There are a number of Bible verses that many Christians use to "support" their meat eating (including Biblical "unclean"
meat), and which they use against the health message. Let's examine the verses in question.
1. Matthew 15:11 ...'Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.'
If we simply take the whole chapter in context, it can be easily seen that what Jesus is talking about is the Pharisees rules on eating
with unwashed hands. And although Jesus is not saying that eating with dirty hands is ok. He is merely pointing out that
the Pharisees placed more importance on these ritual rules than they did on love. So Jesus is teaching a "heart" issue, in that
what comes from the heart is that which really makes a person "evil", not what goes into the stomach.
2. Acts 10:10-13 ...'And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And
saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth: 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.'
This is such a well known misunderstood piece of scripture that many Christians use to "validate" their eating of unclean animals.
And yet the meaning of the vision is clearly given within the context. Now let's say that the vision DID mean we can now eat anything.
Shall we now start eating dogs, cats, rats, horses and such like? Do Christians eat such things? Of course not. And yet they use
this verse to support their eating of pigs and other Biblically unclean flesh. Peter even said himself after the vision ... 'Not so,
Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.' ... He was shocked and troubled by this vision. Why? Because
he couldn't believe that God would now pronounce all unclean animals and insects as ok to eat.
So what does this vision REALLY mean? ... Acts 10:28,34,35 ...'And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for
a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any MAN common
or unclean ... Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he
that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.'
Through this vision, God was basically showing Peter that ALL PEOPLE who fear God and do His will are accepted ("clean"). So why
did God use a vision to do with eating? Maybe because as verse 10 says, Peter was very hungry before he had the vision. Also in the vision,
God spoke THREE times, saying that what He had cleansed, Peter should not call common. Why THREE times? Because THREE NON-JEWS then
came to see Peter to take him to Cornelius.
3. 1 Timothy 4:4 ...'For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.'
Again, if we read in context, we can see that in verses 1-3 it says ... 'in the latter times some shall depart from the faith ...
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron ... Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats.' ...
Some say that this is speaking about the Adventist church. But note, Paul is saying that these "individuals" teaching to abstain
from meats also teach not to marry. The Adventist church does not forbid marriage, but rather promotes marriage between a man
and woman. On the other hand, the Roman Catholic church does forbid
eating foods on certain holiday celebrations and forbids marriage through it's institutions of the nuns and priests.
Please also notice this important point ... The word "meats" in verse 3 simply means FOOD. When the Bible is talking
about animal meat, it says "flesh". But when talking about non-flesh food, it uses the word "meat". For example,
in Genesis 1:29 God tells Adam and Eve what He has created for them to eat ... 'every herb bearing seed and the fruit of the tree
yielding seed'. And what does God call this food in Genesis 1:29? MEAT. So going back to verse 3 of Timothy above, what
"meat" has God CREATED to be received with thanksgiving? Food of the earth. Because God did NOT create animals to be killed
and eaten. That was not His plan.
Also, did you notice that in verse 4 it says 'every CREATURE of God is good.'? The word Creature simply means "thing
founded" or "created thing". So if "creature" in this verse means anything other than natural products of the
earth which God created for us to eat, then people will HAVE to include every crawling thing upon the face of the earth .. INCLUDING HUMANS!
So, is it ok to eat rats, spiders, dogs, cats, and people? Is cannibalism now approved? After all, Mark 16:15 says ... 'Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'
The only logical conclusion is that Paul is talking about those who would forbid the eating of foods that God originally created for our diet.
1 Timothy 4:5...'For it is sanctified by the word of God AND prayer.'
How is food sanctified (made holy for us to eat)? NOT just by prayer which many Christians seem to believe. But rather by the Word of God
AND prayer. Now, where in the Bible is unclean meat like pig, camel, mice, bats, eagle sanctified? Where?!
4. Romans 14:2-3 ...'For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not
him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.'
Now let's look at what Paul said in chapter 12:1 ...'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.' ... Do you really think that Paul would plead with
us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and then turn around and suggest that eating anything, even those things that
HARM our bodies is ok? I don't think so. Again, if Paul IS suggesting that eating all things is ok, then you must include
ALL THINGS, dogs, cats, rats, horses, etc. Would this be acceptable to God? No way! So what is Paul saying above in chapter 14?
The context of the point Paul is putting across is to do with "those who are weak in the faith". That is, one who has but a
limited grasp of the principles of righteousness. He is eager to be saved and is willing to do whatever he believes is required of him.
But in the immaturity of his Christian experience and probably also as the result of former education and
belief, he attempts to make his salvation more certain by the observance of certain rules and regulations (ceremonial laws) that are in reality not
binding upon him. To him these regulations assume great importance. He regards them as absolutely binding upon him for salvation, and
he is distressed and confused when he sees other Christians about him, especially those who seem to be more experienced, who do not
share his assumptions.
In Corinthians the problem is identified in the practice of eating foods sacrificed to idols. According to the ancient practice, pagan
priests carried on an extensive merchandise of the animal sacrifices offered to idols. Paul told the Corinthian believers, which were converts
from both Judaism and Paganism that inasmuch as an idol was nothing, there was no wrong, so to speak, in eating foods dedicated to it.
However, he explains, because there were some who were beginners in the faith and still fairly weak,
and could not with a free conscience eat such foods, Paul urged those who were stronger in the faith
not to place a stumbling block in a brother's way by indulging in those foods. And Probably for fear of offending in this matter some
Christians abstained from flesh foods (Biblically clean meat) entirely, which means that their food was restricted to "herbs",
that is, vegetables.
So what is meant by "all things"? All things that are sanctified (pronounced clean, as per Levitical laws) by the
Word of God. Does the Word of God pronounce dogs, cats, pigs and wild beasts as clean to eat? No.
If people would only take the WHOLE of God's Word in context, they would see the clear truth of the matter. God is trying to draw men back
to the original plan in the Garden of Eden. And He wants a people in the last days who are living according to that original plan. This is the
message of the three angels of Revelation 14. A message of turning away from the world and Babylon's deceptions, and returning back to God.
The messages point us to our Creator. And how were we made? We were made in the image of God. So should we act and live in the image of God.
This is the health message. Please bring glory to God in all you do.