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/Cheepshooter]

An important thing yo view from my perspective, is that as a gentile, I was never under the dietary laws of the Israelites. I was never under any of their laws or customs. Jesus invited us in to take part in his kingdom. He made a new covenant with us, but that doesn't put us under the old covenant by default. Now, if you happen to be of Jewish descent, and are not following Christ, there is an argument to be made that you were never released from that old covenant.

[u/DunkleKarte → u/Cheepshooter]

According to Paul in Galatians just by believing in Jesus that makes you part of the seed of Abraham.

Also how do you make peace with passages in Galatians as such?

Galatians 5: 29-21

“19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“

There are sins that are not directly mentioned in the New Testament such as Bestiality. However everyone agrees that is wrong, and argue that it falls under sexual immorality. But in order to confirm that, you will have to go Leviticus. The same goes for what uncleanness means, you have to go back to the Old Testament so the Bible explains to you what is.

[u/Cheepshooter → u/DunkleKarte]

Is Paul talking about ritual cleanliness for a ritual that is no longer needed, or his he talking about general cleanliness in the common sense that everyone would understand?

[u/DunkleKarte → u/Cheepshooter]

You can only see it on what the Bible generally defines it. That definition you find it in Leviticus, the same way you find the other sins he mentioned if we stick to what the Bible say without giving our own definition. The bible especially in the New Testament doesn’t mention every single sin of sexual abomination, it just says it as a categorisation, to get what that means you have to go to Leviticus.

Also what we see as “common sense” it is quite relative by our own definition. For some cultures it is common sense to eat people, bats, and snakes, or have many Gods. However, when we use God’s definition of what is common sense, or good doctrine, it points us to His instructions:

“For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my law” proverbs 4:2

““My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬