Recently on Instagram I asked if anyone had questions about Biblically clean eating. I was taken aback by the huge response! It was literally hundreds of questions in a few days. I did my best to answer as many as I could. I figured I would share my responses here for those who didn't get to see this.
For clarification, this is how I define Biblically clean eating.
What about Acts 10:9-16? People use this to say all food is clean.
This chapter later explains the "kill and eat" vision Peter had to mean that no people are unclean. It's not talking about food at all. See the full post A Hebraic Perspective on Peter's Vision for more.
The dairy and meat separation. It's very confusing to me.
The basis for separating these come from Exodus 23:19 which says not to boil an animal in its mother's milk. There are a huge range of interpretations on this. Many scholars believe this is about mixing meat with that animal's specific mother's milk (as opposed to mixing goat meat with the milk of any other goat), 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.
Study and pray about this. Base your decisions off of Scripture and not what someone else says.
Great reminder that we do see milk served with meat in Scripture. Abraham served meat with milk and curds. Many would say that the instructions on how to eat weren't given until later, so therefore Abraham didn't know not to do this. However we see in Genesis 7 that Noah knew the difference between 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.
See this post for step-by-step help getting started.
Cheering you on during the hard time of transition! It gets way easier as you go!
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 Joes' 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.
What's your thoughts on eating a vegan/plant based diet?
I think that can be a great thing. In Daniel we see that he switched to a plant based diet in order to avoid unclean meats. 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 when you have the option to eat clean meats and dairy, I would just remind everyone that this a personal choice and not a Biblical commandment.
Romans 14.
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.
What are things to avoid that might get missed?
Some beef or turkey products will have pork casings. Double check the ingredient label when you're buying any type of sausage product.
What are things to avoid that might get missed?
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 handwashing. That's why they asked, "Why do your followers eat with unwashed hands?" and not, "Why are your followers eating unclean things?"
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:
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