SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE VEGETARIANS?

Carl Knott 

Vegetarianism is popular trend today in many areas of the world. November 1st has been declared the “universal day of vegetarianism.” Restaurants and food stores now offer meat-free menus, for example, a “veganburger”. One stricter form of it is “veganism”. Moderate vegetarians do not eat red meats, but do eat fish and seafood (pescatarians) or dairy and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarians). Strict vegans would eat only plant-based products and avoid articles such as cleaning products or clothing derived from animals.

Some people follow a semi vegetarian diet — also called a flexitarian diet — which is primarily a plant-based diet but includes meat, dairy, eggs, poultry and fish on occasion or in small quantities.”¹

     Vegetarianism is strongly associated with a number of religions that originated in ancient India (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) that advocate “ahimsa” (nonviolence). For example, Jainism, which abhors violence of all kinds, prescribes strict vegetarianism. Among Protestant Denominations the Seventh Day Adventist group promotes vegetarianism, not based on Scripture but rather on the teachings of their founder Helen White. Satanism is also very vegan-friendly. Vegetarian practitioners of Wicca would reason that the vegetarian diet is a natural extension of the Wiccan Rule (“Rede”) to harm none. Many ‘new-agers’ consider vegetarianism an important aspect of living in harmony with nature. The vegetarian diet is often connected to ecological concerns as well as the welfare and rights of animals. But what should the Christian’s attitude be?

            At the outset we should distinguish between those whose diet is for the management of food allergies or some other medical reason, and those who assign a philosophical, moral or religious value to avoiding meats and other animal products.

            Apart from dietary matters prescribed by physicians, believers should be guided by Scripture. We should take care not to be drawn into or follow trends that are simply the mindset of society, current diets that are ‘in vogue’, or take advice from social media influencers who may promote certain lifestyle changes linked to ethical or moral viewpoints which are not in keeping with the Word of God. Our values and choices should be submitted to and controlled by the Word of God. Two important texts that give broad principles to guide us in the matter of food are Romans 12.2 and 1 Corinthians 10.31. Keeping them in mind will help us with “the big picture.”

 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12.2).

 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10.31).

             Firstly, the divinely inspired apostle Paul taught that all Christians should refuse conformity to the world, in order that we may prove – by experience – God’s good, acceptable and perfect will. Following the world’s thoughts, values, fashions and trends is contrary to, leads away from, God’s good will. So, in every area of life, we should be oriented and guided by Scripture, not by society, popular opinion, or popular trends.           

            Secondly, he laid down the principle of doing everything to the glory of God, that is, to glorify and please Him. This includes such mundane matters as eating and drinking, and extends to every area of life, “whatsoever ye do.” Even some Christians today say, “It’s my life, I’ll do what I want”, and yet they find themselves doing what the world wants. Our lives are not our own (1 Cor. 6.19–20), for we have been bought at the highest of prices, the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1.19). Clearly one who is really a Christian has surrendered his right to run his life and do as pleases him, and that took place the moment he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. At the foot of the cross we gave up our right to live for ourselves. According to Galatians 1.4 the Lord Jesus Christ “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father”. According to the divine will, a Christian now lives “unto God” (Rom. 6.11, 13; 7.4), not according to the flesh (Rom. 8.12). We are constrained, not by law, but by the love of Christ (2 Cor. 5.14), not by self-love, nor by love of the world. Our Lord died for all, “that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5.15). Sadly, these powerful truths are not taught today among many Christians. The principles embedded in the above cited texts influence every area of a Christian’s life, and yes, that includes their diet.

 

 The Old Testament Diet

      Some Christians cite Genesis 2.9 and 16 as the basis for vegetarianism. “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food” (Gn. 2.9). “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat” (Gn. 2.16). In the beginning God in His great goodness and wisdom provided everything needed for mankind and no meat was in that diet.

            This is true and admirable. However, the matter deserves further careful thought. Surely, we all agree that we are not living in the garden of Eden, nor can we return there in any way or fashion. Innocence has been lost, and much has happened since then. In other Scriptures outside of the context of Eden, God has spoken clearly to us about food. It is important that we consider all that God has to say on a matter in order to understand and do His will.

            First of all, in a general way, the pagan idea of non-violence to animals is not taught in Scripture. Proverbs 12:10 does teach owners to be considerate to their animals. But when the LORD God made coats of skins to clothe Adam and Eve (Gen. 3.21), it did involve the death of an animal. Animal sacrifices were practiced in Genesis and clearly taught in Scripture.

            After the flood, God explicitly taught that animals were allowed to be eaten from then on. Consider Genesis 9.3, the Divine instruction to Noah, his family and their descendants. “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” What was prohibited was the eating of blood (v. 4), not flesh.

            Furthermore, when the LORD in a pre-incarnate appearance visited Abraham, we read that He ate meat and animal products.

 “And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat” (Gen. 18.6-8 emphasis added).

             Surely this would have been the ideal moment to instruct Abraham in the virtues of vegetarianism, but the Lord did no such thing. “They did eat.”

            In Exodus we find the Israelites, by Divine command, killing the Paschal lamb, roasting and eating it (Ex. 12), on the eve of their departure. Exodus 16.13, Numbers 11.31 and Psalm 105.40 record how God provided quail for His people in the desert.

            The book of Leviticus contains God’s extensive and explicit instructions concerning animal sacrifices. Oxen, sheep, goats and birds were to be offered to the Lord. Some were burnt offerings – entirely devoted to Him and completely consumed on the altar (Lev. 1). Others were peace offerings, or offerings for sins or trespasses (Lev. 4-7). The priests and the people participated in these offerings by eating certain portions of those meats as God indicated. An attentive reading of these chapters shows that it would have been impossible for God’s holy priests to be vegetarians, since they were required to eat meat from many of the offerings. In Leviticus 11 God through Moses gave the nation its “dietary code,” what was allowed to be eaten and what was prohibited. Vegetarianism was not taught. For example, in Leviticus 11.2 we read, “These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.” They were also to eat fowl, fish and even some insects. In Numbers 18.17-18, God commanded that the firstborn cows, sheep and goats were to be sacrificed and eaten before the Lord. In Deuteronomy 12 we read that Israelites were permitted to kill and eat animals, “thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after… of thy herd and of thy flock… the roebuck and the hart… and thou shalt eat the flesh” (vv. 15, 20-22, 27). They were not to eat the blood, but only the flesh. In Deuteronomy 14 the dietary code was again given, as in Leviticus 11, to the new generation of Israelites who were about to cross the Jordan and possess the land. He did not tell them to revert to the veganism of Eden once they were in the promised land. From Scripture we conclude that Israelites were never vegetarians, and God did not at any time command or teach them such a practice.

       Some today would insist on the potential harmful environmental or health related effects of eating meat. Such persistence would seem to impugn the wisdom and goodness of the Lord, for it is He who said to eat. Could He then be mistaken? This of course is impossible. The vegetarian diet is neither the key nor the universal secret to health. Remember that from Genesis 9.3 onward animals and plants are both in humanity’s diet. The restrictions of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 applied only to the nation of Israel, who were under the Mosaic law.

 The New Testament Diet

             When we come to the New Testament, we find important changes regarding diet, and especially meats. These were first made by the Lord Himself, and later clearly taught to the churches by His apostles, as apostolic doctrine.

            We direct the reader’s attention first of all what Christ taught publicly in Jerusalem, in Mark 7.14-16.

 “And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

             He was answering criticism aimed at His disciples for eating with unwashed hands. The Jews to this day place great importance on proper and frequent washing (Mr. 7.3-4, 8), for ceremonial cleanliness from defilement as well as for physical hygiene. But Christ taught them that defilement comes from inside – the heart, not from without. As we continue to read, we note the Lord broadens the context to deal also with food.

 “Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?” (vv. 18-19)

             In the phrase, “purging all meats”, meats is literally “foods” – that which is eaten. The meaning is: “making all foods clean.” William MacDonald notes that this marked the end of the legal dispensation. There is no longer any list of foods not to be eaten. The “dietary code” was no more. The Lord did not teach or institute vegetarianism at this point, but gave men to understand that all foods could be eaten. During His earthly ministry He and His disciples ate meat, including the Passover lamb, and fish (Lk. 24.42-43; Jn. 21.9-13). When He sent out the seventy to announce the kingdom of God, their instructions were, “and in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Lk. 10.7).

            The apostle Peter, a devout Jew, was taught an important lesson by a heavenly vision in Acts 10. He was presented with animals that were considered unclean under the law (Lev. 11; Deut. 14), and told to kill and eat them.

“And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10.11-15).

             The principle taught here is that if God cleanses something, it is not to be considered unclean and refused. It was illustrated by the animals – food – and then applied to the invitation to go preach to a Gentile gathering. Peter learned the lesson and went and preached to Cornelius and his family and friends. “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (v. 28). The reasoning is from lesser to greater – from foods, specifically meats, that are no longer unclean, to Gentiles who are no longer unclean, and both are true. By the word of Christ all foods were made clean. Peter was reminded of this and taught that God is no respecter of persons (v. 34).

            In 1 Corinthians 10.24-27 the believers are taught that they may purchase whatever food is sold in the marketplace, and eat whatever food is put before them, “asking no question for conscience sake” (v. 25). It was certainly not prohibited to eat meat.

            The apostle Paul later taught the importance of no restricting the Christian diet, and warned that in the last days some men would teach errors like vegetarianism.

 “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, and commanding to abstain from meats, 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).

             Here we have the express words of the Holy Spirit. First, He warns about the latter times. Those times are no longer future; we are living in them. The great apostasy from the faith is around us on every side. The faith once delivered to the saints (Jud. 3) is of little concern to many. Spirit guides and “ascended masters” through voices and visions seduce and teach men diabolical doctrines. Their “Christian” religiosity is nothing but hypocrisy, and like the false prophets in Jeremiah’s day (Jer. 23), they teach lies. They are able to do so with a straight face and insist on the truth of their teachings, because their conscience is “seared with a hot iron”. This phrase translates one word (kauteriazo), which is literally “cauterized” – something done with a heated object, that results in dead nerves and loss of feeling (Eph. 4.19).

            They forbid marriage (v. 3), perhaps considering it an outdated institution, but certainly teaching that celibacy is the right way. Thus, Roman Catholicism has its celibate priesthood, and nuns are taught that they are married only to Christ.

    But their false teaching extends to the diet. They command to abstain from foods, and this certainly includes the imposition of vegetarianism. Catholics were taught not to eat meat on Friday, nor during Lent (unless the family was affluent enough to obtain a “bull” – dispensation – from the bishop). In England in 1809, William Cowherd founded the Bible Christian Church, a Christian vegetarian sect. Those who wished to join were required to sign a pledge that committed them to a vegetarian diet and abstention from alcohol. Cowherd was one of the philosophical forerunners of the Vegetarian Society founded in 1847. In the United States, Helen White (1827-1915) founded the Adventist sect and taught that meat excites passions and should not be eaten. For example,

 “649. Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet. Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs. The eating of flesh is unnatural. We are to return to God's original purpose in the creation of man. —Manuscript 115, 1903 (CD 380.2).”²

             She attempted to revert to the diet in Eden, which we have already shown to be null for today, by God’s command to Noah, by the instructions of the Mosaic Law, by the word of Christ and by apostolic teaching. By White’s rules, the Patriarchs, prophets and priests, our Lord and His apostles are all in error! The apostle Paul contradicts her and teaches that no food, including meats, is to be refused. Notice his inspired reasons.

            First, he says they are “meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” Not to be refused, but “received,” not with fear or a guilty conscience, but “with thanksgiving”. Those who know and believe the truth, are aware that our Lord declared all foods clean (Mr. 7.19). The truth of God does not obligate or even permit us to abstain from foods for spiritual reasons.

            Second, he explains. “For” means “because.” “Every creature of God is good.” When we read the first chapter of Genesis, we find the word “good” mentioned six times (vs. 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). No food is inherently unclean or evil.

            Third, we are told, “and nothing to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving” (v. 4). He repeats the word “thanksgiving” from verse 3, to emphasize a grateful attitude. “Nothing” is an absolute term and includes meats. We are not to refuse any food on spiritual grounds. Understandably those with food allergies or some medical restriction for other reasons should keep to their assigned diet. “Conscience sake” (1 Cor. 11.25, 27) indicates spiritual reasons, not medical ones.

            Fourth, he gives this reason, “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (v. 5). It isn’t a question of meat simply being “not evil” and therefore “permissible.” Scripture says it should not be refused but gratefully received because it is actually “sanctified”! God’s Word sanctifies it, as we have seen in Mark 7.19 and other texts. We should not call unclean or unhealthy what God has sanctified. Meat is also sanctified by prayer. As Christians, when we eat, we begin by giving thanks to God. Everything He made is good. So, we thank Him, and eat.

            H. A. Ironside told of eating in a diner once, and when his food was served, he bowed his head and gave thanks. Another customer nearby noticed his bowed head and asked if he was well. He replied in the affirmative and said he was simply thanking the Lord before eating. “I don’t bother with that,” the man commented. “I’m hungry, they bring my food and I just start eating and enjoy it!” “Yes,” replied Ironside, “my dog does the same thing.”

            Believers should not have scruples about food. Personal tastes differ, of course. We all have preferences, likes and dislikes, favorite foods and those we would perhaps not choose, and those choices are not right or wrong in themselves. Sometimes it is a question of how hungry we are. Proverbs 27.7 says, “The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet”.   Regarding preferences, Deuteronomy 14.26 mentions “whatsoever thy soul desireth”, thus allowing for personal choice. However, there is no biblical reason to renounce meat and become a vegetarian.

            “Eat whatever is put before you,” is good biblical advice for old and young alike. Therefore, it would be most inadvisable for assembly elders and other servants of the Lord to adopt vegetarianism. Their lives should be an example to other believers of how to practice what Scripture teaches, even in matters of diet. And every believer should remember to not conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of his mind. This is done by means of the Holy Scripture. In this way we will be able to better glorify God, and know His will, which is good, acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12.2).

 

Carl Knott resigned his commission as an Air Force officer in 1980 and left his career as a military pilot to serve the Lord. He was discipled by William MacDonald and co-labored with him for 5 years before going to Spain as a missionary in 1986. He and his wife Ruth still live and serve in Spain. Carl frequently visits and teaches in Hispanic countries. He also edits a free Spanish monthly magazine, EN ESTO PENSAD, translates and authors books, and by faith directs a non-profit Christian publishing ministry of primarily Spanish books, and a few also in English. For more information visit the website: berealibros.wixsite.com/asambleabiblica/english

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¹ www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/vegetarian-diet/art-20046446

²  https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/384.3093#3155