Anaya Nolan
The dietary laws outlined in Leviticus 11 are no longer binding for Christians, as Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). However, some Christian denominations continue to observe certain dietary restrictions, such as abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and meat from strangled animals. These restrictions are based on interpretations of the New Testament and vary across denominations. For example, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Orthodox Christians traditionally observe meat-free days on Fridays and during Lent, while Adventists follow the Mosaic Law dietary restrictions from the Old Testament. Ultimately, Christian dietary laws are influenced by denominational interpretations of biblical teachings and vary accordingly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary laws that still apply to Christians | Abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals |
| Abstain from drinking the blood of any animal | |
| Abstain from eating animals that chew the cud or have a split hoof but not both (e.g. pigs, camels, and rabbits) | |
| Abstain from eating sea creatures that do not have fins and scales (e.g. crustaceans and shellfish) | |
| Abstain from eating birds that eat flesh or carrion (e.g. crows, raptors, and sea gulls) | |
| Abstain from eating most winged insects except those that swarm and jump | |
| Dietary laws that do not apply to Christians | Christians are not bound by Jewish dietary restrictions |
| Christians are allowed to eat meat |
What You'll Learn
The New Testament's dietary restrictions for Christians
The New Testament outlines only a few dietary restrictions for Christians. These include abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and the meat of strangled animals (Acts 15:29). However, Paul the Apostle advised Christians in Corinth not to worry about consuming food sacrificed to idols, as "an idol has no real existence" (1 Corinthians 8:4).
The New Testament dietary laws are less restrictive than those of the Old Testament, which included prohibitions against eating pork, shrimp, shellfish, most seafood, insects, scavenger birds, and certain other animals (Leviticus 11). These Old Testament dietary laws were given specifically to the nation of Israel, and Jesus later declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19).
Some Christian denominations have additional dietary restrictions during fasting periods, such as abstaining from meat, fish, dairy, and olive oil. Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Orthodox Christians traditionally observe Fridays as meat-free days and may also fast on Wednesdays. Many Christian denominations discourage or prohibit alcohol consumption, and all Christian churches condemn drunkenness.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an exception to the general Christian leniency on dietary restrictions, as they follow the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, which is also the basis for Jewish dietary laws.
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The Mosaic Law and its relevance to Christians
The Mosaic Law refers to the laws given by Moses in the first five books of the Bible, which include dietary restrictions. These restrictions include prohibitions on eating animals that do not both chew the cud and have cloven hooves (such as pigs and camels), seafood without fins and scales, birds of prey, and most insects. These laws were given specifically to the Israelites, to set them apart from other nations.
The New Testament clarifies that these dietary laws are no longer binding for Christians (Mark 7:19; Acts 10). Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and God gave the apostle Peter a vision implying that formerly unclean animals could be eaten (Acts 10:9-16). When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the Old Testament law, including the Mosaic dietary laws (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:15).
However, this does not mean that there are no restrictions for Christians. The New Testament instructs Christians to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and the meat of strangled animals (Acts 15:29). Additionally, Christians are to be mindful of their conduct and the impact it may have on others. If eating certain foods may offend someone or cause them to stumble in their faith, Christians are to refrain from doing so (Romans 14:1-23).
Different Christian denominations may have varying interpretations and applications of these principles, resulting in different dietary practices. For example, the Seventh-day Adventist Church follows the Mosaic Law's dietary restrictions, while other denominations, such as Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, have no dietary restrictions regarding specific animals.
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The theological question: What does this passage teach us about God?
The passage in Leviticus 11 teaches us about the holiness of God. The holiness of God refers to His separateness and otherness from His creation. He is the Creator and King of the universe, with no rivals or competitors. This holiness is also reflected in His moral perfection, purity, and righteousness. God calls His people to reflect this holiness in their lives, including their dietary choices.
The Israelites were instructed to follow specific dietary restrictions, such as avoiding certain animals, seafood, birds, and insects, to set them apart from other nations and demonstrate their covenant relationship with God. These restrictions were not just about physical health but also about spiritual holiness and obedience to God's commands.
The theological truth emphasized in Leviticus 11 is that God is holy, and He requires His people to be holy as well. This holiness includes consecrating themselves and separating themselves from moral impurity and ceremonial defilement. Their diet was a reflection of their commitment to God and set them apart from the pagan nations around them.
In the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19) and fulfilled the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:15). Christians are no longer bound by the specific dietary restrictions of Leviticus 11 but are called to reflect God's holiness in their conduct and outward words and deeds.
The passage in Leviticus 11, along with other biblical teachings, reveals God's holiness and His desire for His people to be set apart and distinct from the world. It teaches us about God's character, His expectations for His people, and the importance of holiness in our relationship with Him.
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The practical question: How should the truth about God impact our lives?
The truth about God revealed in Leviticus 11 has several practical implications for how we ought to live as Christians. Firstly, it underscores the importance of holiness and our call to reflect God's holiness in our conduct and daily lives. This includes not only our outward words and deeds but also the inner thoughts and intentions that drive them.
Secondly, it reminds us of the wonder of the gospel and the redemptive work of Christ. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Christ fulfilled the Old Testament law, including the dietary laws, and made a way for both Jews and Gentiles to be cleansed and forgiven through faith in Him. This truth should impact how we relate to others, especially those from different cultural and religious backgrounds.
Thirdly, the truth about God's holiness and our call to reflect that holiness should lead us to examine our own lives and ask whether there are areas where we need to consecrate ourselves and separate from things that are displeasing to God. This could include not only our dietary choices but also our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
Finally, the practical question reminds us that while dietary laws may no longer be binding on Christians today, the principle of holiness remains. As such, we should be mindful of how our dietary choices may impact others and avoid causing offence or stumbling blocks for our fellow believers, especially when it comes to consuming food that has been dedicated to idols or other gods.
In conclusion, the truth about God's holiness and our call to reflect that holiness should impact every area of our lives, including our conduct, our thoughts, and our relationships with others. As Christians, we are called to live holy lives that honour God and reflect His character to the world around us.
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The distinction between holiness and abomination
Holiness
The Hebrew word for holiness is "qōdes", which highlights the sacred in contrast to the common and profane. God is referred to as the "Holy One of Israel", and anything that belongs to Him is considered holy. This includes time, space, objects, and people. For example, the temple in Jerusalem was considered holy space, and the Israelites were called God's holy people.
In the New Testament, Jesus is called "the Holy One of God", and believers who acclaim Him as Lord are called "hagioi", or saints. Through our relationship with Jesus, we are set apart and made holy, enabling us to stand in God's presence.
Abomination
The term "abomination" is used 212 times in the Bible, often to describe acts of sin and evil that show extreme disrespect and dishonor to God. These include idolatry, incest, and homosexual behavior. Abomination is considered a grave transgression, requiring more than simple penance and restitution for absolution.
While some abominations are still considered evil today, such as the worship of idols, modern-day Christians may not strictly adhere to all the dietary and cultic abominations outlined in the Old Testament. Instead, the focus is on the spirit of the Law and on cultivating a loving relationship with God. Any behavior that does not express love for God and others is considered an abomination.
The Distinction
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Frequently asked questions
No, Christians are not bound by the dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11. Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19) and fulfilled the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24-26; Ephesians 2:15). However, Christians are instructed to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and meat from strangled animals (Acts 15:29).
The Old Testament dietary laws outlined in Leviticus 11 include prohibitions against eating pork, shrimp, shellfish, most seafood, insects, scavenger birds, and various other animals. These laws were given to the Israelites to make them distinct from other nations.
The Old Testament dietary laws were given specifically to the Israelites as a sign that they were different from the surrounding nations. These laws may also have had health benefits, especially in ancient times.
