Can you be a vegetarian AND a Christian?

Question

Acts 10:9-13
Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon 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.

Romans 14:2
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

1 Timothy 4:1-3
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 ... commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Answer 1

can you think for yourself and be a christian?

Answer 2

Yes, you can be. I have been for about 8 years in fact. Indeed, there are circumstances where one should be: if eating meat will cause someone to stumble in their faith. An example of this is given in Romans 14 (read the whole chapter for the context), as well as in 1 Corinthians 8 (again, the whole chapter).

But you are quite right in supposing that we should not claim it is sinful to eat meat. After all, from the beginning it was lawful and even required to make sacrifices to God from among the animals (Genesis 4:1-5).

Although it should be noted that animal sacrifices are no longer required of us, since the Ultimate Sacrifice has already been made by Jesus on the Cross (Hebrews 6:13-10:18, esp. 9:24-28; 10:12-18)..

Also, God did make meat lawful to us after the Flood (Genesis 9:1-4). But the requirement not to eat blood is still in force even in the New Testament (Acts 15:1-29, esp. 28-29). This seems to be in some sense for the sake of the Jewish people, to avoid offending their religious sensibilities.

That having been said, on the one hand, Jesus declared all foods to be kosher (Mark 7:1-23, esp. 17-19). On the other, He also advocated that we do things 'the way God intended them from the beginning' - an example of that is His reasoning for not getting a divorce (Matthew 19:3-6).

And it is very true that from the beginning, God had intended for humans to eat only fruit, and animals to eat only vegetables (Genesis 1:29-30). So, while it is not 'ritually unclean' to eat meat, one may, for the sake of one's Quaker peace testimony, for example, choose to refrain from killing animals or even plants.

Answer 3

OK in God's plan man is to be a vegitarian thats why when He created Adam & Eve they dont eat the animals only the vegetation & fruits. Acts 10:9-13 this denotes to Christian (Gentiles) because Gentiles eat meat so God sanctified all sort of animals so that the Gentiles may enjoy the salvation of Christ & still be w/in the norms of their accpeted behavioral society.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 this denotes that we abstain from meat since in Israel all meat are fo sacrifice hence offered to God or to other gods. Jews & Christians must abstain from meat that were offered to gods in that case we are not breaking God's law.

Answer 4

Yes you can be both! Don' take scripture out of context or repeat them just because you have heard them preached.

Read on in Acts: 10:17. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,............ 19. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.......28. 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 SHOWED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY MAN COMMON OR UNCLEAN.


Read on in Romans 14:3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and LET HIM WHICH EATETH NOT JUDGE HIM THAT EATETH for God hath received him............................ 12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

1 Timothy 4: Who is FORBIDDING anyone to eat meat. It is a choice.
The only time meat was forbidden to be eaten that I am aware of in History was by the Catholic Church on Fridays and during Lent or Advent.

Why do you feel it necessary to attack someone that does not follow youor choices?

EDIT: After reading Phil's comment I decided to edit my original comment and add the following.
Seventh Day Adventists do lean toward and enocurage vegetarianism. It is not required, You are not doomed or ostracized if you choose not to be vegetarian.

Why? It has been shown to be conducive to a healthier life.
Mostly because it is part of what God originally intended and what will be when He sets up HIs kingdom again.

It is the original diet set out by God, not only for man, but for everything with life.

Genesis 1:
29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Meat was not eaten until after the flood. It was at this point in time that God instilled the fear of man into animals.

Genesis 9
1. And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
2. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
3. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

I personally believe we need to be living as close as possible to the way it will be in heaven when we arrive. We are told throughout the Bible there will be no more death (this includes animals).

Rev. 21 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

We are also told the animals will not kill each other not hurt children.

Isaiah 11:
6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

If this is what we are going to be doing in heaven ..... Why not start getting ready now and enjoy a healthier life?

Source(s):
Bible studies. Medical studies support vegetarinanism


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Answer 5

so, why not? I don't see what's wrong with it other than it's cruel to animalls and it's not completely natural and fresh when you get it from Mcdonald's (or any other place) because of steroids and stuff. Yet the bible forbids unclean flesh such as pigs and frogs. You don't have to eat meat. I rarely eat meat myself.

Answer 6

I find it amusing that all the people who say that you can be both have failed to reference the material in the question at all. I thought Kero's question was just cruel and unmerited coming into this question, but now I think it might need to be asked and answered.

Answer 7

Biblical character of Daniel was a vegetarian, and royal foods are BLOODY!

There are a few denominations of Christianity are encouraging vegetarianism. One of them is 7th Day of Adventists. Many are vegetarians.

Answer 8

Yes you can be a Christian and be a vegetarian. You dont' have to eat meat if you don't want to.

Answer 9

the bible as diet guide , what's next ? a tv show ? oh I just realized we have those already ...
Maybe it's time you start thinking for yourself

Answer 10

Geez...Christians!?!?!?

Answer 11

Sure. I have friends who are.