Here are some of the most common frequently asked questions about Biblical eating. That means abiding by Scripture's instructions about what animals we are forbidden to eat, even as we believe in Jesus and the New Testament. We delve into lots of New Testament verses and clarify what they mean.
What about Acts 10:9-16? People use this to say all food is clean.
This is passage is Peter's vision of the forbidden animals being lowered on a sheet from Heaven. He hears a voice say, "Kill and eat." Many people assume the message of this vision was its face value - but Acts 11 goes on to explain what this vision meant! It's not talking about food at all. According to the Bible, the point of this vision was that no people are unclean or unfit to be part of God's family.
The dairy and meat separation. It's very confusing to me.
This is confusing because humans have made it that way.
The idea of separating all meat and dairy products comes from Exodus 23:19 which says not to boil a goat in the milk of its mother. It's noteworthy that the Hebrew word used means baby goat and not all cattle or animals. Many scholars believe this is about not mixing meat with that animal's specific mother's milk (as opposed to mixing goat meat with the milk of any other goat or butter made from a cow, etc), which apparently was a pagan practice in Bible times.
Since chicken, etc. are not dairy animals there is no express Biblical prohibition from mixing that with cheese, butter, etc. The text also does not seem to be talking about beef or lamb.
We should also note that we do see milk and meat served together in Scripture. Abraham served meat with milk and curds in Genesis 18:18. Many would say that the instructions on how to eat weren't given until later, so therefore Abraham just didn't know not to do this. However we see in Genesis 7 that Noah knew the difference between clean and unclean animals before then.
This Is duck clean or no?
Duck is considered clean. As are chicken, turkey, quail, pheasant, partridge, goose, and dove.
How do you even begin? Especially when your husband refuses?
If your spouse isn't on board then do what YOU can. If you are cooking, make clean meals and if he wants to add something unclean that's his choice.
If you're not sure what all is and isn't permitted, start avoiding what you know is off limits - bacon for example. Start to choose other options instead of bacon and then as you learn more, do more! And remember it will get easier with time!
I will link at the end of a post for a step by step guide to switching to a Biblical diet.
Is meat at stores like Walmart unclean because of slaughter methods?
Leviticus 17:13 tells us not to eat meat hat has blood in it. This can be an issue with red meat - conventional slaughterhouses do not always make it a point to drain the blood, or might not kill the animal in a way that is conducive to that.
People handle this differently - some cook the meat thoroughly, others salt meat to draw out the blood, others buy only meat where they know how it was slaughtered, and some only feel comfortable with certified kosher meat.
I find it difficult to find kosher certified meat, any suggestions?
Talk to small scale butchers near you and find out their slaughtering practices. Many are consistent with kosher methods, but without the certification.
Call the nearest synagogue and ask if/where their congregants get kosher certified meat.
Small grocery stores can usually special order kosher meat. It helps if you place a fairly large order to make it worth their trouble.
Take a cooler and stock up when you go to a large city. You can freeze meat at home to use in the coming months. Kroger and Trader Joe's are usually good bets. Call ahead to double check that they carry it!
Kosher certified meat is rarely pastured/grass fed/local/organic, what do we ask our local farmers?
Most farmers don't do their own slaughtering. Ask if they know what that consists of. If they don't, find out where their animals are processed and contact them.
I would ask what steps they take to drain the blood, and go from there.
There is really not much in Scripture about how an animal should be killed. Some believe that a cow's throat should be slit and drained that way. The more common method today is to first stun-gun cows in the head before slitting their throats to drain the blood. Many feel this is more humane for the animal.
Does eating Biblically mean I have to become a vegan or have a plant based diet?
No. Becoming a vegan is an option but is not something that is required to have a Biblical diet.
In Daniel we see that he switched to a plant based diet in order to avoid unclean meats that likely were sacrificed to idols. If your choice is to eat a vegan meal or unclean meat, then that's an easy decision to make to keep the Bible's commandments. In general though, you have the option to eat Biblically-sanctioned meats and dairy, if you like.
I would remind everyone that vegan eating is a personal choice and not a Biblical commandment.
What about Romans 14 where it says believers with sensitive conscience's will eat only vegetables?
This passage is mostly talking about fasting. Some people feel called to fast certain days, while others did not. Both sides should treat the other with kindness.
Are mushrooms clean?
Most people say yes because Scripture does not mention anything about them being unclean. Judaism accepts edible mushrooms as kosher.
Others would say no since they are not a plant that produces seeds (see Genesis 1:29). Seaweed also doesn't produce seeds, so that's something to watch out for if you land on this side.
What are things to avoid that might get missed?
Checking produce for bugs is always a good idea. You don't need to spend forever on it, but it's something to watch out for as you're chopping. If you find bugs you can take them off and still use the veggie or fruit.
Some beef or turkey products will have pork casings. Double check the ingredient label when you're buying any type of sausage product.
Gelatin is usually made from pork. It shows up in gelatin desserts like jello, marshmallows, pudding mixes, and lesser quality yogurt and sour cream.
You can get beef gelatin, if you are so inclined, to use in any recipes calling for it!
What kind of fish are okay to eat?
Fish need to have fins and scales. Common fish that are Biblically clean include salmon, tuna, cod, trout, perch, sea bass, herring, pollock, tilapia, mahi-mahi, and flounder.
Cookbook recommendations?
Pretty Simple Cooking from A Couple Cooks is a gem! It's vegetarian but they include some recommendations for incorporating meat if you'd like to. The book is also arranged by the amount of time each recipe takes, which I love! It has practical recipes for real Biblically clean meals!
What's your interpretation of the verse in Mark 7 where it says he made all foods clean?
Mark 7 isn't talking about what is being eaten, it's talking about eating without going through a (non Bible based) ritual of hand washing. That's why they asked, "Why do your followers eat with unwashed hands?" and not, "Why are your followers eating unclean things?"
Also, the Bible never calls unclean animals "food." It only calls Biblically clean things food, so it's kind of a moot point.
What are thoughts on eating out, specifically at a restaurant that serves unclean and clean food?
I feel most comfortable at restaurants that don't serve unclean meat, or at least very little of it. That said, quality restaurants (especially those accommodating to vegetarians and those with food allergies), have no problem avoiding cross contamination if asked. Restaurants like these typically have a vegetarian deep fryer and spot on the grill. If you are having meat you can request they clean the grill.
A reader mentioned watching out for restaurants that cook with lard. This is mostly a problem at southern type and Mexican restaurants, so that's something you can ask about. Again, for places that are vegetarian-friendly, this usually isn't an issue.
And if a restaurant can't tell you the ingredients they use - I would really think twice about eating there. I've worked in restaurants and there is absolutely no mystery to anyone in the kitchen about what is being used. Unless it's a heat and serve place, which tend to be nasty anyway. If a waiter or waitress can't answer your questions they can always go and check with the kitchen.
I applaud all of you making the choice to implement a Biblically clean diet into your life! There are many things that can be debated, but wherever you land on these things I'm proud of the changes you are making! YHWH is honored by your effort to be obedient to Scripture!
More about clean eating:
Never thought about Lard, and we just went camping and used marshmallows:-(
ReplyDeleteWe can't know what we haven't been taught. I believe YHWH is honored by our attempts to be obedient to him even when we fall short. Now that you know better you can do better! :)
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