Expert: Eric Christy - 3/27/2008

Question
Is it alright to eat meat?  If so, what type of meat?

Answer
Hi Henry,

Sorry for the delay. As for eating meat, the bible is pretty clear about this. Do not eat meat with the blood still in it. And do not eat pork or shellfish. With that said, I eat pork sometimes and eat shellfish occasionally. I risk the wrath of God, I know, but that's what I do.

The reasons I believe for God giving commands not to eat certain meat is because of the danger of disease organisms. If you do not cook meat well enough, you risk getting diseases like Tricinosis from pork, Ecoli from other meats. I don't think there is something spiritually or morally wrong with eating the meat God prohibits. I think God prohibits certain meats because He knows of the danger they present if not properly cooked. There is, however, something mysterious about eating blood. I never eat blood, and God is clear that we are not to eat blood.

After the fall of Adam and Eve, I believe God allowed all foods to be eaten, with the above exceptions. The only meat I eat regularly is chicken and fish. Both of these seem to be biblically okay. I seldom eat steak or beef or pork.

Basically, I eat what I want and I give thanks to God for what I eat and drink. This I believe is the proper attitude to have toward the food and drink we consume.

Eric