Among followers of Christianity, the question often comes up – can Christians eat crab and other shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and oysters? This issue stems from certain Old Testament laws that restricted the consumption of such seafoods. However, the teachings of Jesus and writings of Paul give us reason to believe modern Christians are not bound by these dietary rules. Let’s take a deeper look at what the Bible says about eating crab and shellfish.
Old Testament Dietary Laws
In the Old Testament, God provided many laws to separate the Israelites as his chosen people These included rules about food, known as kashrut or kosher dietary laws Leviticus 11 lists creatures considered “unclean” and forbidden to eat, including pork, rabbit, eagle, lizards, and more. Specifically, it names crabs, lobsters, shrimp and other shellfish as being off limits (Leviticus 11 9-12).
At the time these laws helped Israel know how to be holy and set apart. The reasons for certain animals being declared unclean are not given. God simply commanded avoidance of them.
Jesus Declares All Foods Clean
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ introduced a new paradigm regarding dietary practices. When questioned why his disciples did not wash hands before eating bread, Jesus stated:
“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (Mark 7:18-19)
He went on to say, “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.” (Mark 7:20-21).
By these words Jesus overturned the Old Testament food laws. He made it clear that spiritual purity is not dependent on what you eat. No food you consume can defile your heart or make you unholy.
This message was later reinforced through a vision given by God to the apostle Peter in Acts 10. Peter saw a sheet containing many “unclean” animals and was commanded by God to “kill and eat”. When Peter refused, God said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15). This signified that following Christ, no animals were to be considered off-limits from a spiritual standpoint.
Paul’s Teachings Support Dietary Freedom
The apostle Paul, who took the gospel to the Gentiles, also wrote extensively on Christian freedom from Old Testament law. In his letter to the Colossians Paul stated, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink” (Colossians 2:16).
To the Romans, Paul wrote that nothing is unclean in itself, but if anyone considers something unclean, then for that person it is unclean (Romans 14:14). His point was that food choice is now a matter of personal conscience and individual conviction before God, not universal law.
Are Christians Required to Keep Kosher?
Based on the teachings of Jesus and apostles like Paul, mainstream Christianity views the Old Testament dietary restrictions as no longer binding. Christians are free to eat shellfish, pork and other previously forbidden foods without spiritual consequence.
Here are some key considerations:
-
The apostles understood Christ’s words as declaring all foods acceptable for consumption.
-
There are no verses in the New Testament requiring Christians to follow kosher laws.
-
The vision given to Peter emphasized that no animal should be called impure or unacceptable.
-
Paul repeatedly affirmed Christians should not let others judge them based on what foods they eat.
Therefore, Christians are not religiously required to avoid crab, lobster, shrimp, pork, or catfish. You cannot find a Scripture prohibiting the eating of these animals after Christ’s death and resurrection.
Should Christians Eat Kosher?
While keeping kosher is not mandated, Christians are free to avoid non-kosher foods if they wish. You may choose to eat kosher out of tradition, health motivations, or personal conviction.
The key is not judging others who do not follow the same dietary standards. As Paul wrote in Romans 14:3, “The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does.”
So while most Christians believe they can freely eat crab, individuals are entitled to their own convictions. If you feel abstaining from pork or shellfish is right for you, then honor that before God. But refrain from condemning those who arrive at a different conclusion.
What About Allergies or Sensitivities?
Some people avoid certain foods not for spiritual reasons, but due to food allergies or intolerances. For example, shellfish allergies are common. Someone with a shellfish allergy obviously should continue avoiding crab, shrimp, lobster and other trigger foods for health rather than religious reasons.
Likewise, some adhere to special diets such as gluten-free, vegan, low-FODMAP, etc. due to medical conditions or other factors unrelated to religion. These dietary needs should be respected as well.
Can Christians Eat Crab? Putting it All Together
-
Old Testament kosher laws forbade consumption of many animals, including pork and shellfish.
-
Jesus declared all foods clean and shifted focus to moral purity of the heart.
-
Apostles like Peter and Paul affirmed diet is a matter of conscience, not law.
-
Most churches teach Christians are free to eat any foods, including crab and pork.
-
Individuals may still avoid non-kosher food by personal conviction, but should not judge others.
-
Respect those who abstain from certain foods for health rather than faith reasons.
So for most believers today, there is no sin associated with eating crab, lobster, bacon, catfish or other previously prohibited animals. The apostles gave up following kosher laws after realizing all foods are considered clean under Christ.
Of course, Christians still aim to honor God in all aspects of life, including their dietary choices. Moderation, sustainability, thankfulness and wisdom should guide your food selections. And care should be taken not to flaunt your freedom around those of stricter conscience. But yes, according to dominant Christian belief, you can eat crab and remain blameless before God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christians and Biblical Diet Rules
Here are answers to some common questions about Christians and Old Testament dietary regulations:
Are Christians allowed to eat pork and shellfish?
Yes, most Christians believe Jesus’ teachings in Mark 7 and Peter’s vision in Acts 10 removed the prohibition against eating pork, shellfish, and other foods labeled “unclean” under the Mosaic Law.
Should Christians eat kosher?
New Testament passages indicate obeying kosher rules is no longer necessary for Christians from a spiritual standpoint. However, Christians may choose to eat kosher for cultural or other reasons if they wish.
Why did God ban certain foods in the Old Testament?
The Bible does not give explicit reasons for God restricting consumption of certain foods in the Old Testament. Scholars speculate it may have been for health, food safety, ritual purity, or cultural identity of Israel.
Do Seventh-day Adventists eat pork and shellfish?
Seventh-day Adventists encourage vegetarian diets and often abstain from pork, shellfish and other foods prohibited under kosher law. But this is from health-focused lifestyle convictions, not a sense of spiritual obligation.
What animals are Christians not allowed to eat?
There are no animals Christians are categorically prohibited from eating in the New Testament. Dietary choice is now primarily a matter of individual conscience. Most believers feel freedom to eat meat from any animal.
Is eating catfish allowed in Christianity?
Yes, modern Christianity places no restrictions on eating catfish or any other fish. The levitical dietary laws that barred the consumption of finless/scaleless fish are not considered binding for Christians today.
Can Christians eat shark?
Yes, sharks do not meet the Old Testament criteria for being a forbidden fish. There is nothing in the Bible prohibiting Christians from eating shark. Some may avoid it for conservation reasons, but it is not scripturally banned.
The Bottom Line – Christ Fulfilled the Old Laws
In conclusion, the coming of Christ nullified the mandatory nature of the Mosaic dietary code. Christians endeavor to please God with upright ethical living, while exercising liberty granted in the New Testament regarding food customs and rituals.
While individuals might avoid certain foods for personal reasons, no animals are off limits for Christians according to biblical doctrine. When asked “can Christians eat crab?” – the resounding answer from Scripture is yes! Through faith in Christ, we are freed from old ritual constraints, able to joyfully receive all foods created by God (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
