Do you have to be a "vegetarian" to be Christian?

Many people have asked me if I believe that one has to be a vegetarian to be a Christian. My answer is "No" simply because the Bible doesn't say that one has to be vegetarian to be a Christian. I would also add that the Bible doesn't tell you not to smoke pot or chew tobacco either. I supose you could be a Christian and still do these things.

What I do believe is that as one matures in their Christian growth certain things will be more evident in ones Christian lifestyle such as your individual and personal attention to health. The Bible proclaims:

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

The Bible also informs us; “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” [1 Corinthians 10:31] So, if eating poorly and smoking or chewing tobacco to you is not abuse of your "body temple" then I certainly cannot judge you. However, I do believe that if you pray and ask God He will show you what is right for your body and what is wrong.

Did you know that the first diet that God intended His children to eat was meat free? Yep! No killing animals, no eating dead animals at all! Let us look at God’s own words regarding this issue;
Genesis 1:29 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food. “

Perhaps it would do good to return to the original diet that God intended for mankind. Certainly people who eat healthy usually live longer and have less health problems.

Now does one have to be a vegetarian to be a Seventh Day Adventist Christian? The answer is still, "No!" There are many Adventist Christians who still eat meat. As a matter of fact there are some Seventh Day Adventist pastors who still eat meat. The official position of the Seventh Day Adventist Church regarding this issue of vegetarianism is here stated;

"Being a vegetarian is not a requirement to be a Seventh-day Adventist, and we do not believe people who choose an alternative dietary lifestyle will miss out on salvation.

Not all Adventists are vegetarian. A lifestyle survey by the Adventist Health in the South Pacific in 2001 revealed that only 50% of older Adventists and a quarter of younger church members are vegetarians.

Adventists believe in a holistic approach to religion, which includes honouring God with our minds, bodies and souls. The holistic approach recommends a predominantly vegetarian diet, where such is practically possible, that includes eggs and dairy products.

Research shows Adventists who follow a vegetarian lifestyle and refrain from alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances greatly reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Visit the Adventist Health Survey for more information." [Australasian Conference Association]

So if this one particlular issue of vegetarianism has made you stay back from becoming a true Sabbath keeper then don't let it. Vegetarianism is part of the SDA health message. Yes, a Christian Church with a "health message"....what next? It is also part of what we call, "The Third Angels Message". Simply put, as Adventist Christians we believe that God wants His people to be healthy. He cares!

Well, I realize that many Adventists have turned people away from the Truth with fanaticism over the health message. This saddens me. I try to eat healthy and pay attention to my diet but I myself do not always eat vegetarian. I am in the sanctification process as all other Christians are.

Some time ago I wrote an article which shows from a Biblical perspective why Seventh Day Adventists believe that God cares about His childrens physical as well as mental and spiritual health. Please click on the following article if you wish to understand more about the Biblical health message:

The Bible and "dirty foods"

Written by Eric W. King [December 18,2007]

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