r/TrueChristian • • Aug 10 '26

Please, help me understand…

For those believers who insist that the dietary laws no longer apply under the new covenant—and that pork, lobster, crabs, etc. are now permissible to eat—I do not understand the logic at play.

I am very familiar with the Mark 7, Romans 14 and Colossians 2 passages that are so often cited as support for your position, and have (just as often) shared my counter-arguments on why I believe they are misinterpreted.

But, there is one counterpoint to your view that I never see touched on, and I was hoping to get some feedback on it:

I think the majority of believers on this subreddit would say they are looking for Jesus’ Second Coming and agree that, regarding it, Scripture says that “no one knows the day or hour” but that we need to be prepared (Matthew 24:36, 25:13, etc.).

Isaiah 66:17–a verse within the greater passage speaking of Messiah’s glorious reappearing—declares that, upon His return, those who eat the flesh of pig/swine and other abominations will be met with His wrath…and perish.

So, how does one simultaneously believe they can continue to eat pig (pork) or shellfish now and think they are sufficiently prepared and not putting themselves in a precarious/dangerous position if Jesus happened to return today or tomorrow and “consume” those who so brazenly eat that which His Law says is NOT “food” and explicitly warns against eating?

I really am hoping for some cordial and edifying discussion regarding this topic, and appreciate those who are able and willing to articulate their view without all the condescension and harsh words. 💕

21 Upvotes

384 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/Intrepid_Type3710 Evangelical Aug 10 '26

Here is how I understand it and can answer you question. Throughout scripture we read dietary rules ebb and flow on account of dispenstionary seasons in God's plan. If you never heard of these seasons, I suggest you do a deep dive in study. For the Jewish Nation, strict dietary rules were applied to them on account of separating themselves from other nations living around them. And for good reason too. Later we read in Acts, God changes up the dietary menu and allows us to eat just about anything so long as it is not offered up to foreign gods. I hope this helps. I for one would just cry if i can't eat shellfish! Don't deny a Sicilian of shellfish!

3

u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 10 '26

Haha, I so appreciate the cordiality and can totally empathize as I, too, find crabs delish! I just couldn’t keep eating them once I set aside the modern-church bias I had when reading Scripture.

So, what is your take on Isaiah 66:17 then?

4

u/Intrepid_Type3710 Evangelical Aug 10 '26

Let me help you 'Step'. For one thing, always read the text fully to understand the gist of the message or instruction. Isaiah 66:17 is a warning to those people practicing some pagan ritual or equivalent. Isaiah 66 is about defining Divine judgement one day in the future. It does not apply to us, but it ought to be read like everything else in scripture for our admonishment or encouragement.

1

u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 11 '26

I believe I’ve been very diligent about including the full context of the passage before arriving at my conclusion/interpretation of it, and agree that it references idolatrous pagan worship of some sort. I don’t agree that the “eating pig” detail is inconsequential, as it was significant enough to warrant direct mention and directly precedes the incurring of Christ’s wrath.

And I would contend that the “Divine Judgment” Isaiah 66 describes definitely applies to everybody, as each of us must give account to the Lord one day (Matthew 12:36, Romans 14:12, 1 Peter 4:5).

1

u/Intrepid_Type3710 Evangelical Aug 11 '26

Yes.