WHY DO A LOT OF CHRISTIANS EAT PORK, BACON, AND HAM, WHEN GOD FORBADE EATING SWINE MEAT?

[ThereRoseaLamb]

As God gave us all the laws for our benefit, even though we are free from the law it is good to go back and look at them. There's a lot of good sense there. It's good to look at WHY God said to do these things.

Farmers, don't plow right up to the edge of the stream. And be sure to let the land rest every so often. (Many years later our agriculture department figured out why.)

If you're sick, stay away from other people so you won't make them sick too. Sharing is NOT always caring. (And modern medical science agrees.)

There's lots of other things God told the Isrealites to do, that later our science figured out was actually a pretty good idea. Even the part about burying their poop had a good reason. Of course some of those things were obviated by modern inventions like thermometers and indoor plumbing.

Next time someone asks you why we eat pigs, ask him why he doesn't go outside and bury his poop.

My German Shepard would be sooo confused...

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

@HealthAndHappiness : Thanks for this great reply, bro!

Here's one passage that came to mind as I started lunch just now and was chewing on this topic. Maybe I missed this one and it might have already been posted.

1 Timothy 4

"1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. "

I was brought up in a Roman Catholic home as a child. We had the tradition of eating seafood on Fridays. It went back to a tradition held before the last Catholic council changed it to allow eating of meats on Fridays. I guess they didn't consider seafood as a meat.

Then there are the kosher codes that some Orthodox Jewish Rabbis teach.

When I trusted Christian as my Savior and started reading the Bible, this passage and Hebrews, concerning the priesthood who were forbidden to marry, was impressed upon me. I realized that I was taught wrong and repented of those beliefs.

 

[Gojira]

Has anyone got any ideas about this?

There's a difference between the moral law, which we are still bound to, and the ceremonial law.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Here's one passage that came to mind as I started lunch just now and was chewing on this topic. Maybe I missed this one and it might have already been posted.

1 Timothy 4

"1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. "

I was brought up in a Roman Catholic home as a child. We had the tradition of eating seafood on Fridays. It went back to a tradition held before the last Catholic council changed it to allow eating of meats on Fridays. I guess they didn't consider seafood as a meat.

Then there are the kosher codes that some Orthodox Jewish Rabbis teach.

When I trusted Christian (CHRIST)as my Savior and started reading the Bible, this passage and Hebrews, concerning the priesthood who were forbidden to marry, was impressed upon me. I realized that I was taught wrong and repented of those beliefs.

Correction of "spell check/ auto correct".

EVERY time I spell Christ, the system doesn't like Him and changes it to "Christian."
If I miss the change as I keep typing and don't proofread carefully, it says what is in the last post.

 

[p_rehbein]

Yes, but aren't we going against God's Word, in the Old Testament, by eating Swine meat?

You are attempting to make the Church accountable to the Laws God gave to the Jews under the 1st Covenant. We live under the New Covenant, Grace. Jesus fulfilled the Law!

Now, IF you are a practicing Jew, and still trying to live under the Law of the 1st Covenant, then you need to be obedient to the Scripture you are asking about.

 

[OLDMANBORNAGAIN]

You are attempting to make the Church accountable to the Laws God gave to the Jews under the 1st Covenant. We live under the New Covenant, Grace. Jesus fulfilled the Law!

Now, IF you are a practicing Jew, and still trying to live under the Law of the 1st Covenant, then you need to be obedient to the Scripture you are asking about.

@p_rehbein : Good answer, brother! I see what you mean.

 

[ResidentAlien]

WHY DO A LOT OF CHRISTIANS EAT PORK, BACON, AND HAM, WHEN GOD FORBADE EATING SWINE MEAT?

I guess my question would be: Why shouldn't we? Is there a teaching somewhere in the New Testament that says it's not okay? The only prohibition for Christians on eating certain foods is if there's a brother or sister present who has a weak conscience about eating a particular food; or if someone specifically tells you the food has been sacrificed to an idol. In either of these cases we should abstain; otherwise, simply eating any food isn't a sin.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Has anyone got any ideas about this?

Because it tastes good, and we're not under the law.

 

[Lanolin]

As long as it hasnt been strangled it should be ok or sacrificed to an idol (NT)

Also, give thanks for your food.

Why God didnt want his chosen nation to eat pork/swine/pigs? I think for health reasons most probably he didnt want them to get fat and it was probably easier to raise sheep and lamb in the Middle east. And chickens.

It was probably also a mercy to other nations who COULD eat those foods so that there would be enough to go round. That means they werent fighting each other over pork pies.

 

[jb]

Yes, but aren't we going against God's Word, in the Old Testament, by eating Swine meat?

The answer is in your question, dear boy!

The OT food laws are an OT direction, and therefore not relevant for Christians!

 

[hornetguy]

Direct scripture explanation.... Acts 10

10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

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

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

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

While this was to teach Peter that the Gentiles were acceptable to God, it also teaches the principle that the OLD laws were no longer in effect for believers. Anything that God made is NOT unclean. The only thing that binds us is our own conscience. If you think it's wrong to eat pork, then for YOU it is wrong.
So many scriptures in the NT show this principle....

 

[Karlon]

@Magenta : Good reply, sister, but God said in the Old Testament that we're not allowed to eat Swine meat: so is there somewhere else in the Bible, that says it's all right to eat this particular type of meat?

yes, 1st Timothy 4:4- "for every creature of God is good, & nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving". the "meat" subject was o.t., not the n.t.

 

[Lynx]

yes, 1st Timothy 4:4- "for every creature of God is good, & nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving". the "meat" subject was o.t., not the n.t.

With Thanksgiving... So it IS okay to have a big honey-baked ham on the last Thursday of November.

 

[gb9]

With Thanksgiving... So it IS okay to have a big honey-baked ham on the last Thursday of November.

^ if you can afford one.

they are good, but a bit pricy..

 

[Beckie]

Direct scripture explanation.... Acts 10

10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

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

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

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

While this was to teach Peter that the Gentiles were acceptable to God, it also teaches the principle that the OLD laws were no longer in effect for believers. Anything that God made is NOT unclean. The only thing that binds us is our own conscience. If you think it's wrong to eat pork, then for YOU it is wrong.
So many scriptures in the NT show this principle....

worth the repeat

 

[Cameron143]

^ if you can afford one.

they are good, but a bit pricy..

Ham prices are usually down at Thanksgiving because so many buying turkeys. No one in my family likes turkey, so we've had ham for years. We started mixing in sushi and egg rolls and wings as well.

 

[brighthouse98]

Romans 14:20 answers this directly!! ALL MEAT IS CLEAN! Now I had a brother who believed it was not right to eat meat and when he came over for lunch, I did not serve it. The Word says not to offend a person who has not the faith to eat meat, but as you see by this scripture and please do read around this as well, this is explained very well. Blessing!

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Romans 14:20 answers this directly!! ALL MEAT IS CLEAN! Now I had a brother who believed it was not right to eat meat and when he came over for lunch, I did not serve it. The Word says not to offend a person who has not the faith to eat meat, but as you see by this scripture and please do read around this as well, this is explained very well. Blessing!

I once upset a vegetarian buddy who eats fish. I ordered anchovies on our pizza.
😆

 

[Lynx]

Ham prices are usually down at Thanksgiving because so many buying turkeys. No one in my family likes turkey, so we've had ham for years. We started mixing in sushi and egg rolls and wings as well.

Interesting Thanksgiving dinner. But I'd attend.

Some are allergic to new ideas though. Just yesterday aunt Lucy walked in and saw Grandma eating chicken and dressing for breakfast. The sounds Lucy made, you'd think I had just hit her toe with a hammer...

 

[Gideon300]

Has anyone got any ideas about this?

The Law applies to Old Testament Jews. If people would bother to read their Bibles, they would know that the distinction between "clean and "unclean" has been removed. Acts 10:9-16, Colossians 2:16