I read a book called “What Would Jesus Eat?” a few years ago, and I’m inclined to agree with you. I avoid pork myself, especially after a friend of mine bought a pork burrito from a street seller and got a parasite in his brain!
But doesn’t the apostle Paul say somewhere (don’t have a Bible with me; can’t look up the exact verse,) that every man should follow his own conscience as far as what foods to eat or avoid, and not judge each other? I always took that to mean that it’s okay now to eat previously forbidden foods, (though they might not be as healthy as other choices.) Respectfully, what do you think?
I think Paul said the Judaizers are jealous of Christians' freedom, so you're right on the money with what you sought to quote. Paul never forbade wine or any food except that sacrificed to idols, and that because it would be a stumbling block to others of weaker faith. Those wishing to hold office in the Church are told certain things to avoid and ways to live, but that is about the extent of his admonitions ... what amazed so many pagans in the early days of the Chruch was the restraint Christians exhibited.
Thank you for your response.
The verses you're referring to might be:
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
However as the next verse makes clear this is referring specifically to meat that had once been sacrificed in idol worship:
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof:
In Paul's time an issue for early Christians was whether or not they should eat meat that was once used in idol worship. As I understand it, an animal would be sacrificed and then later it's meat sold in the meat market. Paul's take was that it's okay to eat this meat with a clear conscience, but don't dig too deep into where it came from. However if another Christian would be offended by it you shouldn't eat it.
Nowhere though does it tell Christians to eat meat that God prohibited them to eat...i.e. pork. The meat sacrificed to idols was most likely bulls.
Another chapter that is often misinterpreted is Romans 14. But again this chapter is either referring to meat devoted to idols, days devoted to fasting or perhaps both.
Please understand though that this isn't my idea, or what I think. What I choose to believe is God's original injunction against eating pork.