jewish garments, and also travel to Jerusalem once a year on passover, not to mention change our church day to saturday, that was the true sababth technically.

You see what I mean. What happened about 50 years ago was that several churches decided to replace the term israel with the term CHURCH. So every verse in the old testament referring to israel now referred to the church (called replacement theology). The problem is in issues like this, we are confused as to whom the laws were written, israel or the modern church.

"Not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and leat not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has recieved him."

"Who are you do judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls." (-Romans 14:1b-4a).

It is the same problem with holy day observation..

"One person esteems one day above another" (bithdays, christmas etc)

........another esteems every day alike." (-Jehovah's witnesses.)
v5

Paul say let each be persuaded in their own mind, because to their own master they rise or fall and Indeed he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. v4b


What are we to do? We are to love one another.

If a jewish man is at our home we don''t have ham sandwiches.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

It is relevant to note that some laws specifically say that they are for those living within the boundaries of the promised land, applying to Jew and alien alike but not to those in other nations.

 

[AngelusSax]

Because this guy named Jesus came and changed all the laws. I guess we dont have to follow G-d Laws anymore because Jesus say we should follow his "new" laws. For the Christians...this is my main reason for not believing in Christ. It's like a man came and changed all of G-d's Laws to make people worship him. Anyways if I am wrong...prove me right because I dont get it either.

NOTE: I am not trying to criticize Christianity or say it's a liar..I just dont get it.

The OT laws showed just how badly Christ was needed... for no one can follow them all and therefore live a sinless life.

So we place our trust in Christ to pay the debt of our sins with His blood. It's not simply giving us free reign to sin and sin again, but to sin, realize we goofed up, and not have to fear eternal damnation for it.

 

[sidhe]

Also, one must remember that in addition to concerning health, the kashrut laws were about making sure the Israelites didn't socialize too much with their pagan neighbors. Since food is the main basis of socialization, if you have a complex and strict set of dietary laws it makes it difficult to feast with another tribe that doesn't follow those same laws.

Or, in other words:

Caanaanites: "Hey, Israel...wanna come have a barbeque? We've got the pork!"
Israelites: "Ummm...no."

Since Christians are supposed to interact with all people, rather than be a people apart, it would only make sense that God would waive the dietary restrictions on Christians. It would have made it hard for Paul or Peter to preach to the Romans otherwise.

 

[Fire]

The Torah teaches the eating of kosher food (Rabbinical kosher is much fussier that liberal kosher; ie a cheeseburger is liberal kosher).
Jesus observed the Torah; therefore he ate kosher food.
Paul, as a Pharisee, should have observed the Torah. His performance of a Nazarite vow strongly suggests that he did.
Paul said: "Imitate me, as I imitate Christ". [1Cr 11:1]
Jesus said to obey the Pharisees; eg Paul.

My conclusion is that Christians should imitate Paul as he imitated the Messiah and therefore eat kosher food.

 

[tulc]

My conclusion is that Christians should imitate Paul as he imitated the Messiah and therefore eat kosher food.

Well if they want to they can. I just don't think it's a requirement though.
tulc(and I don't think Paul thought so either)

 

[rstrats]

tsai001,

re: "...there are laws saying that some cannot eat certain foods..."

I’m not aware of any scripture that says that. What do you use to make that statement?

 

[InspiredHome]

Acts 10

Peter's Vision

9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of fourfooted animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”



14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

21Peter went down and said to the men, “I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?” 22The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and Godfearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
----------------------------------

The laws of the OT were used to set apart the Hebrews from the area pagan nations, to teach them about the Holiness of God. Here, in the previous OT passage, God is again teaching Peter that nothing God created is unclean...that the Gentiles need the love of Christ as well. It's very well possible that the old OT laws were used as an example for the later Christians in understanding. (Think about the OT "Eye for an eye" and later when Jesus expands on that)

 

[Shy21]

Acts 10

Peter's Vision

9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of fourfooted animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”



14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

21Peter went down and said to the men, “I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?” 22The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and Godfearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
----------------------------------

The laws of the OT were used to set apart the Hebrews from the area pagan nations, to teach them about the Holiness of God. Here, in the previous OT passage, God is again teaching Peter that nothing God created is unclean...that the Gentiles need the love of Christ as well. It's very well possible that the old OT laws were used as an example for the later Christians in understanding. (Think about the OT "Eye for an eye" and later when Jesus expands on that)

OK since you seem to "understand" the dream and it was so easy to understand....tell me why Peter did not understand the dream?

17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision

That verse said Peter was still wondering about the dream. If it was that easy to understand Peter wouldnt have to wonder about it...now would he?? It seems you didnt even need to wonder or think about, right?

Anyways that dream was pertaining to people being clean and unclean not food. If you continue to read further in that chapter you will see that it actually say it was talking about people being clean and unclean. People have just classified that dream as meaning people and food because it showed a dream of animals.

 

[InspiredHome]

Yes, the dream was about people, the Gentiles. But God was making a point.

15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
--Through Jesus--

We are no longer held accountable under the OT law including the restrictions on "unclean" food. Otherwise, we'd have to be obeying every little directive. To me that would quite be a burden I would prefer to not have.

 

[-Frank-]

To burden yourself with part of the law is to say that you are under law. Those under law will be judged by it, and those will not inherit God's kingdom. The only law under Christ is love God (follow His Son).

 

[tulc]

[pong] Welcome Frank! Glad you found us! [/pong]

tulc(hope you have a blast here!)

 

[amy14]

1Timothy 4:3
For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.

 

[-Frank-]

[pong] Welcome Frank! Glad you found us! [/pong]

tulc(hope you have a blast here!)

Thank you. For those that say that to follow Christ is to abide by God's law has not read Paul's epistles very closely, nor His Own teachings which we are to follow. Christ only said that the law is just that: God's law. And no one can keep it. So He came to allow a different law to supercede the former such as the law of aerodynamics supercedes the law of gravity: grace.