“Food For Thought”

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

I am curious to know your thoughts on what the Bible shows us to be the best nutritional choices for our bodies.  I know that our family feels better when including fish, almonds, dates, etc., for a healthy diet, but I was wondering if you had any resources you would recommend (i.e. diets that more closely match those during the life of Christ) and if any hints are given within the Bible that would show the benefits of this?  We are surrounded by so many chemically-altered foods which can cause depression, fatigue, not to mention diseases.  It's hard to let our light shine if we feel like wilted sunflower plants.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Organic Origins

Dear Organic Origins,

God has given mankind dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26-28).  That gives humans the freedom to alter and adapt our food supplies and crops however we see fit.  Whether or not genetically altered foods are healthy is an issue for science and not the Bible.

God says very little about the health of the human body.  Paul says that exercise is useful, but only minimally so in comparison to spiritual matters (1 Tim 4:8).  God also says that all food is clean and should be accepted with thanksgiving (Mk 7:19, 1 Tim 4:3-4).

In regard to food, the only thing that God clearly condemns is gluttony.  Gluttony brings poverty (Pr 23:21).  God says to “put a knife to your throat” if you are given to gluttony (Pr 23:2), which is another way of saying be careful about not letting food control you.  The only clear Biblical command on the subject of eating is “moderation”.

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