What Does the Bible Say about Veganism? (It's Not a Commandment)

This post explores what the Bible really says about veganism and whether believers must adhere to a vegan diet or not. Discover Biblical perspectives on dietary choices.

Does the Bible say that believers have to or "should" have vegan diets? What does Scripture say about veganism? If you're not familiar, veganism is a diet that only allows for plant based foods. No animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, honey, or dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, etc. are to be eaten by vegans. There are people who will tell you that the only way to truly eat Biblically is to have a vegan diet, but this belief is not consistent with Scripture. To cut to the chase, to say that the Bible says that believers have to be vegan is blatantly against the teachings of Scripture. It is Biblically permissible (and sometimes a requirement) to have animal products in our meals.

Many people look at YHWH's directive to Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the trees of the garden of Eden as a sign that this was God's original plan for mankind, and therefore his preferred option for us now. It's true that Adam and Eve were initially on a vegan diet, but it was very different than modern veganism. Adam and Eve ate only tree fruit. Since the ground wasn't tilled until after the fall, there would have been only perennial plants in the garden of Eden. Today the majority of most of the food we eat is made up of annual plants, not perennials. Annual plants include things like most grains, corn, soybeans, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, melons, beans, and a substantial portion of foods commonly eaten today. In order to truly eat like Adam and Eve, you would have to eat only tree fruit that is in season in your area. (You could also make the case that you would need to tend and harvest this fruit yourself.) Unless you live in the tropics, the season for tree fruit is only a few months of the year.

Adam and Eve were also naked in the garden of Eden. That does not mean going around nude is an appropriate choice for believers today. In cold temperatures exposure can be deadly. While nakedness may very well have been ideal at the time, we can all agree that that would not serve us well today.

If we look at the whole of Scripture, it quickly becomes apparent that while Adam and Eve may have eaten only plants, that's not a requirement for others. And since it's not a commandment of the Bible, it is wrong to act like or tell others that veganism is something that God expects of people today. Way too many people have been told that a vegan diet is the only way to please God. This is no different than the Pharisees claiming that before eating you had to do a ritual hand washing that they invented in order for food to be clean (Mark 7, Matthew 15). Neither is a commandment of Scripture. We know that the Messiah did not tolerate any stand-ins for Biblical instruction.

We will take a look at Bible verses that demonstrate that veganism is not a commandment.

Biblical evidence that veganism is not required of believers:

-The Bible articulates in concise language which animals can and cannot be eaten. If all animals were forbidden to believers, Leviticus 11 would be a much shorter chapter. It would simply say not to eat animals or animal products. But it doesn't say that. It tells us which animals are appropriate for food.

-Abraham and Sarah served milk, curds, and meat to their supernatural visitors - and weren't reprimanded for it. (Genesis 18:8)

-All believers were given the directive to eat lamb or goat on Passover. (Exodus 12:8)

-YHWH provided quail for the Israelites when they wandered the desert. (Numbers 11:31)

-The promised land is repeatedly described as a land of milk and honey...neither product is vegan. (Exodus 3:8, Leviticus 20:24, Numbers 13:27, Jeremiah 11:5)

-The Levitical priests were provided with meat from certain animal sacrifices, as directed by Scripture. (Leviticus 7:8)

-Animal products are frequently spoken well of throughout Scripture. The Torah is compared to both milk and honey...how crazy would it be for the Bible to liken the word of YHWH to something forbidden, or considered less than ideal?

-The Messiah's example of a "good gift" was an egg. (Luke 11:12)

-The Messiah himself served fish both before and after his resurrection. (Matthew 14:19, John 21:9)

-In Acts 10 when Peter had the vision of animals being lowered on a sheet and heard the words, "Kill and eat," his response wasn't that he had never eaten any animals, but that he hadn't eaten unclean animals.

-The shepherding culture of Israel...and before anyone tells you that they just kept sheep around for the wool, see 1 Corinthians 9:7, "Who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?"

These are just a few of many examples in the Bible about why veganism is not necessary or required for believers.

Balancing dietary choices with Scripture:

Now you can make an argument that you could eat only plant based products because the Bible doesn't say that you can't (although note that in Exodus in order to keep Passover, you ate lamb), and that choice is up to you. If you're eating at a restaurant, dinner party, or event where abominable animals are being served, sticking with vegan options can be an appropriate way to eat Biblically, as Daniel did when he was captive in Babylon. However, there being certain situations where only plants are eaten does not mean that this is a commandment of God. Whether or not you are a vegan, it would be wise to be mindful of the problems that have sprung up from this diet today.

Causes for concern about believers adhering to a vegan diet:

-Many vegans perpetuate the lie that veganism is a commandment when it is not. Veganism is a personal choice, nothing more.

-Often vegans emphasize how sad they find it that animals are being harvested for food. Acting like animal-consumption is cruel is an affront to the character of God who said this was okay. Dread of animal death is also a good way to skew the meaning of sacrifice in the Levitical priesthood, which can ultimately lead to misunderstanding the Messiah's sacrifice.

-The virtue-signaling is nauseating. I've met believers who are vegans who will talk about very little besides veganism. I've been excited to connect with others only to have the conversation be nothing but moral posturing and put-downs as people believe they are somehow above others and earning extra points with God for their veganism. To be clear, veganism does not get you extra points with God, just as Jesus did not give extra points to the Pharisees for their pre-meal rituals. Focusing too much on a specialty diet in conversations is a poor witness to others.

-Many people who claim to be vegans are not. Many "vegans" will talk continually of their diet and it's supposed superiority to what others eat, and then may knowingly help themselves to a dessert or other dish that is filled with dairy or meat at a congregational potluck. If you tell people that you don't eat animal products, and then you intentionally eat animal products, you are not a vegan. In fact, you are a liar. Again, this is a poor witness to those who already see people of faith as very hypocritical. 

-This is a self centered belief. Sure, if you're doing well in America today, it's relatively easy to go to a corporate grocery store and fill your cart with ready-to-eat vegan foods, and subsist only on them. But for most of history, it was simply not possible to survive, let alone thrive, without including any animal products in your diet. This is still true in many parts of the world today. It should give us pause if this supposed instruction of Scripture is only obtainable to those of a certain socio-economic status or geographic location!

-It places a huge stumbling block in front of others! We need to be careful that we do not place unnecessary obstacles in front of other believers or, as the Messiah said, "weigh them down with heavy burdens and not lift a finger to help them." We have no right to burden others with extra rules that are blatantly against what the Bible teaches - Jesus took issue with the Pharisees for doing just that in Mark 7. Just cutting pork and shellfish out of meals is extremely challenging for most people - and it's an effort that deserves to be celebrated! We should not treat a Biblically clean diet with meat and dairy as some sort of lesser option.

Eating only plants is not a commandment and should not be treated as such. The Bible does not call for a vegan diet. This creates the opportunity for people of all cultures and locations to honor YHWH by eating how he says, in a way that also makes sense with their local ingredients. According to Scripture, we are free to eat meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products from the animals in Leviticus 11.

Related posts:
Understanding Mark 7 (Jesus Made All 'Foods' Clean)
What the Bible Says about Meat and Dairy - And If They Can Be Mixed
How to Eat Biblically Clean
Why Daniel Refused to Eat the King's Meat

Tips for Transitioning to a Biblically Clean Diet

Are you struggling with making the change to a Biblically clean diet? Old habits are certainly hard to break, but Scripture says that you can do all things through the Messiah! Additionally, here are some ways you can help to make the process a little easier on yourself.

Tips for Transitioning to a Biblically Clean Diet:

-Keep in mind that the transition is the hardest part. You might feel hungry and frustrated now but these feelings will pass. Your body will naturally adjust and learn to crave Biblically clean foods. I've heard many former pork lovers say that they can't stand the smell of it anymore. This process will get easier as you go!

-Fast. Fasting is a Spiritual practice that has physical benefits as well. You could fast for several days or just a certain meal. You could do this regularly or occasionally. Use that time to pray that YHWH would help you break any unhealthy or unholy addictions or cravings. As a bonus, when you break fast you will be more receptive to the foods you're maybe not as much of a fan of. Hunger helps food to taste better. 

-Try new foods...or not. There are basically two schools of thought on this. You can try all sorts of new recipes and ingredients that you wouldn't normally have before as a way to find Biblically clean meals and snacks that you appreciate. Or you can go with 'cleaning up' some of the things you are used to eating...like switching to chicken or turkey sausage or "bacon" made from lamb or beef. Some people find the familiarity helpful, while others prefer to have things not taste different all of a sudden. Figure out which method works best for you.

-Figure out a new go-to pizza. If pizza is what you are frequently served at get-togethers, office lunches, impromptu meals, etc., you will want to have some new ideas of what to order or look for when pizza is served. Ground beef is available as a topping at most pizza places. Ground beef with onions and peppers is a favorite among believers I know. Barbecue chicken is another popular choice. If you're making your own pizza turkey pepperoni and chicken sausage are both easy to find and go well on pizza.

-Take encouragement from others. I've heard of the benefits from hundreds of people who have made this change in their life. It really is edifying to be obedient to Scripture. People report feeling closer to YHWH, growing spiritually, feeling better, and fewer health problems! Even those who haven't necessarily felt any changes report that they are glad they made this choice!

-Jot down Biblically clean staples to turn to. Make a list of family favorite recipes that are Biblically clean, or write out a list of clean snack options for yourself. Having a visual reminder can be very beneficial if you are breaking old habits. This is especially helpful if you have family members or roommates with unclean items in the kitchen that would be easy to turn to when you're hungry. Set yourself up for success by reminding yourself of what you can eat!

-Make meals at home. When you're making the adjustment it can be easier to cook meals rather than try to navigate restaurant menus. Get used to cooking and eating in a way that honors the Creator in an environment that you have control of. It will make it easier to go out later!

-Identify what you're having the most difficulty with. Is it a certain meal or a craving for a specific thing? Pray for wisdom about how to handle that. Can you fast that meal? How about finding a clean alternative? Remember that Scripture says you can do all things through the help of the Messiah!

-Go out for coffee, rather than a full meal. If friends that you normally go out with are not supportive of the changes you are making, then it might be easier to not eat with them for a while. Or if your local restaurants are hard to eat clean at but you still want to have a place to meet with friends, going out for coffee can be a nice alternative and it will save some money.

-Avoid places or things that might tempt you. Set yourself up for success by steering clear of normal temptations. If you were trying to lose weight, you wouldn't hang out in a donut shop all day and expect good results. As you work to eat Biblically clean, think about staying away from your regular breakfast spot if you would normally get bacon and sausage there. If your office normally has pepperoni pizza in the breakroom on Fridays, then going elsewhere for lunch could make it easier to make different decisions. 

-Remind yourself why you are doing this! Why did you make this decision? Did you feel the tug of the Holy Spirit in this direction? Are you wanting to honor the Creator in your daily life? Do you want to be more obedient to what the Bible says? All of those are worth all the sacrifices we make! 

Related posts:
How to Eat Biblically Clean
Questions and Answers on Biblically Clean Eating

Tips for Eating Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts

Biblically Clean Summer Recipes

Summer brings warm weather, lovely days spent outside, and great seasonal produce. I wanted to share Biblically clean recipes that put those garden vegetables and fresh fruits to use. A lot of these recipes utilize the grill or leave ingredients raw so that helps to minimize the time you need to spend in a hot kitchen. Lots of these would work well to take to a cookout or for Sabbath meals too.

BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Vibrant Bell Pepper and Zucchini Tacos from Minimalist Baker

Quick Hummus Bowl from A Couple Cooks

Strawberry Shortcake from Love and Lemons

Blueberry Cucumber Summer Salad from How Sweet Eats

Farmers Market Goat Cheese Pasta Primavera from Half Baked Harvest

Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Burgers from How Sweet Eats

Zippy Orzo Chicken Salad from Pinch of Yum

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Cheeseburger Chopped Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette from How Sweet Eats

Watermelon Slushie from A Couple Cooks

Salmon Souvlaki Bowls from Half Baked Harvest

Boiled Corn on the Cob from Love and Lemons

Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers from Ambitious Kitchen

Rainbow Veggie Bowls with Jalapeno Ranch from Pinch of Yum

Browned Butter Grilled Peaches from Half Baked Harvest

Greek Salad from A Couple Cooks

Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce from Salt and Lavender

Market Veggie Board with Roasted Corn Jalapeno Hummus from Half Baked Harvest

Sweet Corn, Peach, and Tomato Salad from How Sweet Eats

Skillet Strawberry Cobbler with Layered Cream Cheese Biscuits from Half Baked Harvest

Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing from Pinch of Yum

Ratatouille from Love and Lemons

One Pot Greek Oregano Chicken with Orzo and Tomatoes from Half Baked Harvest

Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Love and Lemons

Watermelon Sorbet from A Couple Cooks

Related posts:
Eating Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts
What the Bible Says About Meat and Dairy
Brands of Biblically Clean Marshmallows

Biblically Clean Marshmallows

Biblically clean marshmallows! First off, did you know that most brands of marshmallows are Biblically unclean? It's because they contain gelatin, which is made from pig, unless clearly specified as beef/bovine, fish, or certified kosher gelatin. Gelatin is one of those things that can sneak into foods you don't expect, not just jello and marshmallows, but fruit snacks and candy, and even some yogurts and sour cream.

The good news is that there are Biblically clean marshmallows! Here are some common brands.

Dandies are vegan and made without gelatin. I have not tried them but they are available pretty widely at many grocery stores.

Smashmallows come in a variety of flavors and are made with certified kosher bovine gelatin. They are available at Target and other major grocery stores.

Paskesz is probably the easiest brand to find, at least in my area. Kroger and Meijer often carry these. I find their texture to be reasonably similar to regular marshmallows.

Making homemade. This is obviously not a brand, but if you get beef gelatin you can make marshmallows using any recipe. Just substitute the beef gelatin for the regular pork kind equally. To make marshmallows you basically heat a large amount of sugar to a specific temperature, add gelatin, and mix for about 10 minutes. Lots of people have told me that if they can make them anyone can.

Here's a link to for kosher beef gelatin from Great Lakes Wellness.

Here's a recipe for Brown Sugar Marshmallows with Chocolate Swirl from Buttermilk by Sam!

If you're not familiar with Biblically clean eating, this blog has a lot of resources! Start with learning what Biblically clean eating is here.

Trader Joe's marshmallows are the most similar to regular marshmallows of all the brands I have tried. I am told they are only available seasonally so look for them in the summer months.

Related posts:
Biblically Clean Cookout Recipes
What is Biblically Clean Eating?
How To Eat Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts

What the Bible Says about Meat and Dairy (And if They Can Be Mixed)

This post examines the directive from Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21 about not cooking a goat in the milk of its mother. We will examine this instruction to see what it means and learn about whether or not it's okay Biblically to eat milk and meat together.

Meat and dairy. Should they be eaten together? People seem to have strong opinions about this. Some say you can, while others say they shouldn't even share a kitchen - let alone be served in the same meal. I have seen people get upset that that both meat and cheese were offered on the build-your-own-sandwich lunch buffet at conferences. There are books on this. Sometimes people message me to say that I shouldn't have liked that picture some blogger posted on Instagram because it contained both chicken and butter.  

For all this commotion you would expect the Bible to have a lot to say on this subject. But here's what it says:

"Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk." -Exodus 23:19b

That's it. Some people will tell you that this was God's way of saying that you can't eat meat and dairy together, or even store them in the same refrigerator. Or eat one within hours of having the other. How did we go from a somewhat random instruction to people being worried about storing leftover chicken in the same fridge as a gallon of milk?

Regarding the other laws around food, the Bible is very direct. "You shall not eat," "this is permissible to you," "get rid of the leaven from your homes for one week." So I'm not inclined to believe that the command to not cook a goat in the milk of its mother should be extrapolated and expanded to the point where no meat ever crosses paths with any dairy products. YHWH could have commanded that goat not be cooked in any milk, period. He could have said not to cook meat of any kind in milk. He could have said to eat either meat or dairy, but not both. But he didn't! 

Right off the bat, the specification of "its mother's" milk means that nondairy animals can be cooked or served with butter, cheese, cream, etc. Chicken, turkey, and other poultry (as well as fish) do not produce milk, so there is no way to violate the Biblical commandment of not cooking an animal in the milk of its mother. This means you can feel free to enjoy chicken alfredo or a turkey cheese sandwich.

Then the specification of "milk" means that eggs aren't in question here. This means that eggs can be freely mixed with meat. So dishes like steak and eggs, or fried chicken with egg in the batter are clean according to Scripture.

The word translated as young goat or kid is gedi. While the Bible often uses the word se which can mean sheep, cattle, lamb, or ewe, the word gedi is only used to mean a young male goat. That's an important distinction. Many people will tell you that this verse is talking about all Biblically clean animals, or at least the red meat ones, such as beef, lamb, bison, venison, etc. But since the Holy Spirit inspired the word choice of gedi - which would mean just kid goats - when it doesn't hesitate to use a more general word for clean animals in other places, I am led to believe that this passage is only prohibiting goat from being cooked in the milk of its mother. This would mean that it is Biblically permissible to mix beef and lamb and other clean animals with dairy. So cheeseburgers, or serving lamb or roast beef with buttery mashed potatoes would be considered Biblically clean.

So what does the Bible mean by telling us not to cook a young goat in its mother's milk then?

Many Biblical scholars believe this specific act was prohibited because it was a worship practice of other religions or an ungodly cultural custom. The preceding part of the verse and the verse prior to that detail instructions related to offerings brought to YHWH. So I think this theory makes sense, as elsewhere we are told "not to worship YHWH the way those nations worship their gods" (Deuteronomy 12:4). If boiling goat meat in its mother's milk was happening in worship to other gods, that would also fit with why the Bible orders the sacrificial lamb (which could also be goat) at Passover to be roasted with fire, and expressly prohibits it being boiled (Exodus 12:9). Perhaps YHWH wanted to be sure that the practices of the Israelites were distinctly different from that of the people around them.

We should also keep in mind the broader context that this instruction was given in. The passages leading up to this, starting in Exodus 23:10, talk about instructions for the Sabbath, and then details about the Biblical holidays. I don't think it's an accident that these things deal with living in a way that's set apart and different from the surrounding society. Regardless of whether we understand the reasoning behind this instruction or not, we should be obedient to what the Bible says. Under no circumstances should we boil a young goat in the milk of its mother, simply because Scripture tells us not to.

We also should not add to what this verse says. Its says not to cook a goat in its mother's milk. It does not say that no meat and dairy can be cooked or eaten together. You certainly don't have to mix meat and dairy if you don't want to, but please keep in mind that this is not a prohibition from the Bible.

Like always I would encourage you to study this passage for yourself and pray for YHWH's wisdom and understanding.

Related posts:
What is Biblically Clean Eating?
What Scripture Says Not to Eat
Understanding 1 Corinthians 10:27