PORK
In the Old Testament, there is a long list of birds, fish, and other animals that were “unclean” for Israel. When Israel obeyed these commands, it not only pointed to them as being a distinct people, but would have helped in controlling diseases. However, in the New Testament we are told that Christ made clean “all manner of fourfooted beasts” (Acts 10:12–16), and “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). Some have used three passages in the book of Isaiah where “swine” was linked to the word “abomination,” believing that therefore it would still be wrong for us to eat of their flesh. But the context of these passages was for religious offerings which would be an abomination. In Isaiah 65:3–4 it says, “sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense,” and in Isaiah 66:3 it says, “he that offereth an oblation,” and in Isaiah 66:17 it says, “sanctify themselves” and “purify themselves.”
Someone may decide to stop eating pork or other animals for health reasons, but not because of spiritual reasons. “Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:12–15). “Meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ” (1Timothy 4:3–6, see VEGETARIAN).
In the Old Testament, there is a long list of birds, fish, and other animals that were “unclean” for Israel. When Israel obeyed these commands, it not only pointed to them as being a distinct people, but would have helped in controlling diseases. However, in the New Testament we are told that Christ made clean “all manner of fourfooted beasts” (Acts 10:12–16), and “every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). Some have used three passages in the book of Isaiah where “swine” was linked to the word “abomination,” believing that therefore it would still be wrong for us to eat of their flesh. But the context of these passages was for religious offerings which would be an abomination. In Isaiah 65:3–4 it says, “sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense,” and in Isaiah 66:3 it says, “he that offereth an oblation,” and in Isaiah 66:17 it says, “sanctify themselves” and “purify themselves.”
Someone may decide to stop eating pork or other animals for health reasons, but not because of spiritual reasons. “Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:12–15). “Meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ” (1Timothy 4:3–6, see VEGETARIAN).