Conclusions on food and drink

Here is some general advice given by Paul:

Titus 1:15 Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled. (NLT)

And

1 Cor 6:12 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Also see 1 Cor 10:23, which says nearly the exact same thing as 1 Corinthians 6:12.

And finally, Romans 14:20-23

Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. 21Don't eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble. 22You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. 23But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn't eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. (NLT)

So yes, we should not eat or drink things that would cause someone else to stumble in their Christian walk—even if those things are perfectly OK to consume, according to the Bible (see previous two posts).

Look at again at Romans 14:22 (above). As a current SDA, can you believe the freedom the Bible gives us under the New Covenant? These Biblical excerpts are mind blowing to someone who has been sheltered by SDA doctrine their entire life! At least they were mind blowing and initially difficult for me to accept!

You see, in reality, the New Covenant is all about relationship with God through Christ (primarily) and relationship with others (secondarily). And contrary to the statements and implications made by EGW, there is not a set of specific rules that drive the Christian walk; there are only principles to guide relationships. In fact, the principles that guide relationships are much bigger and better than any set of rules that someone might suggest. They are bigger and better in exactly the same way that the New Covenant is bigger and better (Heb 8:6) than the Old Covenant!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering: Yes, I do believe that the excerpts from 1 Corinthians and from Titus apply far beyond the realm of food. I’ll have more on that later.