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.
Eating shrimp is a controversial topic among Christians. On one hand, several Old Testament verses prohibit the consumption of shellfish like shrimp. On the other hand, the New Testament teaches that Christians are no longer bound by the Old Testament dietary restrictions. So what’s the real answer – should Christians eat shrimp or not? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what the Bible says about eating shrimp and explore the arguments on both sides.
Old Testament Prohibitions Against Eating Shrimp
There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the consumption of shrimp and other shellfish Here are some of the key passages
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Leviticus 11:9-12 states that anything living in the water without fins or scales is an “abomination” and should not be eaten. This would include shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters and others.
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Deuteronomy 14:9-10 similarly instructs the Israelites not to eat anything from the water unless it has fins and scales. Shellfish are off limits according to these dietary laws.
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Isaiah 65 4 condemned eating “the broth of forbidden meat” which some translations interpret as shellfish or pork.
So in the Old Testament Law given to Israel, eating shrimp and other shellfish was clearly prohibited. At the time, God gave these dietary restrictions to the Israelites to set them apart from neighboring peoples and cultures. The food laws were intended to make Israel holy and pure, as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45).
Why Were Shellfish Prohibited in the Old Testament?
Though the Old Testament is clear about prohibiting shrimp, it does not give an explicit reason why. However, we can infer a few possible reasons:
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Clean vs Unclean The Mosaic Law classified animals as either “clean” or “unclean” Land animals must chew the cud and have split hooves to be clean Sea creatures must have fins and scales (Leviticus 11 9-12). As shellfish lack fins and scales, they were viewed as unclean.
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Danger of Spoilage: Shellfish are more prone to spoilage and disease when undercooked. The prohibition kept Israelites from harm.
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Pagan Association: Some pagan cultures consumed shellfish in religious ceremonies. God may have prohibited them so Israelites would avoid pagan practices.
Regardless of the reason, the Old Testament plainly instructs Israelites not to eat shellfish like shrimp under the Mosaic Law. But does this prohibition still apply to Christians today?
What the New Testament Teaches about Dietary Laws
When we turn to the New Testament, we find several passages that indicate the Old Testament dietary laws are no longer binding for Christians. Here are some key verses:
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Mark 7:18-19 records Jesus declaring all foods “clean” in his teaching on inner purity.
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Acts 10:9-15 describes God telling Peter in a vision to “kill and eat” unclean animals, showing the dietary laws are no longer in effect.
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Romans 14:14 states that no food is unclean in itself, meaning dietary restrictions are a personal choice, not a command.
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Colossians 2:16-17 instructs believers not to let anyone judge them based on what they eat or drink under the Old Testament Law.
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1 Corinthians 10:25-27 teaches that believers can eat whatever is sold in the market without questioning on conscience grounds.
So according to the New Testament, Christians are free to eat shrimp and other foods prohibited under the Mosaic Law. The dietary restrictions were part of the old covenant which Jesus fulfilled and superseded with the new covenant (Hebrews 8:13). As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by following the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Different Perspectives Among Christians Today
Given the biblical evidence from both Testaments, there are differences of opinion among Christians today about eating shrimp. Here are the three main perspectives:
1. It is permissible: Most Christians believe all foods, including shrimp, are acceptable under the new covenant. The dietary laws were abolished in the New Testament, so Christians can in good conscience eat shrimp and other shellfish without spiritual consequences.
2. It is forbidden: Some groups like Seventh-Day Adventists prohibit eating shellfish, pork and other “unclean” meats. They build their diet directly off Old Testament commands.
3. It is a personal choice: Other Christians view the dietary laws as fulfilled, but also recognize personal reasons (health, conscience, habit) may lead some believers to still avoid shellfish and pork. Each person must be convinced in their own mind (Romans 14:5).
So while there is agreement that Christians are free from the Law, there are diverse viewpoints on how to apply this freedom to dietary choices like eating shrimp.
Principles for Conscience-Bound Decisions
Since Christians differ on eating shrimp, what biblical principles should guide our decision-making? Here are a few key guidelines:
- Our righteousness is based on faith in Christ, not food laws (Galatians 2:16).
- Let each person decide what their conscience permits (1 Corinthians 10:25-29).
- Do not judge or despise those who eat differently (Colossians 2:16, Romans 14:3).
- Avoid causing others to stumble by what you eat (1 Corinthians 8:9-13).
- Give thanks to God and eat to His glory whatever your conscience allows (1 Corinthians 10:30-31).
Regardless of our stance on shrimp, we must show love and grace to other believers who hold different convictions. Our righteousness before God depends on Christ alone, not what we eat for dinner. When in doubt, pray for wisdom and guidance by the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).
In wrapping up, should Christians eat shrimp or avoid it? As we have seen, both sides can build a biblical case. But perhaps the debate itself misses the bigger picture. Jesus taught that obedience issues from the heart, not merely rule-following (Mark 7:20-23). He also instructed us to “seek first the kingdom of God” rather than worrying about food (Matthew 6:25-34).
Rather than obsessing over dietary dos and don’ts, God calls us to devote ourselves to pursuing His righteousness every day. Our energy is better spent sharing the Gospel, making disciples and shining the light of Christ through acts of love. If we focus on exalting Jesus in all we do, decisions about eating shrimp fade to secondary importance under the new covenant. What matters most is bringing glory to God, not just avoiding certain foods.
So is it a sin for Christians to eat shrimp? The Bible indicates we have freedom to choose based on personal conscience. If we eat, we honor the Lord. If we abstain for moral reasons, we honor Him. In either case, our chief concern should be magnifying Jesus Christ as Savior and King through our lives.
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.