Veganism? Omnivore? Carnivore?

“Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. – 1 Corinthians 10:23

The human race, and all of creation, began it’s existence on a diet of plant matter. The Bible clearly dictates that “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Gen 1:29 It wasn’t until after the flood that God instructed Noah and his family to begin eating meat. It also began an enmity between the animals and mankind. After we began eating animals, they began to fear us.

Now, am I saying that we should all be vegan? … I personally wish that we would, for the ecological reasons, and the ethical reasons that I believe. However, I do not believe that Biblicaly we need to be. However, God did appoint us stewards over the earth. By factory farming we are slowly eroding many parts of the earth, destroying our ecosystem, polluting our waters, and pumping our animals and our people full of chemicals. All in the name of ‘tasty meat.’ I do not believe that we can do this in the name of ‘Christian stewardship’.

Factory farming is an evil that we must examine with the heart of Christ, as we are risen with him. Paul said that “I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20. We are to walk as the Risen Christ, a light for the world to see. We must look at our actions with that heart, and with that mindset, not with the thoughts on things of the earth, but on things heavenly. To copy an old cliche, what would Jesus do. Would he support locally grown, organic produce? Or would he buy something shipped across three countries in a diesel truck? Would he support factory farming? Or buy local, organic meat from a local butcher? Or would he not eat meat at all? These are decisions you must look at prayerfully for yourself, as stewards of the earth and of your own heart.

We must make conscious decisions in every action for our planet, our children, ourselves. We are the stewards of this world. We must take action, and look at it through the eyes and the love of Christ. His blood is a filter that we must also use to filter our own vision, that we can see the world through it! When you look at the world, try to see it from God’s pure vision, from Agape! When you do that what do you see? What choices would he make? How would he treat that person you just shunned? Or the one coming toward you now? How would he choose his next meal? Who would he pray for right now? How would he spend his next paycheck? How would he spend time with his children? How would he make that next crucial decision?

God is love, but he is also so many other things. Cultivate your relationship with him today. Praise him, worship him, get to know him. Study his word, and give your heart over to him completely in obedience to him today.

In Christ,
Brian