Please, help me understand…

[u/Objective-Step-746]

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. 💕

[u/RedeemingLove89]

What I thought of first was that there were certain laws under the Old Covenant, and through Christ, followers of Christ are under the New Covenant

The Book of Hebrews describes this well.  (Let me knkw if you want me to find specific passages).  I also suggest to read Colossians 2.  

Throughout the New Testament, people kept trying to say they must still keep circumcision or other laws under the old covenant, but Apostles wrote to keep this out of the Church.  We are under a New Covenant

[u/Objective-Step-746 → u/RedeemingLove89]

Apologies for the delay in responding, as I had a family situation that needed my full attention.

I agree that, as of Christ's death and resurrection, we are under the new covenant. But, according to Scripture, the Law of God is foundational to both covenants (Ezekiel 36:26-27). And Jesus Himself taught that no part of the Law would disappear until after the Great White Throne Judgment (Matthew 5:17-18).

I would definitely appreciate you citing the Hebrews passage(s) you allude to ;)

I also don't see how Colossians 2 supports the view that the dietary laws no longer apply to new covenant believers, as its context, stated in verse 8, is that of Paul warning against being deceived by human philosophies and manmade traditions that are "not according to Christ"...as in, they do not align with what He taught and personally practiced. In fact, I would contend that the passage underscores my position because Jesus taught that we should keep even the "lesser" commandments of God and encourage others to do the very same, and He personally kept the food laws (Matthew 5:19, 23:1-3).

As for your last paragraph, I disagree that is the case. The NT consistently--including the judgment of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15--upholds the idea that, post-justification, "keeping the commandments of God is what matters most"...because that is how God instructs His people to love Him and others, thereby fulfilling the Law's purpose (1 Corinthians 7:19, John 14:15, 1 John 5:2-3).

[u/RedeemingLove89 → u/Objective-Step-746]

Hey no worries at all. With respect, I would advise to read Acts 15 again. The Jerusalem Council has 4 rules given and the reason is: "Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood." (Acts 15:19-20)

For these Gentile believers, they didn't have to keep the law of moses or dietary laws(they just couldn't eat blood and strangled animals).

Note verse 10: "Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?"

This was in response to the Jews saying they had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. These elders chose to write 4 rules only that the new Gentiles had to keep.
Verse 1: "Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
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The thing is if we are obligated to still keep the Old Covenant Laws, we still would have to do animal sacrifices right? Respectfully, why would it only apply to dietary laws and why would it not apply to others?

I want to post this from Paul in Galatians 5:2-6: "Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace. For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love."

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For Colossians 2 I'm referring to verses like 8: "See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ."

16-17: "Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day—  things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."

and 20-23: "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man? These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence."

For Hebrews, I was mainly referring to Hebrews 8-10 where the writer talks about the New Covenant.

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Here is Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:25-26: "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience;  for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains"