When it comes to food, Christians can be a confusing bunch.
We apparently believe that abstinence is the best recipe for holiness of spirit and flesh, but we also have churches in just about every town with an abundance of steak houses, taverns, and other establishments that serve pork products.
We won’t go so far as to suggest that there might be some profoundly hypocritical behavior underlying all this – no, no; let’s not commit cow-ardice by assuming anything nefarious or inconsistent.
Instead, let’s explore why Christians eat pork and whether or not we ought to consider abstaining from pig meat in our diets.
After all, there are many good reasons why Christians don’t eat pork…
Is it allowed to eat pork in Christianity?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated, as there is no one answer that applies to all Christians.
In general, however, pork is not considered to be an allowable food for Christians.
This is because Pork is considered to be an “unclean” food, according to the dietary laws laid out in the Bible.
These laws are generally understood to be no longer binding on Christians, but many still choose to follow them as a way of honoring God and showing respect for His Word.
Therefore, while it is not strictly forbidden for Christians to eat pork, it is not something that is typically done by some Christians based on their personal convictions.
Why do Christians eat pork?
Many people are surprised to learn that Christians are not prohibited from eating pork.
In fact, the Bible does not explicitly forbid the consumption of pork.
So why do Christians eat pork? There are a few reasons.
First, pork is a delicious and versatile food.
It can be cooked in many different ways, making it a great option for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Second, pork is relatively inexpensive, which makes it an accessible option for many families.
Third, pork is a good source of protein, providing essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly.
For these reasons and more, Christians enjoy eating pork as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Why some Christians don’t eat pork?
For many Christians, the answer to why they don’t eat pork is simple: it’s what the Bible says.
In both the Old and New Testaments, there are numerous references to the fact that pork is an unclean food that should not be eaten.
For example, in Leviticus 11:7-8, it states that “And the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses.”
This is just one of many passages that make it clear that Christians shouldn’t eat pork.
However, there are also some Christians who don’t believe that the Bible is clear on this issue.
They point to verses like Mark 7:19, which says that “Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile them.”
They argue that this verse indicates that it doesn’t matter what we eat, as long as we have clean hands.
As a result, they believe that eating pork is a matter of personal preference rather than a Biblical mandate.
Ultimately, whether or not Christians choose to eat pork is a personal decision.
Some believe that the Bible is clear on this issue and abstains from eating pork as a way of honoring God.
Others believe that the Bible is not clear on the issue and eat pork as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Whatever the decision, it should be made with prayer and thoughtfulness, as we seek to honor God in all that we do.
Can Christians eat bacon?
Some Christians argue that bacon is a type of unclean meat that should not be consumed, while others maintain that the Bible does not expressly prohibit the eating of bacon.
The debate typically centers on two different interpretations of a passage from Leviticus 11:7, which states that pigs are “unclean” animals.
Those who believe that Christians should not eat bacon interpret this passage as a prohibition against consuming pork products.
However, others argue that the passage is referring to the ceremonial cleanliness of pigs, and not to their edibility.
As a result, the question of whether or not Christians can eat bacon remains a matter of debate among believers.
What does Bible say about eating pork?
In the Bible, there are a few different instances where pork is mentioned.
In Leviticus 11:7-8, God lists off the animals that are clean for eating, and pig is not included on that list.
However, in Deuteronomy 14:8, God says that it is okay to eat unclean animals if they have been properly prepared. So, what does that mean?
Well, some people believe that since God specifically listed the clean animals in Leviticus, then we should avoid eating pork altogether.
Others believe that as long as the pork is properly prepared – meaning it is cooked thoroughly – then it is safe to eat.
In the book of Leviticus, God lays out a number of laws regarding diet and cleanliness and specifically mentions that pork is not to be eaten.
It’s unclear exactly why pork was singled out in this way, but some scholars believe it may have been due to the fact that pigs are scavengers and can easily become contaminated with disease.
Others believe that the ban on pork was simply a way to differentiate between the clean and unclean animals.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide what they believe the Bible says about eating pork.
Eating pork in the Bible new testament?
In the Bible, there are a few instances where eating pork is mentioned.
In the book of Leviticus 11:7-8, God gives Moses a list of animals that the Israelites are allowed to eat, and pork is not on the list.
This has led some people to believe that eating pork is prohibited in the Bible.
However, there are also instances where eating pork is not mentioned as being prohibited.
For example, in the book of Acts, Peter has a vision from God in which he is told to eat any animal, including ones that are considered unclean.
As a result, Christians have disagreements about whether or not eating pork is acceptable.
In the New Testament, there are a few mentions of eating pork.
In one instance, Jesus is asked by a Gentile woman to heal her daughter and he does so.
Afterward, his disciples ask him why he ate with her, since she was not Jewish.
Jesus replies that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out (Mark 7:14-23).
This would seem to indicate that eating pork is not inherently wrong.
Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide what they believe on this issue.
Summary
Many Christians believe that it is wrong to eat pork.
After all, the Bible does say that God has forbidden the eating of pork in the book of Leviticus.
However, there are a number of reasons why Christians may choose to eat pork anyway.
First, many Christians interpret the Bible in a more symbolic way and thus do not believe that the prohibition on eating pork applies today.
Second, some Christians point out that the book of Leviticus also prohibits a number of other activities that are not considered taboo today, such as wearing mixed fabrics or getting tattoos.
As such, these Christians argue that the prohibitions against eating pork should be viewed in the same way.
Finally, some Christians simply enjoy eating pork and see no reason to avoid it.
The decision of whether or not it’s ok to eat pork is a personal one for each Christian to make.