Should Christians only eat Kosher meat?
EDIT: I have since written a three part series on this topic. see: part 1, part 2, part 3. If you landed here wanting to know why Christians don’t eat kosher you’ll probably find part 2 most helpful. Feel free to leave me a comment or send an email to { reuben [at] salagaras.info }
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I am glad that Christ has set me free to enjoy bacon (this post not withstanding)!
However, I hadn’t really noticed that the prohibition against eating blood (Lev 17:1-16) might be distinct from that of eating only ‘clean’ animals (Lev 11). Reading ‘from Paradise to Promise Land’ drew my attention to it:
‘Although the early church abandoned the distinction between clean and unclean foods on theological grounds, it is interesting to observe that they still insisted that Gentiles should adhere to the principle of not eating blood. This is seen in the conclusion reached by the Council of Jerusalem, which was called to clarify the position of Gentiles regarding circumcisionand the law of Moses. James summarised the Councilof Jerusalem’s findings by noting that the Gentile believers shoud be instructed ‘to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood’ (Acts 15:20).Whereas the OT regulations concerning clean/unclean foods were no longer relevant under the new covenant established by Jesus Christ, the theological basis for the OT prohibition against the eating of blood remained unchanged …’
T.D Alexander, From Paradise to Promised Land. p. 233.
It makes me wonder two things. When did this practice stop? When did the Christians stop eating kosher food? and is there really any theological reason to consider the blood of an animal to be inedible to Christians now?
love to hear your thoughts. If people are interesed in the discussion i’ll do some more digging and thinking…
What else does TD Alexander say about it?
Is the problem with blood itself, or with capitulating to anti-God practices/culture, or something else?
Here’s my gut starting point with a parallel example — I figure there’s nothing wrong with body mods in themselves (tattoos, hair dos, etc.), but in some cultures, certain body mods have certain anti-God connotations and should therefore be avoided by God’s people. That seems to tie in with food dedicated to idols, etc.
Digging and thinking — yes please. Would love to hear what you reckon.
Reply to ArthurHe doesn’t say much more, but does point out that Christians are to ‘drink christ’s blood’ (Jn 6). It comes in ‘new testament links’ section of the chapter on exodus.
I think (for alexander) the problem is less with difference/anti-god practices (although that is part of it) than with respect for the life giver. i.e. all life (human + animal) belongs to God. the life is in the blood. not eating but giving back the blood shows respect for the life-giver.
I’ll post more in the next few days…possibly my first post series? we’ll see – had a quick dig around and it seems interesting.
Reply to reubeni reckon Christians stopped eating kosher as soon as non-Jews became Christians. but the blood question is interesting… what does this say about black sausage? and pork blood (mmm, szechuan hotpot!)?
Reply to psychodougieI haven’t read the book in question, but one thing which springs to mind is that, in practice, it is not the blood issue which dominates kosher cooking – it’s actually the not mixing of milk and meat, coupled with being selective about what you eat. I would argue these issues died out quite quickly – i.e. the cleanliness laws and rules on what you can eat are considered in the gospels and acts.
On the blood issue, coupled with the strangled meat and food sacrificed to idols, 1 Corinthians 10 anyone?
Reply to SamCohen@Doug – i reckon you’re right with the non-jews thing. hence the reason to work out a position early on a la acts 15. The blood sausage issue actually came up for 2nd c christians! Tertullian says that they wouldn’t eat it!
@Sam – thanks, i was hoping you’d chip in. that’s a helpful clarification re: kosher food. Partly i was just trying for a noticeable title
surprisingly i’ve had a number of searches land at this post looking for kosher christian food or similar!
I’ve posted again earlier today (which you’ve prob seen) and noted 1 cor 10 there. Paul talks about meat offered to idols (part of the acts 15 requirements) but not about strangled/blood does he? granted, they would have no idea how meat brought at the roman market was prepared though. also, I think it begs the question: was paul ignoring the terms agreed on in acts 15?
Reply to reuben