How do Adventists explain these verses on unclean/clean food?

[Landcruiser]

Hello, I would like to know what you guys think of these verses and how you interpret them when it comes to unclean foods such as pork.

Mark 7:18-19 NIV
"Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)"

Acts 10:15 NIV
"The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”"

Romans 14:20 NIV "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble."

 

[Chief]

Mark 7:18-19 NIV
"Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)"

In my understanding, Jesus spoke as he did to rebuke those who were murmuring that the disciples ate without washing their hands. Hand washing was a serious ritual; touching and eating food with unwashed hands would render one unclean according to the tradition. Please remember that in the setting of this story, the Pharisees, like Jesus, ate clean meats but criticised Jesus for not following their ritual handwashing. Jesus explained that food doesn't defile a person because it doesn't enter the heart. What was unclean remained unclean and unfit for consumption. There was no debate about that. Jesus emphasised that spiritual cleanliness of thoughts is more crucial than handwashing (Mark 7:20-23).

I did some digging on this verse and realized that the Greek text for this verse does not contain the words in the parenthesis presented in NIV. I sometimes do this ever since I realized that NIV has omitted some fundamental verses as well.

Acts 10:15 NIV
"The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”"

In this vision, God instructs Peter to accept Gentiles and baptize them into the faith because God has accepted them. We see how Peter contends with God in this vision as he has never eaten anything unclean and common. The Jews considered the Gentiles unclean and so God impresses upon Peter that he should not maintain this thought because He had accepted the gentiles. This verse is really about people and not food. In Peter's own words, "God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean" Acts 10:28.

Romans 14:20 NIV "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble."

Romans 14 is often misinterpreted as retracting God's law on clean and unclean animals, but this lacks biblical foundation. The chapter primarily addresses the issue of meat sacrificed to idols (isn't it interesting how even the pagans did not sacrifice unclean animals to their idols?). Romans 14:21 highlights the issue of idol-offered meat and wine, common in Roman times, which would be eaten afterwards, sometimes even sold in the market. Early Christians faced a dilemma about consuming such meats, especially those formerly idol worshipers. Paul's teaching in Romans 14 suggests believers should follow their conscience on eating such meat, with the understanding "whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). Thus, Romans 14 is about Christian liberty within God's laws concerning idolatry, not about permitting unclean meats.

According to me, moderation is essential in the life of a Christian. When God gave distinction between clean and unclean meats, we did not have scientific evidence to associate such foods with the debilitating effects they would have on our health. We believed that they were unacceptable. Today, we have the blessing of research that has overwhelmingly revealed the dangers of eating certain foods. Pork is especially laden with dangerous parasites. For the sake of health (including mental health), it would be a good idea to steer clear of certain foods.

What you eat affects how you think and behave (Isaiah 7:15). This biblical principle is supported by research. Eating debilitating foods will only lead to debilitating health, thoughts and behaviours, which unfortunately do not glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31-33). Be considerate and be temperate so that you can eat and drink for health, strength and to the glory of God (3 John 1:2).

 

[adamjedgar]

Acts 10:15 NIV
"The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”"

I would make the theological claim that Acts 10 actually falsifies the O.P rather than supports it.

If God, (Jehovah, Yahweh) gave specific instructions to the Israelites in the old testament concerning unclean meat, how does the O.P explain that not all modern day Christians believe Christ was Jehovah? (ie JW's). If one is to present the writings of new testament authors who regurgitated Christs words, and that Christ isnt Almighty God...

... to what New Testament biblical passage, that does not reference Christs ministry, do Arians such as JW's refer in order to support your claim?

Arianism, Christian heresy that declared that Christ is not truly divine but a created being. According to the Alexandrian presbyter Arius (4th century), God alone is immutable and self-existent, and the Son is not God but a creature with a beginning https://www.britannica.com/summary/Arianism

btw it does not matter that Arianism is heresy according to Niceane creed...the point is its a New Testament Christian driven doctrine...so that presents a signficant dilemma to this New Testament doctrine that there are no unclean foods because Arians believe Christ was a created being. Given Christ regularly read from Old Testament scriptures...its quite obvious his words do not supercede the Old Testament direction God gave Moses!

What Christ did reguarly claim when speaking during his ministry is that his being here was the fulfillment of those Old Testament prophecies. The interesting thing is, most churches get this completely wrong in that they believe his crucifixion completed the Old Testament prophetic process. The trouble is, in the Old Testament Tabernacle model, where is the altar of Sacrifice...at the entry/beginning or the end/Most Holy Place?

Clearly the altar is at the start.

That tells us that Christs death is the beginning of the process of salvation and that what came after it in the Sanctuary Service is after the cross...so Christs statement "it is finished" cannot possibly refer to the notion that the 10 commandments and keeping of the Sabbath are done. The completion of the sanctuary process is the laying on of the priests hands onto Azazeels goat whereupon it is cast out of the camp. That clearly hasnt happened in history yet...so this means that the Old Testament Sanctuary service is still being played out in the plan of salvation today...it isnt finished. So The commands God gave to Moses are still valid except we do not need to offer the ritual of the blood of sheep and goats....Christ fulfilled that part of the Sanctuary Service prophecy.

 

[Landcruiser]

In my understanding, Jesus spoke as he did to rebuke those who were murmuring that the disciples ate without washing their hands. Hand washing was a serious ritual; touching and eating food with unwashed hands would render one unclean according to the tradition. Please remember that in the setting of this story, the Pharisees, like Jesus, ate clean meats but criticised Jesus for not following their ritual handwashing. Jesus explained that food doesn't defile a person because it doesn't enter the heart. What was unclean remained unclean and unfit for consumption. There was no debate about that. Jesus emphasised that spiritual cleanliness of thoughts is more crucial than handwashing (Mark 7:20-23).

I did some digging on this verse and realized that the Greek text for this verse does not contain the words in the parenthesis presented in NIV. I sometimes do this ever since I realized that NIV has omitted some fundamental verses as well.


In this vision, God instructs Peter to accept Gentiles and baptize them into the faith because God has accepted them. We see how Peter contends with God in this vision as he has never eaten anything unclean and common. The Jews considered the Gentiles unclean and so God impresses upon Peter that he should not maintain this thought because He had accepted the gentiles. This verse is really about people and not food. In Peter's own words, "God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean" Acts 10:28.


Romans 14 is often misinterpreted as retracting God's law on clean and unclean animals, but this lacks biblical foundation. The chapter primarily addresses the issue of meat sacrificed to idols (isn't it interesting how even the pagans did not sacrifice unclean animals to their idols?). Romans 14:21 highlights the issue of idol-offered meat and wine, common in Roman times, which would be eaten afterwards, sometimes even sold in the market. Early Christians faced a dilemma about consuming such meats, especially those formerly idol worshipers. Paul's teaching in Romans 14 suggests believers should follow their conscience on eating such meat, with the understanding "whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). Thus, Romans 14 is about Christian liberty within God's laws concerning idolatry, not about permitting unclean meats.

According to me, moderation is essential in the life of a Christian. When God gave distinction between clean and unclean meats, we did not have scientific evidence to associate such foods with the debilitating effects they would have on our health. We believed that they were unacceptable. Today, we have the blessing of research that has overwhelmingly revealed the dangers of eating certain foods. Pork is especially laden with dangerous parasites. For the sake of health (including mental health), it would be a good idea to steer clear of certain foods.

What you eat affects how you think and behave (Isaiah 7:15). This biblical principle is supported by research. Eating debilitating foods will only lead to debilitating health, thoughts and behaviours, which unfortunately do not glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31-33). Be considerate and be temperate so that you can eat and drink for health, strength and to the glory of God (3 John 1:2).

Thank you for the detailed reply, but how do you know that Paul is talking about idolatry? It's my first time hearing there was an idol-offered meat and wine dilemma that christians faced. Is there anything where I can further read on this?

 

[Landcruiser]

An

In my understanding, Jesus spoke as he did to rebuke those who were murmuring that the disciples ate without washing their hands. Hand washing was a serious ritual; touching and eating food with unwashed hands would render one unclean according to the tradition. Please remember that in the setting of this story, the Pharisees, like Jesus, ate clean meats but criticised Jesus for not following their ritual handwashing. Jesus explained that food doesn't defile a person because it doesn't enter the heart. What was unclean remained unclean and unfit for consumption. There was no debate about that. Jesus emphasised that spiritual cleanliness of thoughts is more crucial than handwashing (Mark 7:20-23).

I did some digging on this verse and realized that the Greek text for this verse does not contain the words in the parenthesis presented in NIV. I sometimes do this ever since I realized that NIV has omitted some fundamental verses as well.


In this vision, God instructs Peter to accept Gentiles and baptize them into the faith because God has accepted them. We see how Peter contends with God in this vision as he has never eaten anything unclean and common. The Jews considered the Gentiles unclean and so God impresses upon Peter that he should not maintain this thought because He had accepted the gentiles. This verse is really about people and not food. In Peter's own words, "God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean" Acts 10:28.


Romans 14 is often misinterpreted as retracting God's law on clean and unclean animals, but this lacks biblical foundation. The chapter primarily addresses the issue of meat sacrificed to idols (isn't it interesting how even the pagans did not sacrifice unclean animals to their idols?). Romans 14:21 highlights the issue of idol-offered meat and wine, common in Roman times, which would be eaten afterwards, sometimes even sold in the market. Early Christians faced a dilemma about consuming such meats, especially those formerly idol worshipers. Paul's teaching in Romans 14 suggests believers should follow their conscience on eating such meat, with the understanding "whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). Thus, Romans 14 is about Christian liberty within God's laws concerning idolatry, not about permitting unclean meats.

According to me, moderation is essential in the life of a Christian. When God gave distinction between clean and unclean meats, we did not have scientific evidence to associate such foods with the debilitating effects they would have on our health. We believed that they were unacceptable. Today, we have the blessing of research that has overwhelmingly revealed the dangers of eating certain foods. Pork is especially laden with dangerous parasites. For the sake of health (including mental health), it would be a good idea to steer clear of certain foods.

What you eat affects how you think and behave (Isaiah 7:15). This biblical principle is supported by research. Eating debilitating foods will only lead to debilitating health, thoughts and behaviours, which unfortunately do not glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31-33). Be considerate and be temperate so that you can eat and drink for health, strength and to the glory of God (3 John 1:2).

And how would you reply to Acts 15 which says that its only necessary to abstain from meat offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled and from fornication?

 

[Chief]

Thank you for the detailed reply, but how do you know that Paul is talking about idolatry? It's my first time hearing there was an idol-offered meat and wine dilemma that christians faced. Is there anything where I can further read on this?

I premise my response on the context of 1 Corinthians 8, 1 Corinthians 10, and Romans 14. These scriptures examine apostle Paul’s guidance regarding eating food sacrificed to idols, focusing on maintaining respect for the consciences of others.

The setting of 1 Corinthians is around 55 AD. Ancient Corinth was located about 50 miles Southwest of Athens and had many idol temples; including those dedicated to Aphrodite, Poseidon, Apollo, Ísis, Deméter. In the era of Nero’s Roman Empire, where pagan practices were rampant, early Christians faced dilemmas with idolatrous practices that pervaded society.

The Bible warns against idolatry (Exodus 20:1-6; Psalms 16:4), a command often ignored by ancient Israelites who engaged in idolatrous rites, such as offerings to Baal (Numbers 25:1-3) and drinking blood offerings to pagan gods (Ezekiel 33:25). Israelites were sacrificing to idols at altars with temple prostitutes (Hosea 4:12-14). These practices persisted into the Roman Empire, where many gentiles converting to Christianity brought their own idolatrous customs. Remember when the priest of Zeus wanted to sacrifice oxen in honor of Paul and Barnabas as if they were gods? (Acts 14: 11-15).

There is a book by John Fotopoulos, "Food Offered to Idols in Roman Corinth", which you can read for more information on how these practices were carried out.

And how would you reply to Acts 15 which says that its only necessary to abstain from meat offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled and from fornication?

The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 sent out decrees urging abstention from food sacrificed to idols, blood, strangled animals, and sexual immorality, customs prevalent in the Roman Empire and impacting early Gentile Christians. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 8, advises that while idols are not real gods, believers must be cautious that their freedom does not lead others into sin, particularly those with weak consciences/faith. He stresses that the idol itself holds no real power, but for the sake of others, one should be careful not to offend.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul reemphasizes the need to "flee from idolatry" and distinguishes between partaking in a pagan ceremony versus eating meat in a neutral setting, such as one's home or another's. He stresses doing everything to the glory of God, without giving offense to Jews, Greeks, or the church of God.

Romans 14 addresses these issues within the context of Christian liberty and conscience, particularly among Jewish Christians returning to Rome after exile. Here, Paul emphasizes not judging others for their dietary choices, related to concerns over meat possibly sacrificed to idols. He advocates for respecting individuals’ consciences, urging that actions should be motivated by love, not causing others to stumble or lose faith.

Paul’s teachings highlight the importance of understanding individual convictions and refraining from creating stumbling blocks for others, whether concerning idolatry or broader issues. His advice is relevant today, extending to situations that might affect a brother or sister’s conscience/faith, like certain holidays or avoiding wine in the presence of a recovering alcoholic. Ultimately, we are to act in love and consideration, guided by the Holy Spirit and scripture, to prevent offense and support each other's faith journey.

Read more about meat offered to idols in today's context.