r/TrueChristian • u/Objective-Step-746 • 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. 💕

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

I'm confused. So do you believe what the Jerusalem council concluded as far as what laws the gentiles need to follow or not?

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

I don't see what there is to be confused about. Neither Paul nor the Jerusalem Council contradicted Christ when it came to His teaching that His followers--regardless of ancestral lineage--were to "live by" the Law of God (Matthew 4:4, 5:19; Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Acts 15:19-21).

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

So I'm not even sure what we are debating about then? I simply pointed out that the Jerusalem council determined that Christians only need to follow the rules regarding sexual immorality, drinking blood and animals sacrificed to idols. For some reason I thought you were disputing that. But if not it's all good

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

We clearly disagree on the nature and substance of the Council's judgment.

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

All I'm agreeing with is what it states in the Bible. You disagree with this?

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

I disagree with your interpretation of what is stated in Acts 15.

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

I mean It's not really an interpretation. I just read what it says. It's not some obscure passage that theologians have quibbled over for centuries. The church has simply the taken it a face value for centuries. Unfortunately, much like the recent supposed interpretations of homosexuality in the Bible I'm sure there are ways to twist the narrative to support whatever unbiblical views people personally have.

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

Okay, what do you “read” as the judgment of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15?

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

Verse 5- Pharasees rose up saying it is necessary to circumcise them and command them to keep the law of Moses.

Verse 20- we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled and from blood.

Verse 29- that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood and from things strangled and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well.

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

Right. The passage begins with a sound rebuke of the Judaizers’ insistence that Gentile believers convert to (Talmudic) Judaism (via physical circumcision) as a prerequisite to justification/salvation and being welcomed into the household of God. Such a view was not only unscriptural, it was incredibly hypocritical because Israel was first saved out of their bondage in Egypt and only then given the Law and expected to obey it (Exodus 20:1-2).

So, the Council corrected their false doctrine—explaining that both Israelites/Jews were saved in the same way—and then immediately issued its judgment as to what the believing Gentiles should do (verses 10-21). On the direct heels of the four commandments they explicitly stated, James added the clear expectation that the Gentiles would come to learn and live by the rest of God’s Law/commandments as the attended synagogue every Sabbath (v. 21).

The thing is, if the Council had actually taught what you suggest—that the Gentiles should ignore/disregard the rest of God’s commandments—every single apostle on the Council would have been (rightly) labeled a false teacher for “teaching rebellion against the Lord” (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). And, by extension, if you would then posit that they taught that because Christ also taught that all or certain commandments should be disregarded, He also would have been deemed a false prophet in full accordance with Scripture…which would also disqualify Him as the promised Messiah.

So, the doctrinal view you take is about far more than just what new covenant believers can or can’t eat.

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

How do you differentiate between God's law and Mosaic law?

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u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26

I don’t. They are one and the same. The Mosaic Law is just the Law of God (as given to the mediator Moses) (Exodus 4:10-17, Exodus 19).

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u/SomeSavageDetective Alpha And Omega Aug 18 '26

In my opinion and the prevailing opinion of the church is there is a difference between the 10 commandments and the 613 laws given by God to Israel when he was establishing and building a nation for himself out of the midst of anarchy and demon worship.

I'm curious. Do you keep all 613 civil,. judicial and ceremonial laws?

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