What Foods Are Forbidden By The New Testament ?

Common Sense Commentary: I must introduce this blog by saying, if a child or adult has already developed an allergy to certain foods or anything else, they certainly have to avoid that thing. Nevertheless, without allergic reactions, literally all foods are acceptable to eat. That is made clear in this verse...."Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry (common today), and commanding to abstain from meats, (also common) which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." 1 Tim.4:1-5. This verse is in reference to those people who have a personal revulsion to, or belief, it is wrong to eat certain foods and convince others of their false theories. Their concern should be on what comes out of their mouths more than what foods go into it. Jesus addressed this fallacy in Matt.15:9-12 ... "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?" 

Moderation is always in order no matter what is being eaten. Phil.4:5. "Let your moderation be known...." Your vision will usually "Let it be known" who is "moderate" in their eating and who is not.

Some people won't touch pork, ham or bacon because it was not on the Old Testament list of "clean" animals. But God had Simon Peter eating "all manner" of animals. We know that some Jews ate pork because there was a pig farmer, or is that a rancher, in Matt. 8, who had a bunch of pigs. I can't imagine how he managed to stay in business in Israel. Pigs only have one use. They don't give milk or lay eggs and footballs were unknown at that time.  He may have been violating Leviticus, but somebody around there had bacon for breakfast cause you don't milk pigs or ride them to the rodeo. Neither do they keep the weeds grazed down in the field like sheep or goats, or make the best of pets ... I'm sure God doesn't care if you have a dog, cat or a pig as a pet.

I read, a while back, that allergies were such a problem these days because children were never allowed to play in the dirt or touch anything unclean and they failed to develop a strong immune system.  When I was a boy, all we had to play with was dirt, sticks and rocks, and took a bath once a week ... in cold water. Jim Powell and I also wandered the dry, hot sandy hills of west Texas and drank brown water out of cow tanks (ponds) with the cows standing in the water drinking with us.

There are a ton of people who won't eat "red meat" of any kind for any one of a dozen health reasons, others who won't eat "the other white meat", but, again, Jesus told Peter to "arise, kill and eat".  The record: "I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Acts 11:5-9. God would not have used that object lesson, illustrating his acceptance of Gentiles, if it were still unlawful to eat certain kinds of meat. It would have been an unthinkable contradiction.

 Then, there are folks who feel fish are too chancy to eat because they spoil so easily or have a fishy taste. Some are also allergic to shell fish, or think they may be, because of that fishy smell.  I don't know what they are supposed to smell like. I was once allergic to shell fish ... oysters.  They made me queasy one time when Ron McNeil and Johnny Queen and I were somewhere and each ordered a dozen raw oysters. One of those wise-guys insisted on paying the  entire bill, so the other said "OK, you can pay for it but I am ordering another round for each of us for which I will pay." So we each ate another dozen.  That second dozen was almost as good as the first dozen but, though I had dined sufficiently, I was now feeling guilty and insisted on ordering another round for each of us. It was that third dozen I was allergic to.  I know there was something wrong with that last round because it made all three of us queasy at the same time .... on that thirty sixth oyster. We almost lost all 108 oysters that day and the money, plus tip, we paid for them. We all discovered, at the same time, that we were allergic to shell fish. But the allergy must have cured me; I still like them .... but only when I am alone... on the coast ... in Florida ... at Joe's Raw Oyster Place ... in Steinhatchie or Apalachicola.  Haven't been back in years ... Was only there once.

Then there are vegetarians who eat no meat at all, and others who won't eat eggs or milk or potatoes or tomatoes or even cereals. I saw an add which called grains and grain products, "Cow feed" and warned of its dangers.  If that is true, you had better not eat honey which is bee food, or any vegetables which are bug food... at least in our garden.

Romans 14 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye.... For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs (vegetables).  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.  Who art thou that judgest .... One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind....  He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks....But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.... So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean .... But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.... For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.... For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed  are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.....Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom.1:23.

Study: Vegetarians Less Healthy, Lower Quality Of Life Than Meat-Eaters

ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) – Vegetarians may have a lower BMI and drink alcohol sparingly, but vegetarian diets are tied to generally poorer health, poorer quality of life and a higher need for health care than their meat-eating counterparts.

A new study from the Medical University of Graz in Austria finds that vegetarians are more physically active, drink less alcohol and smoke less tobacco than those who consume meat in their diets. Vegetarians also have a higher socioeconomic status and a lower body mass index. But the vegetarian diet — characterized by a low consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol that includes increased intake of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products — carries elevated risks of cancer, allergies and mental health disorders.

Vegetarians were twice as likely to have allergies, a 50 percent increase in heart attacks and a 50 percent increase in incidences of cancer.

The cross-sectional study from Austrian Health Interview Survey data and published in PLos One examined participants dietary habits, demographic characteristics and general lifestyle differences.

The most significant dietary habit difference between meat-eaters and vegetarians concerned their BMI and alcohol consumption – with both being higher for those who consume meat.

Many past studies have instead put an emphasis on the health risks associated with red meat and carnivorous diets, but this study points the other dietary direction.

Overall, vegetarians were found to be in a poorer state of health compared to other dietary groups. Vegetarians reported higher levels of impairment from disorders, chronic diseases, and “suffer significantly more often from anxiety/depression.”

Subjects who consumed lower amounts of animal fat were also linked to poor health care practices, such as avoidance of vaccinations and a lack of preventive care.

Chronic problems associated with vegetarians and people eating carnivorous diets rich in fruits and vegetables were linked to more frequent visits to doctors, which the study authors suggest requires public health programs to reduce the health risk due to their nutritional factors.

The researchers conclude: “Our study has shown that Austrian adults who consume a vegetarian diet are less healthy (in terms of cancer, allergies, and mental health disorders), have a lower quality of life, and also require more medical treatment.”

“Therefore, a continued strong public health program for Austria is required in order to reduce the health risk due to nutritional factors.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases for all dietary groups. A 2009 study from the CDC found that about 1 in 200 young Americans, or 367,000 US children, are vegetarians.