The trending carnivore diet, where you only eat red meat and salt, has made me think specifically about eating meat as a Christian. I have heard of arguments that we should only eat like they did in the garden of Eden before the fall, consuming just fruits, seeds, and vegetables. But after some study and research, I don’t think that’s what God has intended for us.
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve did not eat meat in the garden because there was no death. But immediately following the Fall which brought death, God kills an animal to provide coverings for Adam and Eve. So that animal’s death provided a way for Adam and Eve to commune with God. And, I have to wonder what they did with that animal after using its skin… surely they ate it! And God declared all foods edible in Genesis 9.
But the big point to remember is that fellowship between God and Adam and Eve was restored via animal sacrifice. A scholar who wrote on feasting in the Bible said this about eating meat after the Fall: “A living being had to lose its life in order for man to have fellowship with God again. That is the indelible mark that the Fall left on divine-human relationship and food plays a key role in demonstrating that reality.”
Eating meat post-fall is a continual reminder of sin because something had to die. But it is also a continual reminder of redemption because that death brings you physical life, sustenance for your body.
This is exactly why Jesus refers to himself as the “bread of life” (John 6:35). Sinful human beings must have perfect, living flesh die in our place sacrificially in order to have communion with God again, to no longer be separated from Him. That’s exactly what Jesus did for us on the cross. His death brings you spiritual life, sustenance for your soul.
That is why we commemorate Jesus’ death through communion, the eating and drinking of bread and wine/juice.
Jesus restored table fellowship between man and God by sacrificing His own flesh and blood on the tree. He tells us to drink His blood and eat His flesh (John 6:54) by believing in Him as Savior.
The restoration of fellowship between man and God was restored by Jesus on the cross. So, yes, I’d say Christians should eat meat. And every time we do, we can be reminded of our redemption in Christ’s sacrifice by the animal who sacrificed their life for us to eat.
What do you think?
