Christians And Dietary Laws: What's The Verdict?

The dietary laws of Leviticus 11 are no longer binding on Christians today, but the New Testament does outline some general dietary restrictions for Christians, including abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and the meat of strangled animals. These restrictions are interpreted and applied differently by various Christian denominations, with some observing additional dietary restrictions during periods of fasting. While Christians are not bound by Jewish dietary laws, they are encouraged to exercise self-control and moderation in their eating habits and to prioritize love and unity over specific dietary practices.

The New Testament's dietary restrictions for Christians

The New Testament outlines some general dietary restrictions for Christians, which are specified in Acts 15:29:

> "Abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals".

However, Paul the Apostle told the Christians in Corinth not to worry about eating food sacrificed to idols, as "an idol has no real existence" (1 Corinthians 8:4). This was in contrast to the teachings of early Church Fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen, who preached that believers should follow the dietary restrictions.

The New Testament restrictions are in contrast to the Mosaic Law outlined in Leviticus 11, which includes prohibitions against eating pork, shrimp, shellfish, most seafood, insects, scavenger birds, and various other animals. These laws were given to the nation of Israel, and Jesus declared all foods clean when he died on the cross, fulfilling the Old Testament law.

Some Christian denominations continue to observe specific dietary restrictions. For example, the Seventh-day Adventist Church follows the Old Testament's Mosaic Law on dietary restrictions, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Church requires the washing of hands before and after consuming food.

The Old Testament's dietary laws for the Israelites

The dietary laws included prohibitions against eating pork, shrimp, shellfish, and many types of seafood, most insects, scavenger birds, and various other animals. The Israelites were allowed to eat animals that chewed the cud and had cloven hooves, such as cows. However, they were forbidden from eating animals like camels, rabbits, and pigs, which did not meet both criteria.

In terms of seafood, the Israelites were only permitted to eat fish with fins and scales, which excluded shellfish and certain types of fish like sharks and catfish. Insects were also subject to dietary restrictions, with most being considered unclean except for locusts and grasshoppers.

The purpose of these dietary laws was to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to reflect God's holiness. By following these restrictions, the Israelites demonstrated their obedience to God and their separation from pagan rituals and practices.

While these dietary laws are no longer binding on Christians today, they hold valuable lessons about God's character and expectations for His people.

The Council of Jerusalem's instructions for Gentile Christians

The Council of Jerusalem, also known as the Apostolic Council, was held in Jerusalem around 48-50 AD, 15-25 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. The council was convened to address concerns among Jewish believers regarding the increasing number of Gentiles turning to faith in Christ. The main issue under contention was whether Gentiles had to follow Mosaic Law and Jewish customs in order to be saved.

The Council of Jerusalem decided that Gentile Christians were not required to abide by most Mosaic Laws, including circumcision and Jewish dietary laws. However, they did establish four rules for Gentile Christians to follow, which were intended to promote harmony between Jewish and Gentile Christians:

• Abstain from food polluted by idols
• Abstain from sexual immorality
• Abstain from the meat of strangled animals
• Abstain from blood

These instructions were not presented as requirements for salvation but rather as guidelines to foster unity within the early Christian church. The council affirmed that salvation is attained through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone, regardless of one's ethnic background.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church's following of Mosaic Law

The Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes a wholesome, plant-based diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. This diet is based on the belief that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that taking care of one's physical and mental health is essential for glorifying God.

The church's dietary guidelines are influenced by the biblical Book of Leviticus, which outlines laws for clean and unclean animals. Clean animals, according to Leviticus, include mammals with divided or split hooves and those that chew cud, most birds, fish with fins and scales, and insects with four jointed jumping legs. On the other hand, unclean animals include mammals with divided hooves that do not chew cud, such as pigs, and mammals that chew cud but do not have divided hooves, like camels. Marine animals without fins and scales, birds of prey, and scavengers are also considered unclean.

Adventists believe that God authorized the consumption of certain meats after the Flood, but that these were not part of His original plan. They interpret the distinction between clean and unclean animals as based on sanitary principles, lowering the risk of diseases.

While the Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes a vegetarian or vegan diet, not all members follow it strictly. Those who choose to consume animal products adhere to the clean and unclean distinctions outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

In addition to dietary guidelines, Adventists also emphasize the importance of exercise, pure water, adequate sunlight, fresh air, rest, and spirituality for a holistic healthy lifestyle. They abstain from tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and mind-altering substances.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's food preparation rituals

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has strict food rituals and fasting requirements. Fasting and abstinence have historically been a major element of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's practice, with the church itself asserting that its fasting regime is the strictest of any church. Laypeople over the age of 13 are required to fast for at least 180 days a year, while monks and clergy fast for about 250 days a year. Fasting involves abstaining from animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs) and refraining from eating or drinking before 3 pm. During fasting periods, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians may also abstain from sexual activity and alcohol consumption.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church's food taboos are influenced by Jewish kosher practices. For example, the Ethiopian staple bread, injera, is unleavened, and Orthodox believers may not eat pork or meat from animals that do not have cloven hooves or chew their cud. In Addis Ababa, there is one Christian slaughterhouse and one Muslim slaughterhouse, each supplying respective butchers and restaurants. At the Christian slaughterhouse, an Orthodox priest blesses all the animals with a Trinitarian blessing, which is repeated in other large towns and cities. In rural areas, this task may be performed by senior male householders.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also has rituals for slaughtering meat, requiring that all meat be slaughtered by a Christian. Christian butcher shops are identified by a cross painted on the stall, while Muslim shops are identified by a crescent. During Lent, Christian butcher shops are usually closed, and Christian restaurants do not serve meat.

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