For hundreds of years, religious leaders and scholars have talked about and argued about the dietary rules in the Bible. In particular, many people are interested in the question of whether or not it is okay to eat shrimp. This article will look at what the Bible says about eating shrimp and what it says about other food restrictions as well.
Can Christians Eat Shrimp? Examining the Biblical Perspective
Eating shrimp and other shellfish is a debated topic among Christians. While some believe it is prohibited by the Bible, others argue New Testament teachings free Christians from Old Testament dietary restrictions. In this comprehensive article, we’ll examine what the Bible says about eating shrimp and explore the broader biblical principles regarding dietary laws.
The Old Testament Laws on Eating Shellfish
Within the Old Testament Law given to Israel through Moses, God provides extensive instructions regarding “clean” and “unclean” foods. Several key passages outline which animals were permitted or forbidden for consumption:
Leviticus 11 9-12 – This passage states that anything in the seas or rivers without fins and scales is “detestable” and not to be eaten This includes shellfish like shrimp, lobster, oysters and crabs.
Deuteronomy 14:9-10 – This passage reiterates the instructions from Leviticus, clarifying that only creatures in the waters with fins and scales may be eaten. Shellfish are excluded.
These laws served several purposes for Israel:
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Taught obedience to God’s commands
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Prevented pagan idolatry and rituals
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Set Israel apart from other nations
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Provided health benefits in the ancient world
While the Old Testament clearly prohibits shellfish consumption for ancient Israelites, the New Testament provides updated teachings from Jesus on dietary practice.
Jesus Declares All Foods Clean
In Mark 7:1-23, Jesus responds to criticism from the Pharisees regarding hand washing before meals. Jesus explains that what defiles a person comes from their heart, not from eating with unwashed hands. He states in verse 19, “For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” In saying this, Jesus “declared all foods clean” (NIV).
No longer were certain foods prohibited. Jesus’ priority was spiritual purity, not ritual cleanness. By declaring all foods clean, Jesus removed the Levitical dietary restrictions which forbade certain foods, including shellfish.
Peter’s Vision Reiterates God’s Declaration
In Acts 10, the apostle Peter has a vision of a large sheet filled with unclean animals, including those prohibited by the Law. A voice from heaven tells Peter to “kill and eat”. When Peter objects to eating anything unclean, the voice declares, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This vision prepares Peter to preach the Gospel to the Gentile Cornelius, showing that Old Testament dietary laws separating Jews and Gentiles were abolished. As Peter later realizes, “God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean” (Acts 10:28 ESV). Through this vision, God Himself reiterates that all foods are clean.
Apostolic Decree Confirms Dietary Freedom
In Acts 15, early Church leaders gather at the Council of Jerusalem to address whether Gentile converts must adhere to rituals like circumcision and dietary laws in order to be saved. The apostles and elders decide that the Old Testament Law does not apply to converts, only faith in Christ. Their letter states, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality…” (Acts 15:28-29). By not including dietary laws, they confirm followers of Jesus have freedom regarding food.
Paul’s Letters Instruct Believers on Dietary Freedom
Paul’s letters provide helpful instruction on how believers should exercise their freedom regarding diet:
1 Corinthians 10:25-26 – Because the earth belongs to God, feel free to eat any meat sold in the marketplace without question of conscience.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 – Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. Those who forbid certain foods are false teachers.
Colossians 2:16-17 – Don’t let anyone judge you regarding food or sacred days like Sabbath which were a “shadow” of Christ.
In his letters, Paul consistently affirms the dietary freedom believers have in Christ. While idols and sexual immorality are to be avoided, restrictions on foods are not binding.
Principles for Dietary Discernment
While Scripture permits the eating of all foods, including shellfish, for Christians, several principles can help guide our dietary choices:
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Focus on inner purity, not ritual cleanness – What matters most is the condition of our heart before God. Our diet does not affect our standing before God.
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Exercise freedom responsibly – Consider how your food choices affect others. Does it violate another’s conscience or cause them to stumble in their faith?
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Practice good stewardship – Make wise, moderate food choices guided by health, ethics and sustainability. Be a steward of your body which is the temple of God.
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Give thanks to God – Remember all food is a gift from God to receive with gratitude.
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Follow your convictions – Each believer must follow their conscience, guided by Scripture and the Spirit.
While the Bible clearly teaches that dietary laws forbidding shellfish no longer apply to Christians today, it’s important we exercise wisdom and discernment in how we apply this freedom. Our choices should be guided by faith, love and conscience before God.
Additional Questions:
Can Christians eat pork based on the Bible?
Yes, Christians can eat pork because the New Testament lifts the Old Testament prohibitions on consuming pork. While Leviticus 11 banned pork as unclean, Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7. The apostolic decree in Acts 15 confirms followers of Jesus are not bound by Jewish dietary restrictions. As well, Paul affirms in 1 Timothy 4 that no food is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving. So the teaching of the New Testament gives Christians freedom to eat pork. However, personal convictions may lead some believers to abstain from pork for ethical or health reasons. Each Christian must be guided by their conscience before God when making dietary choices.
What did Jesus say about clean and unclean foods?
In Mark 7:1-23, Jesus responds to criticism that his disciples ate with ceremonially unclean hands. Jesus teaches that no food that enters our bodies can defile us or make us unacceptable to God. Rather, sin begins in the heart. By saying this, Jesus set aside the Old Testament food laws which prohibited certain foods as unclean. The evangelist Mark adds the interpretive comment in verse 19 that by saying this, Jesus “declared all foods clean” (NIV). So Jesus clearly taught that under the New Covenant, no foods should be considered ritually clean or unclean. Sin is a heart issue, not an issue of eating or not eating certain foods.
Should Christians follow Old Testament dietary laws?
No, Christians are not required to follow the Old Testament dietary laws under the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus. Passages like Mark 7, Acts 10 and 15, and 1 Timothy 4 make it clear that food prohibitions based on ritual cleanliness no longer apply to followers of Jesus. As Hebrews 8:13 states, the old covenant laws are “obsolete and outdated”. Christians have freedom regarding dietary choices. Their focus should be on living by Kingdom values like love and righteousness from the heart, not adhering to external food regulations. However, individual Christians may choose to abstain from certain foods for ethical or health reasons as long as they do not judge others (Colossians 2:16). Each person must be guided by biblical principles, conscience and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Can Christians eat pork?
Yes, Christians are generally allowed to eat pork. The Israelites were told not to eat pork as part of their dietary laws in the Old Testament. However, the New Testament gives a different view.
As Jesus says in Mark 7:14–23, what makes someone unclean is not what goes into their mouth, but what comes out of their heart. This suggests that Jesus relaxed the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament.
Additionally, in Acts 10, Peter sees a vision in which God says all foods are clean, even pork. People see this vision as a sign that the Old Testament rules about what Christians can and cannot eat no longer apply to them. The early Christian leaders made a decision in Acts 15 called the “apostolic decree” that confirmed that non-Jewish people who became Christians did not have to follow the Jewish dietary laws, such as the rule that they could not eat pork.
Because of this, most Christians today don’t follow the dietary rules in the Old Testament, and pork is commonly eaten without any religious restrictions.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that different Christians or Christian groups may have their own dietary practices or restrictions based on how they understand biblical teachings or their own personal beliefs. When it comes to specific dietary practices in a Christian setting, it’s always best to talk to your own faith tradition or spiritual leaders.
What Does the Bible Say About Eating Shrimp Really?
The Old Testament contains a variety of dietary laws that were given to the Israelites by God. These laws are explained in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. They say that you can’t eat certain kinds of meat, like pork and shellfish.
Only fish with fins and scales was thought to be clean enough to eat when it came to seafood. Shellfish, including shrimp, were deemed unclean and therefore prohibited.
Historically, these dietary laws were significant in helping the Israelites distinguish themselves from other cultures and religions. Some researchers also think that the dietary laws were good for the Israelites’ health because some foods were more likely to be contaminated or make them sick.
In the New Testament, Jesus teachings on dietary restrictions are more flexible than those in the Old Testament. As Jesus says in Mark 7:14–23, what makes someone unclean is not what goes into their mouth, but what comes out of their heart. This suggests that Jesus is more concerned with inner purity than outward adherence to dietary laws.
Still, early Christians didn’t all agree on whether or not to follow the dietary rules in the Old Testament. In Acts 15, the apostles and elders got together to talk about this problem. They decided that non-Jews who became Christians did not have to follow the Jewish dietary rules. This choice was made because they believe that faith in Jesus alone saves people, not following strict diets.
Different interpretations of the Bibles dietary laws exist today among Jewish and Christian communities. Orthodox Jews, for example, still follow the dietary rules set out in the Old Testament, but many Christians think that these rules were taken away when Jesus came.
Modern Christians may also choose to follow certain dietary rules, like vegetarianism or veganism, for moral or health reasons. Ultimately, the Bibles teachings on dietary restrictions emphasize the importance of inner purity and obedience to Gods will.
Is Eating Shrimp a SIN? || What does the Bible say?
Can you eat shrimp in the Bible?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the key biblical passages about eating shrimp, examine the historical context, and help you understand the principles behind the biblical dietary restrictions regarding shellfish. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible does not expressly forbid eating shrimp in the New Testament.
Is eating shrimp a sin?
While it is important to stand up for our beliefs, we should be careful not to judge others harshly for their actions. For example, some Christians believe that eating shrimp is a sin because it is considered an “abomination” in the Bible. However, other Christians interpret this passage differently and believe that it is okay to eat shrimp.
Did Jesus eat shrimp & shellfish?
In summary, while the Old Testament prohibited the consumption of shrimp and shellfish for ancient Israelites as part of their Law, Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law ushered in a New Covenant of freedom for believers. The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not bound by ancient dietary restrictions.
Did God change his mind about eating shrimp?
It’s not that God all-of-sudden changed his mind, but it’s that the reasons for why originally commanded them to not eat shrimp were reasons that would no longer be relevant or pertinent to the Christians who would be living under the New Covenant (we’ll explain this a little bit more later in this article).