Brenda Khan
The Bible does not directly address vegetarianism as a dietary preference for health reasons, but it does indicate that eating meat is acceptable. The Levitical priests, for example, ate sacrificial animals under the Sinai Covenant. However, some Christians recommend a vegetarian diet for reasons connected to the Christian faith, such as concern for God's creation and animal rights and welfare. Others are attracted to a vegetarian diet for its health benefits, as it tends to be high in vitamins, fiber, and phytonutrients, and low in calories and fat. There is also evidence that God intended for humans to be vegetarians, as in Genesis, God gave Adam and Eve plants and vegetables to eat, and made no mention of allowing them to eat animal flesh.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | Spiritual, Nutritional, Ethical |
| Bible verses | Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 1:29-30, Romans 14:1-4, Luke 24, John 21, Mark 7:5-21, Proverbs 12:10, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:21 |
| Bible characters | Adam, Eve, Jesus, John the Baptist, James the Just, Daniel |
| Other | Jesus's teaching in Mark 7 suggests that dietary choices are a matter of "Christian liberty" |
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What You'll Learn
God's original intention for humanity's diet
The Bible has been used to support both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. However, the interpretation of God's original intention for humanity's diet is a subject of debate. Here is an exploration of the different perspectives on this topic:
The Case for a Vegetarian Diet
Some Christian vegetarians and vegans argue that God's original intention for humanity's diet was vegetarianism. They base this belief on the book of Genesis, specifically Genesis 1:29, where God tells humans: "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food." This verse indicates that God intended for humans to eat only plants and fruits, and not animals. The fact that this statement is one of God's first instructions to humans suggests that it was meant to establish the rules for their diet.
Additionally, the book of Genesis also mentions that God gave the same plant-based diet to the animals, which suggests that this was the original diet for all creatures. The argument is further supported by the fact that in the Garden of Eden, before the Fall of humanity, plants and trees were all that humans needed.
Christian vegetarians also point out that Jesus's teachings in the New Testament emphasize the status of one's heart and its relationship with God, others, and the world. They interpret this to mean that dietary choices should reflect compassion and concern for God's creation, including animals.
The Case for a Non-Vegetarian Diet
On the other hand, most Christians interpret the Bible as allowing humans to eat animals. They point to Genesis 1:26–28, which gives humans dominion over creation, and Genesis 9:3, where God tells Noah and his sons, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you." This is understood as permission to eat animals, granted either before or after the Fall of humanity, depending on the interpretation.
Another perspective is that while God may have initially intended for humans to eat only plants, this changed after the Fall. This view suggests that God reluctantly permitted the eating of animals due to human sinfulness and the Fallen state of humanity.
Practical Considerations
It is worth noting that some Christians choose a vegetarian or vegan diet for reasons beyond biblical interpretation. These reasons may include ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and the treatment of animals in the food industry. Others may be attracted to the potential health benefits of a vegetarian diet, which is typically high in nutrients and lower in calories and fat.
In conclusion, while the Bible can be interpreted to support both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets, the decision ultimately comes down to individual Christians and their understanding of God's intentions.
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Jesus's teachings on dietary choices
However, others argue that Jesus did not reject the Torah's dietary laws but rather the oral interpretations and traditions of men that contradicted God's commandments (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). They claim that Jesus, being a Jew, understood the oral law to nullify the inspired commandments given by God to Moses (Mark 7:21). Additionally, Peter's vision in Acts 10 is often cited as evidence that Jesus did not abolish dietary laws. In this vision, Peter, a disciple of Jesus, is instructed to kill and eat various animals, but he refuses, suggesting that he knew Jesus had not declared all meats clean (Acts 10:7,28).
The Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus ate meat, and some early Judeo-Christian Gnostics, like the Ebionites, believed that Jesus was a vegetarian. Christian vegetarians and vegans emphasize that their dietary choice aligns with their faith's spiritual, nutritional, and ethical values. They argue that God's initial diet for humans was plant-based (Genesis 1:26-28) and that God permitted the eating of animals as a concession to human sinfulness. They also highlight the Bible's encouragement of compassion for animals (Proverbs 12:10) and the negative impact of the meat industry on God's creation.
In summary, while some interpret Jesus's teachings as promoting dietary freedom, others emphasize the importance of aligning dietary choices with spiritual, ethical, and environmental values derived from Christian teachings.
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The Bible's New Testament on vegetarianism
The Bible has been interpreted in various ways when it comes to vegetarianism and veganism. Some Christians maintain that Jesus's teaching in Mark 7 demonstrates that Christians are free to eat whatever they want, and that dietary choices are a matter of "Christian liberty".
However, Christian vegetarians and vegans counter that the point of Jesus's teaching in Mark 7 is that his followers should concern themselves with the status of their heart, which should "inform our relationship with God, with each other, and the world". They argue that humans are called to rule creation in the sense of caring for it and seeking its flourishing, just as a good sovereign would.
The Bible also says that in the earliest days of creation, all of God's creation, even animals, were vegetarian. When God blessed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he said: "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it". This is supported by Genesis 1:26-28, which has often been used by Christian vegetarians to justify a plant-based diet.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul states that people of "weak faith" "eat only vegetables", although he also warns both meat-eaters and vegetarians to "stop passing judgment on one another" when it comes to food. The original Bible, however, does not use the word "meat" to refer specifically to animal food. The word "flesh" is used instead, and in some cases, the word "meat" is used to mean food in general.
Some Christians choose a vegetarian or vegan diet because of reports about how animals are treated in the food industry, and because of the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Church leaders who have recommended vegetarianism include John Wesley, William and Catherine Booth, William Cowherd, and Ellen G. White.
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The Old Testament's stance on meat-eating
The Bible, and specifically the Old Testament, has been interpreted in various ways when it comes to its stance on meat-eating. Some interpret the Bible as promoting vegetarianism or veganism, while others argue that it permits meat-eating.
One interpretation of the Old Testament suggests that God did not intend for humans to eat meat. This view is supported by Genesis 1:26–28, which states that humans are given dominion over creation and that they are prescribed a plant-based diet. The original diet provided by God in the Garden of Eden was vegetarian, consisting of "every plant yielding seed" and "every tree with seed in its fruit" (Genesis 1:29). This interpretation suggests that dominion should be understood as stewardship, where humans are called to care for creation and seek its flourishing.
Additionally, Christian vegetarians and vegans argue that God's preference is for peace throughout creation and that the introduction of meat-eating was a concession to humanity's fallen state. They point to passages such as Numbers 11, where the Israelites tired of manna, which was likely not an animal product. They also emphasize the suffering and waste associated with factory farming, which dishonors God's creation and perpetuates violence.
However, there are also interpretations of the Old Testament that support meat-eating. For instance, after the Great Flood, God tells Noah, "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things" (Genesis 9:3-6). This suggests that God permitted the eating of animals. Similarly, in Deuteronomy, when the Israelites are given the Promised Land, they are told, "when the Lord your God has enlarged your territory... and you crave meat and say, 'I would like some meat,' then you may eat as much of it as you want" (Deuteronomy 12:20).
The Old Testament also contains laws and regulations regarding the consumption of meat, indicating that it was a common practice. For example, Leviticus provides instructions for draining the blood of animals and covering it with earth before eating (Leviticus 17:13-14).
Overall, while the Old Testament does not contain a direct commandment regarding meat-eating, it provides a basis for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian interpretations. It emphasizes the responsibility of humans as stewards of God's creation, which includes treating animals with compassion and avoiding cruelty. The decision to eat meat or follow a vegetarian diet is ultimately a matter of personal conviction and interpretation of biblical teachings.
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Ethical, spiritual, and nutritional reasons for Christian vegetarianism
Christian vegetarianism is the practice of adhering to a vegetarian lifestyle for reasons connected to or derived from the Christian faith. The three primary reasons for Christian vegetarianism are spiritual, nutritional, and ethical.
Ethical reasons for Christian vegetarianism
Ethical reasons for Christian vegetarianism may include a concern for God's creation, a concern for animal rights and welfare, or both. Some Christian vegetarians and vegans argue that Jesus's attitudes towards others lead one to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. They are aware of the suffering and pain experienced by animals raised and killed for food, the waste of natural resources, and the impact on humans and the rest of creation. They also acknowledge that flesh is not a dietary necessity for most Western humans. Therefore, they choose not to participate in a system that dishonors God's creation and perpetuates violence.
Spiritual reasons for Christian vegetarianism
The two most prominent forms of Christian vegetarianism are spirituality-based and ethically based. Spirituality-based vegetarianism is adopted as an ascetic practice or a way of opposing the sin of gluttony, with the hope that it will draw the person to God. Some Christian vegetarians also believe that the dominion that humans are given over non-human animals in Genesis 1:26–28 should be understood in light of Genesis 1:29–30, which decrees a plant-based diet for all creatures.
Nutritional reasons for Christian vegetarianism
Pescetarianism was widespread in the early Church, among both the clergy and laity. Some religious orders of various Christian Churches still practice pescetarianism, including the Benedictines, Franciscans, Trappists, Carthusians, and Cistercians.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no explicit request for a vegetarian diet in the Bible. However, some interpret God's words in Genesis 1:29 as evidence that God intended for humans to be vegetarians: "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed... and every tree with seed-bearing fruit... to you it shall be for food".
Some Christians interpret the Bible as suggesting that God reluctantly permitted the eating of animals due to human sinfulness. Therefore, some choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet for ethical reasons, out of concern for God's creation and the welfare of animals.
The Bible indicates that eating meat is acceptable, and the Levitical priests had to eat sacrificial animals under the Sinai Covenant. However, it is also stated that those who follow Jesus are free to eat what they believe is right.
The Bible does not explicitly state that Jesus ate meat. Some cite the absence of lamb at the Last Supper as evidence that he was a vegetarian.
