Pod Prep: 6-22-18
Is Being a Vegetarian Biblical and Did Paul Give Up Eating Meat?
DID THE APOSTLE PAUL STOP EATING MEAT ?
You will find some who take Paul's statement to the Corinthians as proof that he now believed eating meat was somehow wrong. We will look at this statement of the Apostle and find out exactly what Paul had in mind and why. Paul is responding to a controversy among the brethren regarding meat sold in the butcher shops of the day. We are not qualified to give medical advice only Biblical advice.
1Co 8:13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (NKJV)
This verse can be clearly understood when we take it in context. Taking scripture out of context is a method for misleading yourself and others as to the true meaning of a Biblical statement. Paul is solving a problem regarding meat offered to idols. No doubt most of the meat in Corinth and Rome as well, was likely to have been offered to a pagan god prior to selling it to the butchers. The excess meat after a pagan ceremony was a great price deal in a city full of pagan temples.
1Co 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. (NKJV)
Paul explains that the idol is nothing, it cannot effect the meat in any manner. Pagan gods are not a real force, it is all superstition. This knowledge, Paul explains, is known by the mature believers. However, knowledge is not as important as love. If you love your weaker brothers be sensitive to their unfounded fears. Those who grew up in these pagan superstitions all their lives could not divorce themselves emotionally from these deep feelings. For some, it would take years. Paul is saying be sensitive regarding eating meat in their presence. They would defile their consciences if they ate meat from a pagan ceremony.
1Co 8:10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (NKJV)
Paul warns that those who have or are contemplating getting a cheap meal at the pagan temples threaten the salvation of the weaker brethren. This is not love. Paul condemns those who go to the pagan temples.
1Co 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Paul said he would go to extremes to protect the weak brethren, those new, and who just left paganism. Paul condemns the veterans believers for their flaunting their knowledge.
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness." (NKJV)
Paul explains that the best policy is to eat the clean meat without asking any questions as to whether it had been used for pagan ceremonies. He told them you do not want to know because it is irrelevant. The idol is
nothing and all the bounty of the earth including meats is from God. He further states that if someone says this meat is from a pagan god do not eat it; not because the meat is contaminated, but for the sake of the one who is making an issue of it. The strong brother does not want to appear to approve of that particular pagan god or goddess.
IS VEGETARIANISM MORE SPIRITUAL THAN OTHER DIETS
A big trend in today's society is the belief that vegetarianism is better and more wholesome than other diets. Some believe that the Bible recommends it as a better way of life. The exact opposite is true. The Bible does not endorse the vegan life style. It does not condemn it unless it is preached as a spiritual doctrine. One can be a vegan if a persons chooses, but one should not push it as a new found Christian doctrine.
1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall apostatize from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, cauterised as to their own conscience, 3 forbidding to marry, bidding to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth. (DBY)
One of the pagan philosophies that Paul warned the church about was asceticism. It is the neglecting of the body. One can spend too much time worried over diet with harsh doctrines of denying the body. This abuse of self or denying of basic needs can make a person feel righteous because of all he has sacrificed; sort of like a vow of silence for many years can make a person impressed with all that he has denied himself. This is pagan not Godly. Meat is made by God for our benefit. Paul explains that eating meat or not eating meat does not convey spiritual brownie points to either side.
Ro 14:1 Welcome a man of weak faith, but not for the purpose of deciding doubtful points. 2 One man has faith to eat anything;
but he whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
3 He who eats meat must not despise the man who abstains; and let not the man who abstains judge him who eats; for God has received him. (MNT)
There are at least two things to consider from this Bible statement. One is we should not look down on each other over diets. This is not a Godly perspective, that is really a very worldly approach. People feeling better than others based on whether they eat meat or not. Secondly the most picky believer is the weak one. Paul definitely states that the vegetarian is the weak brother. Being overly picky about physical things like diet may be the mark of a weak brother. He will grow out of it in time. We need to learn to focus more on the spiritual as we mature as believers with less worry over physical things. The overly critical believer is often the real weak Christian , especially if they are judgmental over physical things like diet or rules over how many cups you can wash on the Sabbath.
Ro 14:19 So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. (WEB)
The Bible clearly states that our emphasis should not be on food so much. It should be on showing love to all, even the weaker brothers and doing all we can to uplift and edify each other. We can eat meat. However from a health point of view, one should consider several issues. One, only eat meats approved by God. Note Lev 11 for details. Meat is relatively cheap in America. Therefore many Americans,
1. Eat eat too much meat. 2. Eat too much fatty meat and deep fried meats. 3. Eat too much fast food meat.
This type of diet will clog arteries and lead to premature heart problems. Remember Daniel in Babylon chose not to eat the emperors meats, wine and delicacies. No doubt many of the meats were unclean, full of fat, and probably cooked improperly with all mixed clean and unclean together. Daniel saw the health danger of this decadent diet of the privileged royalty. He rejected the diet and was so much healthier for it.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 10 The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the king. 12 Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 15 At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties.
The vegetarian diet proved beneficial for Daniel and friends rather than the polluted meat. Daniel knew how to eat vegetables to gain a balance of all the major nutrients needed.
A VEGETARIAN DIET HAS DANGERS IF NOT DONE PROPERLY
VEGETARIANISM IS BECOMING VERY POPULAR IN SOME CIRCLES. WHAT DO WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR HEALTH WISE? PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM VEGAN DIETS CAN INCLUDE: LACK OF ENERGY, MALNOURISHMENT, FATIGUE, FREQUENT BOUTS OF ILLNESS AND DEPRESSION. VEGETARIANS CAN DEVELOP A B-12 DEFICIENCY WHICH CAN LEAD TO PERNICIOUS ANEMIA AND OTHER DISEASES. HUMANS NEED VITAMIN D IN ORDER TO ABSORB CALCIUM WHICH IS A VITAL MINERAL. IT IS MUCH HARDER, GENERALLY, TO GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D WITHOUT ANIMAL PRODUCTS. VEGETARIANISM CAN INVOLVE THE TOTAL ABSENCE OF MEAT, FISH, CHEESE, MILK AND ALL OTHER ANIMAL BASED PRODUCTS. SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE MODERATE WITH THEIR VEGETARIANISM AND INCLUDE MILK, EGGS AND CHEESE. OUR CREATOR, GAVE US THE GIFT OF MEAT. WE MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY IT.
WE MUST WORSHIP THE CREATOR NOT THE CREATION
Some people are focused on earth worship which includes animal worship. They probably do not realize it. They focus on mother nature more than on God. They are concerned with animal rights more than human rights. Pagan philosophies in the past emphasized the creation ( Sun & Animals) more than the Creator. Some are being slowly led astray into similar philosophies today. This is one unknown reason for the vegan surge. Society is by slow increments being led into earth and nature worship.
Ro 1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
