In a recent letter-to-the-editor
a man put his own spin on Lent and suggested that those who abstain from animal
foods during Lent should continue on after the 40 days of Lent and make “vegan”
a lifestyle choice. He said, “But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of
religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental
degradation, and animal abuse.” Paul reminds believers, “Since you died with
Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged
to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not
taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish
with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their
self–imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the
body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Col 2:20-23
NIV).
4 comments:
Gail;
-----God gave man an imagination. Obviously, man is using it to his detriment. As much as the Word of God directs us to use our bodies for righteous works, it directs us to use our imaginations to develop humble concepts. In as much as man has gone astray in his works, he’s gone astray in his imagination. For this man, a vegan lifestyle is great, if that is what he likes. But for him to think it elevates his relationship with the Lord is arrogance. And for him to think it is any greater for others than what they already enjoy doubles down on that arrogance.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
It always amazes me how people ignore both clear statements and implications of the Bible. A clear statement,
(Genesis 9:3 KJV) Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Or how about the vision of Peter with all the unclean animals and God said,
(Acts 10:13 KJV) And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
It seems clear to me but I guess if people can ignore the call to repentance they can ignore anything.
Grace and peace
...and that an individual thinks he can persuade others to over look Biblical implications to follow his lead when he is so far off base.
Gail
-----I like Pumice’s clarity. Paul spoke directly to people like these vegans at Romans 14:2-5, “One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables…let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats…Let every one be fully convinced in his own mind.” Notice the one Paul indicates is weak: the vegan. Yet he does not tell the vegan to go eat some meat. Nor does he state the vegan is wrong. In fact, he tells the vegan to be fully convinced in his own mind. He also tells him, “The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God.” (Rom 14:22a) In other words, like Gail points out, don’t go around proselytizing the convictions of your own mind. It’s good to proselytize Biblical clarity, like Pumice can be admired for doing. But what we must be convinced of in our own minds is usually of our own minds, and as such, belongs in our own minds rather than smeared onto others. (As an aside, I’ve often wondered if Paul ever realized he categorized Daniel with the weak. (Dan 1:8-16) Oops.)
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