What does the Bible say about clean and unclean foods?

The question of clean and unclean foods is a topic that has intrigued believers for centuries and continues to be a subject of much discussion and debate. To understand what the Bible says about clean and unclean foods, it is essential to delve into both the Old and New Testaments, as well as to consider the cultural and theological contexts in which these dietary laws were given and later reinterpreted.

In the Old Testament, the concept of clean and unclean foods is primarily found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 provide detailed lists of animals that the Israelites were permitted to eat (clean) and those they were forbidden to eat (unclean). For example, Leviticus 11:3-8 specifies that animals that chew the cud and have split hooves are clean, while others, such as pigs, are unclean. Similarly, Leviticus 11:9-12 outlines that fish with fins and scales are clean, whereas those without these features are unclean.

The purpose of these dietary laws was multifaceted. They served as a means of distinguishing the Israelites from other nations, promoting holiness and obedience to God. In Leviticus 11:44-45, God says, "For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." These laws were part of the larger Mosaic covenant, which included various moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations designed to set the Israelites apart as God's chosen people.

In addition to their symbolic and theological significance, some scholars suggest that these dietary laws also had practical health benefits. Many of the animals deemed unclean, such as pigs and shellfish, are more likely to carry parasites and diseases if not properly cooked. Thus, adhering to these dietary restrictions could have helped protect the Israelites from foodborne illnesses.

However, the New Testament brings a significant shift in the understanding of clean and unclean foods. Jesus himself began to challenge the traditional Jewish dietary laws. In Mark 7:14-23, Jesus teaches that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of their heart. He says, "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

This teaching emphasizes that spiritual purity is more important than dietary regulations. Jesus' focus on the condition of the heart rather than external observances laid the groundwork for the early Christian understanding of purity and holiness.

The apostle Peter's vision in Acts 10 further underscores this shift. In this vision, Peter sees a sheet being lowered from heaven, containing all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean. A voice tells him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." When Peter objects, saying he has never eaten anything unclean, the voice responds, "What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:13-15). This vision not only signifies the abolition of the old dietary laws but also symbolizes the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. Peter later understands this vision as God's way of showing him that he should not call any person impure or unclean, leading to the baptism of the Gentile Cornelius and his household.

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of clean and unclean foods in his epistles. In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, Paul discusses the matter of eating food that has been sacrificed to idols, which was a contentious issue in the early church. Paul advises believers to act according to their conscience and to avoid causing others to stumble. In Romans 14:14, he writes, "I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean." He emphasizes the importance of love and consideration for others, urging believers to avoid eating anything that might cause a fellow Christian to fall into sin.

Paul's teachings highlight the principle of Christian liberty, where believers are free from the strictures of the Mosaic Law but are called to exercise their freedom responsibly and lovingly. This perspective aligns with the broader New Testament theme that Christ's sacrifice has fulfilled the requirements of the law, allowing believers to live under the new covenant of grace.

In summary, the Bible's teaching on clean and unclean foods evolves from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Old Testament dietary laws served to set the Israelites apart and promote holiness, but they also had practical health benefits. In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles reframe the concept of purity, emphasizing the importance of the heart and spiritual condition over external observances. This shift reflects the broader theological transition from the Mosaic covenant to the new covenant in Christ, where believers are called to live in the freedom of grace while exercising love and consideration for others.

As non-denominational Christians, we can appreciate the historical and theological significance of the dietary laws while recognizing that they are not binding under the new covenant. Our focus should be on cultivating a pure heart, loving God, and loving our neighbors, as these are the true marks of holiness and obedience in the Christian life.