THE BIBLES DIETARY & MORAL LAWS IN THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS

In my recent study and research I ran across

a group known as God Hates Shrimp eaters and their essential argument is that Christians should not condemn homosexuality as a sin based on the Old Testament Only. They have not considered 1Timotyh 1:10, Romans 1:25-28 and 1 Cor. 6:9 which   are ALL New Testament. If the last one is read in the NIV translation it will blow their mind because the Old Testament also refers to eating certain kinds of seafood (including shrimp) as an abomination, yet Christians do not have any problem with eating shrimp or any of the other forbidden foods. T he "God hates shrimp eaters" argument has NO validity

First, it is important to note that the title "God hates shrimp" is a reaction to a particular group of anti-homosexuality protestors that are famous for promoting the saying "God hates fags." The argument is that if God hates homosexuals, based on the Old Testament Law only, then God equally hates those who eat shrimp. The Bible nowhere says that God hates homosexuals or Shrimp eaters, however. There is a lists of things that God hates in the Old Testament (see Proverbs 6:16-19), and homosexuality or Shrimp eaters do not make the list. Yes, homosexuality is a sin, and yes, God hates sin. But again, the Bible nowhere says that God hates homosexuals, or that homosexuality is any more difficult for God to forgive.

Back to the "God hates shrimp eaters" argument - is it valid? Yes and no. First, a Christian should never make an argument exclusively using the Old Testament Law. Jesus fulfilled the Law, ending its Ritual & ceremonial requirements (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15). If you use the Old Testament Law as the sole argument for homosexuality being a sin, you should also declare that everything the Law outlaws to be sin: eating shrimp, wearing clothing of mixed fabrics, sowing different types of seed into the same field, etc. No, Jesus fulfilled the Law. Christians are not bound by the Old Testament Law Rituals and ceremonies and diets , but rather are to be subject to the Law of Christ (Matthew 22:37-39; Galatians 6:2).

So, if the Old Testament Law cannot exclusively be used to argue for homosexuality being sinful, why then do Christians believe homosexuality is sinful? The answer is that the New Testament also clearly and explicitly states that homosexuality is both immoral and unnatural (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). The New Testament confirms the Old Testament command against homosexuality found in Leviticus, explains why the command existed, and argues for why homosexuality should continue to be considered sinful. What then about shrimp? Does God still hate shrimp eaters? No because HE Never did. Jesus Himself "declared all foods clean" (Mark 7:19). Jesus later confirmed this in a vision to Peter (Acts 10:15). While the New Testament confirms that homosexuality is sinful, it clearly indicates the food laws to be null and void. God never hated shrimp eaters. Rather, God disallowed the consumption of shrimp & shell sea creatures to distinguish the Israelites' diet from that of the surrounding nations, and likely due to the fact that since they are bottom-feeders, they are really not very healthy.

What should be learned from the "God hates shrimp eaters" argument is that we should use the word of God consistently, and"rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). As New Covenant believers, we are not to use the Old Testament Law as the exclusive basis for our morality. Rather, we are to study the whole counsel of Scripture and live accordingly.

Researched and Compiled by;

Rev. George Pryor M. Th.

Pastor Emeritus/Retired

revgap@gmail.comn Website:revgeorge.net

SPECIAL NOTE: The Bible NEVER CONTRADICTS ITSELF BUT THE Eisogets( Insert Their Own Interpretation) and make a strong sounding effort to show that it dose. Peter warned believers against their kind in (II Peter 3:16) Read it in Any Translation and see if you don’t Agree. The purpose of the food laws in the Old Testament was to make the Israelites distinct from all other nations

Jesus gave the answer to such twisted beliefs in His clarification found in (Mark 7:18-23) Read it in your bible