The Doctrine Of Diet

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.

All food meats are clean according to Christ; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

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.

Pepperoni (make from pork) is part of the expanded kosher or Christian diet; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

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).

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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 

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[1] Bukhari, Etime 52; Muslim, Eshrabe 129.

Bacon—A Clean Meat According to the Bible

 Bacon—A Clean Meat According To The Bible

Bodie Hodge M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries April 7, 2025 (Donate)

Bacon cheeseburger, bacon pizza, and bacon with eggs! Throughout the Western world and many part of the globe, bacon—or its cousins—ham and Canadian bacon, are enjoyed in hosts of dishes. It almost seems like second nature when one smells that delicate and wonderful aroma and tastes the sweet smokey flavor of bacon.

Bacon Bits Cooking; Picture by Bodie Hodge

And yet, some don’t eat bacon and they appeal to religious reasons. For examples, practicing Jews and Muslims don’t eat bacon. They have a Kosher and Halal diets respectively. Whereas those who eat bacon, are eating an expanded Kosher diet.

Kosher and Halal

Let me briefly explain what I mean by these terms. A Kosher diet was based on Old Testament law where one only ate clean meats listed in Old Testament Law of Moses. Halal is similar to Kosher for Muslims but has slight deviations based on Islamic rules. Muslims can eat a Kosher diet but Jews would not eat a Halel diet when being consistent.

The idea of cleanliness is a biblical concept by the way. In Genesis 7:2, long before the Law of Moses, God told Noah to take seven clean animals and two of the unclean. This shows that the concept of clean vs. unclean animals existed before the Mosaic Law, though no detailed list is given.

The Law of Moses (especially Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14) later defines and codifies which animals are clean (e.g., those that chew the cud and have split hooves) and unclean (e.g., pigs, shellfish). These laws governed diet, worship, and ritual purity.

So, the relationship is this: the idea of clean animals originated before the Law (Genesis), but the Law of Moses formalized those distinctions with specific regulations for Israel. The Law built upon an existing concept to establish cleanliness under the Old Covenant.

Christian Diet or Expanded Kosher

An expanded Kosher diet brings us to the New Testament. According to the 66 books of the Bible, the shift from Old Testament dietary laws to New Testament additions is built on by the power of God. Bacon, ham, rabbit, shrimp, and lobster are no longer considered unclean—and this centers on the teachings and power of Jesus Christ.

In Mark 7:18-19 (ESV), Jesus says,

And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

The context of this relates to the Pharisees and Scribes attacking Christ for not following the traditions (later written as the Talmud). The traditions are the man-made interpretations of the Old Testament. The problem was that they were neglecting what the Word of God was actually saying due to their traditions. So, they were, whether they realized it or not, elevating man’s ideas to supersede what God said!   

So, Christ showing His power of who He was (God incarnate), did an amazing thing here. So powerful in fact that it is often “glossed over”. Christ, who is God in the flesh, declared all foods clean. This is called an expanded Kosher diet or a Christian diet.

Thus, Christ made pork clean—which is where bacon comes from. But He also made clean lobster, shrimp, rabbit, catfish (non-scaly fish), and so much more. This is an incredible and powerful thing Christ did that affected the entire world.

This statement marks an expansion from Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, where pork, shellfish, and other animals were initially unclean. Since then, they are now clean.

Further Confirmations

Further confirmation comes from Acts 10, where Peter sees a vision of formerly unclean animals and hears God say, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). Though the vision metaphorically refers to unclean Gentiles now being accepted by God, it also reaffirms the dietary change.

Peter’s reaction in Acts 10:14—“Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean”—reveals a moment of resistance to Christ’s authority. Though Peter had walked with Jesus, witnessed His resurrection, and heard His teaching that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19), he still clung to Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.

By refusing what God had declared clean, Peter unintentionally placed tradition above Christ’s revealed will and power. His “No” to the risen Lord showed a hesitation to fully embrace the what Christ had done. It wasn't outright rebellion, but it reflected a struggle to let go of the old in light of the new—a momentary dishonor to Christ’s power to cleanse what was once unclean.

Paul writing by the power of Holy Spirit in the context of eating says in Romans 14:14a (ESV):

“I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself,”

In Colossians 2:16 (ESV), Paul also writes,

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

This reinforces that food is no longer unclean under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant (e.g., Leviticus 11), certain animals were declared unclean. But in the New Covenant, Jesus’ teachings (Mark 7), Peter’s vision (Acts 10), and Paul’s writings (Romans 14, Colossians 2) all affirm that Christ made these meats clean. Therefore, bacon, ham, rabbit, shrimp, and lobster are no longer unclean—because Christ has made all foods clean.

The next time you go to a restaurant or have a meal where ham or bacon are served, don’t forget to thank Christ for what He did and ask for His blessing.