Biblical Health Counsel

[divya]

Bible Health Laws
By Douglas S. Winnail

Did Jesus Christ abolish the health laws given in the Old Testament, or are they still relevant today? Can biblical health laws, given thousands of years ago, be meaningful and practical in today’s society? The answer may surprise you!

The health laws found in the Bible pose an interesting dilemma for anyone who believes in following biblical teachings. The Bible clearly states that certain foods are not to be eaten, and that certain behaviors are sinful and an abomination in God’s sight. Yet people have been claiming for centuries that Jesus did away with these regulations, and that they are burdensome, outdated, bizarre and even barbaric.

But just how did these laws come about? Who authored them, and why were they given? Did Jesus really abolish them, or are they still applicable today? Medical science and history and sound Bible scholarship agree—the answer is absolutely contrary to what most who profess belief in Christ wrongly assume!

Origin of the Health Laws

The biblical health laws are usually referred to as the Laws of Moses. Many scholars assume that Moses collected primitive taboos to form a code of laws. Some claim that the reasons for clean and unclean foods are purely arbitrary, irrational or unexplainable. Some anthropological speculations suggest that unclean animals are imperfect members of their species—tell that to a pig and you will probably get a well-deserved snort of disgust! Educated scholars also claim that the biblical laws have nothing to do with health, but were merely rituals to separate the Israelites from their pagan neighbors, and that only Jews need to observe these laws today. However, all these attempts to explain the biblical health laws are inadequate, as we will see in this article.

In Leviticus 11–20, where these laws are first outlined in detail, we find that "the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying, "These are the animals which you may eat"’" (Leviticus 11:1–2). This same introductory statement precedes the enumeration of other health laws in the book of Leviticus. According to the Bible, the author of the biblical health laws was not Moses—but God Himself! God explained to the Israelites that if they obeyed His commandments they would experience "none of the diseases" that plagued other nations (Exodus 15:26). God gave these laws to His chosen people so they could be an example to the world! God wanted their better health to be noticed by surrounding nations who could then inquire how they, too, could gain the same results (see Deuteronomy 4:1–8). While some theologians have naively suggested that these "regulations" were given to Israelites to punish them for their disobedience, these laws were actually given by a God of love to show human beings a better way to live. The health laws were to be taught by the priests, because of their fundamental importance!

It is quite instructive to read what Bible reference books have to say about the health laws. Halley’s Bible Handbook states: "Moses’ Law… [including] its Health and Food regulations, was far purer, more rational, humane and democratic than, and showed a wisdom far in advance of, anything in ancient legislation, Babylonian, Egyptian or any other" (24th edition, p. 138). Eerdmans’ Handbook of the Bible states: "Today we are able to understand and appreciate the sound principles of diet, hygiene and medicine which these laws express" (p. 176). The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, commenting on Leviticus 11, states that "the Levitical laws of cleanness have no known extensive parallels in surrounding cultures," so the idea of Moses borrowing primitive taboos does not hold up, because "surrounding cultures exhibit little of this sort of law."

While some scholars assert that the biblical laws were not given for reasons of health, this same commentary states that "the spiritual and hygienic reasons for the laws may still be affirmed. They are remarkably valuable in the area of public health… These laws protected Israel from bad diet, dangerous vermin and communicable diseases... These were rule-of-thumb laws that God gave in His wisdom to a people who could not know the reason for the provision" (ibid.). Thus, the idea that these biblical laws are outdated and old-fashioned and have nothing to do with health is simply nonsense!

 

[divya]

Dietary Laws

The most familiar biblical health laws define clean and unclean meats—creatures that are acceptable to eat and those that are not—yet most people (even theologians!) have little or no understanding of the medically sound reasons behind these instructions! The scientific wisdom behind the biblical dietary laws is seldom taught today; instead, these laws are commonly viewed as Old Testament regulations that are no longer applicable. However, as Eerdmans’ Handbook of the Bible comments: "These lists [of clean and unclean creatures] have a significance often ignored. Far from being based on fad or fancy, these lists emphasize a fact not discovered until late in the last century… that animals carry diseases dangerous to man" (p. 176). In fact, the same animals labeled unclean in Scripture still carry parasitic diseases that are still dangerous to human beings today!

"Clean" land animals are ruminants—grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, deer and elk—whose digestive tracts are designed to turn grass that human beings cannot digest into meat that we can digest. Most unclean animals are carnivores or scavengers that can transmit dangerous diseases to human beings. Pigs eat roots and grains, rather than grass, and thus are ecological competitors to human beings. Clean fish have fins and scales. Unclean aquatic organisms like clams and oysters are filter feeders that purify water, and that concentrate poisonous chemicals and pathologic bacteria and viruses in their tissues. Eating an oyster is like eating your vacuum cleaner bag—yet modern connoisseurs do not like to think about this! Crabs and lobsters are scavengers that eat dead things on the bottom of bodies of water. Most unclean birds are carnivores or scavengers. God in His wisdom inspired laws that protect humans from contracting dangerous diseases, but also protect "nature’s clean up crew" by making them "off limits" as food for mankind (for more information on this subject, request our free reprint article, Do You Really Want to Eat That?). These biological principles still operate today. As a point of illustration: the SARS outbreak was traced to an area in southern China where civet cats (an unclean animal) are eaten as a delicacy!

However, the laws of clean and unclean meats are not the only biblical instructions that concern diet. In Leviticus 3:17, we read that "you shall eat neither fat nor blood" (cf. Leviticus 7:23–27). One of the most significant discoveries in the last century was that high fat diets are linked to increased levels of heart disease, stroke, cancer of the colon and breast and a host of other pathologies—including obesity—that bring additional complications. Our challenge is to learn to recognize major sources of fat in our diet (visible fats on meat, fatty cuts of meat—like bacon, generous amounts of heavy dressings, spoonfuls of oil, etc.), and reduce our intake of fats that are high in calories and often high in saturated fats. It has also become painfully obvious in recent decades that contaminated blood and blood products can transmit AIDS and hepatitis. The simple principle of avoiding fat and blood is a powerful principle of prevention—if it is followed—because it still works today!

Biblical principles also cover the use of plant foods—carbohydrates. Ezekiel was instructed to make a nutritious bread from "wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt" (Ezekiel 4:9). This was a multigrain bread containing complex carbohydrates for energy, different kinds of fiber and multiple amino acids for proteins and bodybuilding. It was not a highly refined product like today’s common breads that have most of their nutrients removed, then are misleadingly called "enriched" when a few nutrients are added back.

The Bible advises us to use sweets like honey or other simple sugars sparingly (Proverbs 25:16; 27). We are warned against overeating—gluttony (Proverbs 28:7). Modern books on health give the same advice! The biblical dietary guidelines are not old-fashioned, burdensome regulations—they are divinely inspired guidelines that have taken mankind’s science thousands of years to understand!

 

[divya]

While I disagree with the approach on alcohol and do not endorse other aspects of this site, I do believe the above portion on health is a refreshing piece...

http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine29&item=1104248743

 

[Crown]

Prayer ! Prayer !
This subject is settled in the Bible.

Mat. 15.10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 15.11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Act. 15.24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 15.25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul…
15.28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 15.29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 14.2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 14.3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 14.4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 14.5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 14.6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

14.12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 14.13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14.14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

14.17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 14.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

14.20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

14.22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 14.23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

1Cor. 10.30 10.30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1Tim. 4.1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 4.2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 4.3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4.4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 4.5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Gal. 2.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

[divya]

^^^^

Good verses...but I believe those deal with specific issues and contexts, different than what is dealt with here.

Why Are Live Foods Best?

We are illustrating five groups of people that choose to eat healthy: (1) Because scientific evidence shows it works regardless what most doctors say, (2) Those who try it and find out it DOES make them healthier, (3) Those who follow the Old Testament of the Bible, (4) Those who follow the New Testament of the Bible and (5) Those who follow the Old & New Testament of the Bible. The first 3 categories speak for them self and these people usually do not have any question as to what IS healthy. The next 2 groups, we have found, have a lot of confusion, like we did for years, in the interpretation because so many verses are taken out of context. So we will elaborate . . . People lived very long, from 400-950 years, before they lusted for flesh meat and God gave them permission to eat it. Please be aware that lust results in over consumption, not normal consumption. Later when they began overeating meat and denatured foods, life spans declined to 80-175 years, and today 40-80.

(1) In Genesis 1:29 God gave us herbs & fruit for meat. In our concordance all food verses translate to mean meat.

(2) In Genesis 9:3 & 4 Vegetation was given to us to be meat. But flesh with the life (blood) we shall not eat (animal flesh). The only time flesh was eaten before the Exodus was when sin offerings (spotless, perfect animals) were made by the Levites and the blood was drained first.

(3) Numbers 11 tells us about the Israelites after the Exodus in verse 33 & 34. They lusted after the meat they had in Egypt. So God gave them what they wanted and brought a great plague upon them (like diseases of today!) while the flesh was still in their mouth.

(4) Because of the lusting after the Egyptian meat, we find in Leviticus 11 God gave Moses, Aaron and the children of Israel permission to eat only certain fleshes and the blood had to be drained plus it was Kosher (blessed by a Rabbi or Teacher, which we can all walk in that office if we so choose).

(5) Isaiah 40:6-8 tells us that all flesh is grass. Genesis 2:7 tells us God made us from the dust of the earth which has 103 known elements. Our bodies, when healthy, contain the same 103 elements and so does grass.

(6) Goat s milk is one of the healthiest foods we can use for restoring the body to its youthful health. And you shall have goats milk enough for your food, for the food of you household, and for the maintenance for you maidens. Proverbs 27:27

(7) In Daniel 1:8 and 11-20 Daniel didn't want to eat the King's meat or drink his wine because he knew it would defile him. After a 10 day fast of vegetables and water, Daniel and his 3 friends were blessed with knowledge, skill, learning, wisdom, visions & dreams far above all others in the kingdom.

(8) Daniel 4:16, 32 & 34 speaks about how King Nebuchadnezzar turned against the Lord and he was made to eat grass like animals for 7 years at which time his understanding returned to him and he turned again to the Lord. (It has been said it takes 7 years for every cell to be replaced in the human body.)

(9) Matthew 15:16-20 tells us Jesus is referring to eating with unwashed hands won t defile us . Verses 17-18 are usually taken out of context and people say we can eat anything we want .

(10) Luke 10:1-16 - Verses 7 & 8 are taken out of context by many to have to eat all kinds of disgusting, unhealthy things sometimes . Not true! When the Lord sends us (not us sending ourselves) everything is taken care of including food that is healthy! How do I know? Jesus said it and I've experienced it MANY times! David even knew it in Psalm 103:5.

(11) In John 4:10, 13 & 14 Jesus himself tells us to drink living water (spiritually from Him) and natural (from Live fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas and naturally fermented waters). I asked the Holy Spirit one day why is naturally fermented food healthy for us when fermentation in our colons is not. He answered that natural fermentation is the opposite of the unhealthy kind that takes place in the colon. I found out later it produces acidophilus and enzymes necessary for proper digestion without the use of processed sugar as a catalyst.

(12) In John 6:32 & 33 Jesus tells us to eat living bread (spiritual from Him and natural from sun dried or whole grain sourdough breads). Bread is best when made from whole sprouted grains or fresh ground flour with the use of wild yeast to make it rise promoting the growth of acidophilus.

(13) In Acts 10:10-17 God told Peter to eat and Peter wouldn't because it was common or unclean (not Kosher according to Leviticus 11). If we read on to verses 19, 28, 34 & 35 we find out God wasn't referring to eating flesh meat, but Peter s initial response shows that if we eat flesh today, it is STILL supposed to be Kosher.

(14) In Romans 14:2-3, 14-23, verse 2 is taken out of context by many saying God is against vegetarianism . If we read the entire chapter, we find it is referring to whether or not to eat meat offered to idols. (Besides, God gave us a long intestine and flat teeth, perfect for eating non-flesh and longer digestion time than flesh eaters, not fangs for eating large amounts of flesh and short intestines for shorter digestion times. Meats do have their place as seen in Kosher eating and Chinese Medicine with the emphasis on Kosher.)

(15) I Timothy 4:1-5 is taken out of context by many because they leave out verses 1-3 and say it's ok to eat whatever unhealthy food we want as long as we bless it. However in verse 3 the word meats is again referring to Kosher meat. On the other hand if we have food that is alive and tests positive for any bacteria or parasites, we have seen test results that these pathogens are cleared out and nullified when praying over our food, specifically when my daughter pleaded the blood of Jesus over it. We also proved this has no effect over fast food and junk food because it was permanently defiled by over processing and unnatural ingredients being added to it. We have also witnessed test results that prove food does not have to be raw to be alive, contrary to a popular group of people s opinions who are damaging may people s health by coercing them to follow this teaching. In fact, most vegetables we have seen test results for have increased the amount of life force after steaming or slow baking than when they were raw. The ones that showed diminished life force were only until the food cooled down to a temperature that would not burn the tongue when put in our mouth. All this proves the teachings of the Chinese in Paul Pitchford s book Healing with Whole Foods to be accurate.

 

[divya]

This should deal with many of the verses listed as well - http://thewayofthemessiah.org/bsea.html

 

[KiSseS03]

Bumping this, I had an interesting conversation with my pastor and his wife tonight regarding this subject, and a lot of the points you brought up divya, lend support to what I was trying to bring across to them.