The restoration: Plant and and Fruit based diet
The restoration: Plant and fruit based diet
To understand the scriptural view of animals, we must look at the biblical "arc" from the original ideal in Genesis to the future vision of peace, and how the early church navigated these principles.
1. The Original Diet in Genesis
In the beginning, scripture describes a world without killing. [1]
- The Edenic Diet: In Genesis 1:29-30 God gives "every seed-bearing plant" and "every tree that has fruit with seed in it" as food for both humans and animals.
- The Change: Permission to eat meat is only explicitly given after the Flood in Genesis 9:3 Some theologians view this as a divine concession to a fallen world rather than the perfect original design. [1, 2, 3, 4]
2. Jesus and the "Peaceable Kingdom"
The "Peaceable Kingdom" from Isaiah 11 describes a future where "the wolf will dwell with the lamb" and "the lion will eat straw like the ox". [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Jesus’ Role: Jesus is seen as the Prince of Peace who inaugurates this kingdom. While he ate fish during his earthly ministry, his healings and message of non-violence are viewed by some as "previews" of a world where harm and destruction—including towards animals—will eventually cease.
- Restoration: Acts 3:21 speaks of the "restoration of all things," which many interpret as a return to the peaceful state of Eden where no blood is shed. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
3. Paul and the Early Church Conflict
By the time of the Apostle Paul, the issue wasn't just if to eat meat, but where it came from (specifically meat sacrificed to idols). [1]
- Conviction and Conscience: In Romans 14, Paul addresses a split between those who eat everything and those who "eat only vegetables". He teaches that neither should judge the other, as both are acting out of devotion to God.
- Paul argues that even if eating meat isn't inherently sinful, one should voluntarily abstain if it causes a fellow believer to "stumble" or violate their own conscience.
- Freedom with Responsibility: Paul summarizes that "food does not bring us near to God". The priority is love and unity over dietary rights. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Summary Comparison
| Theme [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] | Genesis (Eden) | Jesus' Earthly Life | Isaiah's Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diet | Strictly plant-based | Ate fish/lamb | "Lion eats straw" |
| Violence | None; harmony | Necessary for food/sacrifice | None; no harm |
| Status | The Ideal | The "Already but Not Yet" | The Ultimate Restoration |