Are Dietary Laws Still Relevant? Exploring Biblical Contradictions

In this article, you will learn how Deuteronomy 14:9 contradicts Genesis 9:3, Acts 10:15 and Mark 7:18-19. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..

The Bible provides a detailed account of what it means to live according to God's will, yet within its pages, there appear to be conflicting messages, especially concerning dietary laws. One key verse in Deuteronomy 14:9 specifies that Israelites may only eat fish that have fins and scales. This law was intended to guide the people in choosing foods deemed safe and appropriate. Consider it akin to a modern-day dietary guideline, where a nutritionist recommends certain foods for health reasons.

However, this dietary directive finds itself seemingly at odds with other biblical passages. In Genesis 9:3, we find God telling Noah after the flood that "every moving thing that liveth shall be meat" for humans, suggesting a broader range of permissible food. It's like a parent who lays out strict family dietary rules but then declares a free-for-all at dinner, leaving one wondering what the true guideline is.

The New Testament further complicates these dietary instructions. In Acts 10:15, Peter is told in a vision, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This indicates a release from the earlier food laws, as God apparently extends the scope of permissible food through divine cleansing. Moreover, in the Gospel of Mark 7:18-19, Jesus Himself states, "Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him," effectively declaring all foods clean.

These varying messages pose a question: Are ancient dietary laws still relevant or even necessary? The Bible, much like a complex narrative or picture, presents layers of understanding. Just as a painting viewed from different angles reveals different elements, these verses encourage reflection and deeper exploration. For those seeking a cohesive guide to life and faith, these contradictions invite not just questions but an open dialogue about how to interpret sacred texts in a modern context.