The Doctrine Of Diet
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, June 16, 2026 (Donate)
Many people do not realize how much religious belief affects
what people eat. Around the world, diets are often connected to a person's view
of God, mankind, animals, and morality.
For example, Judaism has traditionally followed a clean
"kosher" diet based on the Old Testament dietary laws. Islam
follows a "halal" diet, which has its own religious
restrictions and requirements (e.g., eating camel and drinking camel urine for
medical reasons or as they command in the Hadith, “When one of you eats, let
him not wipe his fingers until he has licked them or had
someone else lick them.”[1]).
Many Hindus avoid eating beef because cows are viewed as
sacred. Some modern secular religious philosophies also influence diet. Donald
Watson (founder of modern veganism) and subsequent vegans tend(ed) to argue
that humans and animals are essentially equals because both supposedly arose
through evolution from common ancestry. As a result, vegans choose not only to
avoid meat, but also products that come from animals, such as eggs, milk, or
honey. These religious and philosophical convictions often shape dietary
choices.
Christian Diet (Expanded Kosher)
Christians also have a doctrine of food, but it is based on the whole counsel of Scripture. In the beginning, God gave mankind plants for food (Genesis 1:29). After the Flood, God expanded man's diet and specifically permitted the eating of animals (Genesis 9:3).
Under the Mosaic Covenant, God distinguished between
"clean" and "unclean" animals for cleanliness diets
(Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). These laws served various purposes within
Israel's covenant relationship with God, including setting Israel apart from
the surrounding nations but also for health reasons at the time.
However, the New Testament teaches that Christ declared all
foods clean (Mark 7:18-19). Later, God reinforced this truth through Peter's
vision in Acts 10, where Peter was told not to call unclean what God had
cleansed. The Apostle Paul likewise taught that believers are not to be judged
concerning food regulations (Colossians 2:16-17) and that every creature of God
is good when received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:3-5).
As a result, Christians are free to eat foods that were once
prohibited under the Mosaic Covenant because they are now clean. Pork products
such as bacon, ham, pepperoni, and pork chops may be eaten. Animals such as
rabbits, catfish, shrimp, and lobsters may likewise be eaten with a clear
conscience as they are now clean—a task all-too-easy for God to do. The Old
Testament distinctions regarding clean and unclean meats no longer apply in the
same way to those who are in Christ. Christians still eat a clean diet, but
this clean diet is now expanded, which is why many call it an expanded kosher
diet.
This does not mean Christians should eat recklessly (gorge yourself,
gluttony, don’t eat food with dirt on it or rotting/expired meat, and be sure
to cook it properly). The Bible still teaches principles of wisdom,
self-control, moderation, thankfulness, and stewardship of the body. Gluttony
is condemned (Proverbs 23:20-21), and believers are instructed to honor God
with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Food should be received with
gratitude rather than abused.
Historically, the opening of the diet by Christ categorically
changed cultures shaped by Christianity. Throughout much of Europe, the
Americas, Australia, and other regions influenced by Christian teaching, foods
such as bacon, ham, eggs, shrimp, pepperoni, lobster, and similar items became common
parts of the diet. Restaurants in these regions typically serve such foods
without concern for Old Testament restrictions.
Some people object to the idea that God would change dietary
requirements. Yet this presents no difficulty for Christianity. The same God
who established dietary restrictions for Israel also had the authority to modify
those restrictions by making more things clean. Jesus Christ is not merely a
teacher or prophet; He is God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9).
Therefore, He possesses full authority to declare foods clean (with the power
to truly make them clean) and to establish the dietary practices of the New
Covenant.
The "Doctrine of Demons" and Food Restrictions
(1 Timothy 4:1-5)
In 1 Timothy 4:1-5, the Apostle Paul warns that some people
would depart from the faith and follow "deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons" (v. 1). He then gives examples of such false teachings, including
"forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God
created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the
truth" (v. 3, NKJV).
Paul is not condemning voluntary fasting, temporary
dietary choices, health-related restrictions, or personal
preferences (I despise the taste of oysters!). Rather, he is clarifying and addressing
religious systems that teach that certain foods are inherently spiritually
defiling or that abstaining from them is necessary for righteousness,
holiness, or salvation. Such teachings deny the freedom that Christ secured
for believers and undermine God's declaration that these food items are good
for one’s diet.
Paul explains that God created foods to be received with
thanksgiving, and he concludes, "For every creature of God is good, and
nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is
sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (vv. 4-5, NKJV). This reflects
Christ's teaching that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19) and Peter's vision in
Acts 10, where God declared formerly unclean animals to be clean.
Therefore, the "doctrine of demons" regarding food
is not merely avoiding certain foods by personal choice, cultural custom, or
medical necessity. It is the false religious teaching that God forbids foods He
has declared clean, or that spiritual standing before God depends upon
abstaining from particular foods. Such teachings replace God's Word with
man-made regulations and obscure the liberty believers have in Christ.
Conclusion
Diet is never merely about food. It reflects deeper beliefs
about God, creation, mankind, and authority. Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, secular
philosophies, and Christianity each have dietary implications flowing from
their worldviews.
According to Scripture, Christians are free to eat all kinds
of food because Christ has made all foods clean. Nevertheless, believers
are called to receive God's provision with thanksgiving, wisdom, moderation,
and a desire to glorify God in all things—even in what they eat and drink (1
Corinthians 10:31).
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
*Images generated by Chat GPT
