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Almost every living animal
is looked upon by at least one of this world's cultures as a
food source. What one culture may consider as disgusting,
another calls a delicacy. Are all animals fit for
human consumption? Or are some actually inedible
poisonous time bombs? How can we know? Believe it or not,
the pages of the Bible reveal the answers to these
questions.
Anyone who has spent much
time around a baby will know that these little humans will
stick anything (if it will fit) into their mouths and try to
eat it. A cartoonist once depicted a couple with their
toddler telling the doctor something like, "He's eating
solids now—coins, paper clips, pencils, rocks, etc."
Many adults outgrow very little of this childish tendency.
"You are what you
eat," it has been wisely said. When you consume good,
nutritious food in proper amounts, your body will receive
the vitamins, minerals, and other necessary elements to
promote good health. On the other hand, eating junk and/or
other poisonous "foods" fouls up and eventually
can destroy the complex, intricate, and wonderful creation
each human being is.
Poison
Vs. Food
Just because something can
be placed into one's mouth, chewed up, and swallowed does
not automatically categorize it as "good food". It
is well known that there are several plants which are
poisonous—some of which kill within minutes. The same is
true with unclean animals, but unfortunately, the poisons
act much more slowly—usually taking many years before
displaying their effects, and eventually, the Lord will deal
with those that are left (Isaiah 66:15-17). Because
of this usually long "incubation" period, the
blame often is placed on things other than the
"food". Granted, in many cases these "other
causes" definitely contribute, but are not alone to be
identified as guilty.
Medical science is just
beginning to discover the truth about the slow poisons found
in some commonly eaten animals; but God had informed since
the creation that there were certain things which were unfit
to eat. He did not enumerate the poisonous plants, as at
least one physician has pointed out, because they work
quickly and are easily identified. But the animal poisons
are so slow acting and subtle that they required special and
individual treatment.
The March 23, 1985, issue of
Lancet contained an article by Dr. Amin A. Nanji and
Samuel W. French entitled "Relationship Between Pork
Consumption and Cirrhosis" (pp. 681-83) which
demonstrated not only the anticipated correlation between
alcohol consumption and mortality from cirrhosis of the
liver, but also a similar relationship between the eating of
pork and the same disease. The significant correlation was
even greater where high consumption of both were present.
This study included beef consumption as well, but found no
correlation. On page 683 of the article it states,
"We
have shown that the amount of pork consumed correlates
strongly with mortality from cirrhosis."
Poisons
may sometimes appear to be good and be very palatable. They
may even contribute some very useful components to the
system. Just as a glass of milk laced with cyanide has many
useful nutrients, nonetheless the poison still has its
effect. God knew which animals were bad for the human body.
After all, He created them all. He also loved
us enough to reveal to us which ones they were. In the book
of Leviticus (chapter 11), he explains in detail what they
are (swine, fish without fins and scales [yes,
that includes catfish, lobster, shrimp, clams, etc.] and
others).
Poisons
have their Purposes
Some may ask, "If some animals are really poisonous
to eat, why did God create them?" The answer is
simple: they have other purposes. The
irrelevance of this question may be demonstrated by other
similar ones, such as: "If water wasn't meant to be
breathed, why did God create it?" Or, "If it is
harmful to light fire to yourself, why did God create
fire?" Just because He created something, it does not
mean that it was intended for every single conceivable use
that man's mind could conjure up. After all, He created the
poisonous plants and gasses also! Try eating some granite or
marble sometime and you will quickly conclude that they
neither were designed nor intended to be consumed as food!
Or maybe you would prefer a poison ivy salad! Yet, there
will be "nutritionists" somewhere who will extol
the magnificent benefits to be gained with such delights!
God does not do things without purpose or usefulness.
The
argument that Paul pronounced all things as edible in 1
Timothy 4:1-5 needs to be dealt with. First, let it be noted
that the primary subject is "seducing spirits,
doctrines of devils, and forbidding to marry." One
of these doctrines involves abstaining from "meats
which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of
them which believe and know the truth." These
statements by Paul are explaining that in latter times, a
church will be commanding those that are members and/or high
authorities abstain from eating meats (such as, the Catholic
church and other sects that forbid meats, but allow fish on
Fridays [which IS a meat]), and establishing a
strange doctrine for those who do not read the bible. Those
who "believe and know the truth" should
despise such ideas because you have been brought into God's
marvelous light. And what is the truth? "Thy word is
truth," said Christ in John 17:17. The Bible
reveals the truth to all that will read it, and, among other
things, it points out which animals are good and which are
bad for food. Yes, "every creature of God is good,"
but not necessarily for food!
"And nothing to be refused, if it be received
with thanksgiving." Again, it must be received with
thanksgiving for the purpose for which it was intended!
And that is not necessarily for food. All of God's creation
is "sanctified"— separated—"by
the Word of God and prayer." But not all of it was
sanctified to be food. The Bible lists those that were
sanctified—set
apart—as being fit to eat (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy
14).
Unclean
made Clean?
A favorite contention is that the "clean/unclean"
distinction was somehow "nailed to the cross" and
the "terrible oppression" laid upon the Israelites
by God was lifted. Was there some sort of sudden miraculous
change in the physical structure of the previously
"unclean" animals which abruptly made them good
food? There is no scientific evidence of it, and most
important, there is no biblical evidence for it.
In the
minds of many, Peter's experience demonstrated such
evidence. But a careful inspection results in a different
conclusion. This account begins in Acts 10. The first
point to be considered is the fact that this event took
place several years after the
crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Had there
indeed been a change in the approach toward the eating of
"unclean" animals, certainly it would have been
well known and long accepted by this time. Surely sometime
during the forty days the resurrected Christ spent with His
disciples before ascending to heaven He would have made such
an important change perfectly clear. But this was not the
case. We will see from Peter's reaction that such was
obviously not true.
The
vision (verse 12) included "all manner" of
things—the description making it quite clear. The
creatures clearly turned Peter's stomach and the meaning of
the vision (verse 17) escaped Peter. He did not interpret it
as showing that all animals were fit to eat! It was not
until he reached Cornelius that he fully understood the
vision that the Lord showed him. The message had nothing
whatsoever to do with food, but rather with nations of
people. Verse 28 reveals this. Cornelius was an Italian
Gentile, looked upon by the Jews as "unclean". God
was telling Peter that Cornelius and the other Gentiles were
to be treated as equals--brothers--and not looked upon or
treated as inferior in Christ. The remainder of the chapter
follows this train of thought and reinforces the plain
message of verse 28.
Another
scripture often quoted to "prove" that all animal
flesh is proper for human consumption is Romans 14:14. The
first point to be made clear is contained in the marginal
reference found in many Bibles.
With this understanding clear, it becomes a simple
matter of understanding the message of Romans 14:14. Nothing
is unclean of itself (although it can be
"unclean") but if anyone thinks it might be
unclean, to him or her it is unclean…but what about
God? The
Lord is the one who esteemed things clean and unclean and if
we are to be servants of the Lord, we are to obey His
word…period.
"Clean
and "Unclean" in the Future
The fact that the animals, which are "clean", and
those which pointed out in one particularly clear prophecy.
Had there been a change (or had one been anticipated), it
would be extremely clear. Such is not the case, so the
conclusion becomes inescapable. Were there to have been a
change, there is no reason for the distinction to be made
clear as existing in the Last Days period—the time of now
and on until Christ's return. This prophecy is found in
Isaiah 66:17 (briefly mentioned earlier), showing that God
will KILL those persons who eat "swine's
flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse." If all
animals are now clean, this becomes an empty, meaningless
threat and you can rest assured that God does not make idle
threats!
What
is "Clean" and "Unclean"?
There
are two places where the distinctions are found are in the
following chapters in the Bible: Leviticus
11 and Deuteronomy 14.
In addition to the eating of "unclean"
meats, the use of even parts of them in food preparation is
wrong. This eliminates the use of lard as a cooking or
frying oil or shortening. There is also a law against the
use of blood and the fat of even the "clean"
animals (Leviticus 3:11, 7:23 27). Therefore, even beef fat
should be avoided not only as a frying and cooking material,
but also as an ingredient, as it often is, in ground beef.
Also, any use of unclean animals in other prepared
dishes, in turn, makes the dish unclean.
Read the chapters for more details.
Poisoning
yourself is a Sin
It is a sin to imbibe in "unclean" foods and it is
damaging to the body. For the Bible Christian, though, there
is more involved. A deeper meaning, commitment, and
application brings the matter into a much sharper focus. Christians
are to present their bodies as a "living
sacrifice" (Romans 12:1 2) and should therefore keep
that body unpolluted. That body is God's Temple
and God will destroy the ones who willfully pollute it (1
Corinthians 3:16 17 and Isaiah 66: 15-17)! The Christian's
body is no longer his/hers; it is bought and paid for, now
the property of Jesus Christ and is to be taken care of as
the owner dictates (1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23). The choice is
yours: keep yourself unpolluted or face the consequences of
His wrath at His second coming!
Peace
in Jesus name.
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