Keith Tacey is the son of a couple of my friends from the prison ministry. Keith is a missionary in Vietnam and recently wrote an essay reproduced below concerning some real-life application of Scripture that many of us never need to address. Comments would be most welcome.
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Recently, with the Lunar New Year taking place, the issue of eating food offered to idols has popped up. Yeah, that’s right. 1 Corinthians 8 & 10 are actually relevant here in Asia. Admittedly, living in America, I never gave these verses much attention. Here in Asia, they are not only important, this time of year they take center stage.
Please understand this post is me, Keith, working through the Word trying to figure out what the truth really is concerning this issue. It is a very real issue here and I would love to hear your honest, scriptural feedback.
Initial Thoughts: Without looking at scripture the seemingly obvious response is: “don’t even think about eating food sacrificed to idols” Not only does this seem like a bad idea, but it seems there would be some serious spiritual ramifications to this decision. Powers and principalities are real, and it seems that they are most real in instances such as this.
Looking at the Word: Remember, we are called to look at the Word, and see the WORLD through the lens of scripture (exegesis). We are not to take our opinions or WORLDLY ideas or definitions and apply those to scripture (eisegesis).
1 Corinthians 8 has this to say:
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
Seems like a done deal right? Idols have no real existence therefore we have nothing to worry about. HAHA if only it were that easy. Look what we find next
7 “However, not all possess this knowledge” (emphasis mine). But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
This section of Ch 8 identifies the fact that not all possess this knowledge (the knowledge that idols have no real existence). It goes on to say we are no better or worse for eating the food. However, if we are with a weaker brother, eating food sacrificed to idols presents a stumbling block to them. And this is where the sin comes in.
Interestingly enough, this explanation seems to be taking the same shape as the alcohol argument that scripture seems to make. It is not wrong to drink alcohol/eat food sacrificed to idols, as long as you are not causing a weaker brother to stumble, or doing a very specific thing (getting drunk/eating at “the temple” itself ).
My conclusion at this point is that it is ok to eat food sacrificed to idols as long as you understand/follow 4 guidelines”
1. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you understand that Idols have no real existence
2. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you are not actually taking part in the pagan festivals and subsequent sin that takes place
3. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you are not actually going to the temple itself (doing the same exact things as the idolaters)
4. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as it does not hinder the Gospel.
Still, the discussion is not complete. Lets look at 1 Corinthians 10:
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil ash they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Be sure to note the fact that the people in this chapter are actually taking part in the idolatry and sin that the idolaters regularly exhibited. Also, theses verses seem to be distinguishing food eating at festivals/temples from food bought at the market place or consumed in homes.
Ah, but there’s more…
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 a The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
It’s this part where I start to get really confused. Initially it looks as though we should not eat the food at all “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
…but how can this be? The Word does not contradict itself.
Admittedly, I do not possess expert bible interpretation skills, but thankfully the HS gives wisdom and answers to those who seek. So seeking the wisdom of others before me, I found in the notes of my ESV Study Bible, an interesting bit of information. It points out that so far we have been talking primarily about food eaten in pagan temples. Here are the notes:
1 Cor. 10:23–11:1 Paul now begins to address a different issue entirely from the problem that has consumed his attention in ch. 8 and 10:1–22. Those sections dealt with eating meals in pagan temples, but this section deals with meat previously sacrificed to idols being eaten in private homes, especially the home of an unbeliever (10:27–30). The principles Paul has developed in ch. 9, however, still apply. Paul wants the Corinthians to act toward others in a way that will not inhibit the advance of the gospel.
So what does 1 Cor 10:23-11:1 say?:
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 do not mean your conscience, but his.
For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Conclusion:
1. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you understand that Idols have no real existence
2. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you are not actually taking part in the pagan festivals and subsequent sin that takes place
3. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as you are not actually going to the temple itself (doing the same exact things as the idolaters)
4. Eating food sacrificed to idols is ok as long as it does not hinder the Gospel.
When you are in the home of an unbeliever, eat without asking questions. In this instance, the only time you shouldn’t eat the food is when someone actually tells you “this food has been offered in sacrifice” as it is likely a test of your faith and beliefs.
Above all else, “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
Final thoughts:
The other day I was at a party at a friend’s house. I was there for a year end party. They had two monks there sacrificing the food and singing, chanting over it for 30 minutes. No one made any mention to me of what they were doing, but I saw them doing it. The entire time they did this, I turned on my ipod, pulled up my study bible, and poured over everything you just read above (not nearly as in depth, but I did what I could). I concluded at that time that there was no problem with eating the food, as I believe I was following the 4 guidelines you see up above. After sharing this story with some close friends, they were completely astonished that I would do such a thing. I shared with them the verses and they refused to push past their “initial response” similar to the one I had above before reading the Word. I requested that we study this deeper, and they declined, instead offering for me to believe what I believe and they will believe what they believe and God will deal with us accordingly. I pleaded with them, saying that I certainly don’t want to be wrong, so we owe it to each other to completely exhaust the Word on this issue until we find the one and only truth. Still, they declined. I really can’t stand when people won’t dig in, especially when it’s super important, and we disagree on such an important issue. Please I implore all of you, think about what you have just read. What is your initial response? Write it down, and then dig in. Tell me, what is the Word teaching us here?
My brother. I bellieve the idols paul was referring to was in idol temples.You must not eat foods sacrificed to idols.Do you feel sexually high whenever you eat certain foods?.You must be wise to discern .Revelation 2:20 ….but i have this against you that you tolerate jezebel,who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguilling my servants to practise immorality and eat foods sacrificed to idols…
In my case i do.So be warned
Thanks for the comment.
If Rev. 2 was an island by itself, your point might be valid, but it isn’t – it must be taken in harmony with the passages Keith discussed.
A review of Greg Koukl’s essay “Never Read A Bible Verse” would be appropriate.
Thanks again.
From the passages to which you referred it is clear that:
1. We are not worse or better off if we eat food sacrificed to idols as long as our consciences do not judge us.
2. Idols in themselves are not gods and sacrifices to them are of no value.
3. If we know this and do not have any guilty conscience towards the food, we are free to eat.
4. Paul likened partaking in sacrificing to idols, eating the food and partnering with the heathen at them to partnering with the body of Christ at Holy Communion. When we eat at a regular supper and say the grace or thank God for the food, we are not uniting ourselves with the body of Christ in the same way.
5. We cannot partake in the actual ceremonies where sacrifices are made to idols. To do so is tempting the wrath of God for we cannot eat or drink from both the Lord’s Table and Satan’s.
6. Eating the food at such ceremonies along with the heathen means partnering with demons.
7. We can eat when invited to dinner if the issue of the sacrifice is not brought up (usually to test our position on the issue).
8. At the end of the day, we must not eat if our brother with a weak conscience will fall in the process.(“Without faith it is impossible to please God” and if we do anything without faith it is sin). Even legitimate things done with a guilty conscience are sinful.
The question then is, was the chanting etc. a ceremony where you could be said to have partaken in the sacrifice to demons or eaten at Satan’s table?
I would like to think that your being there was not to partake in the worship of their god.You were there on a dinner invitation and the host had members of his religion praying over the meal.I expect that you would also have thanked the Lord for the meal before eating it.
My only issue is – did your conscience condemn you in which case you needed to brong our your Ipod to make sure you were okay?
If not, I believe you were free to eat.
You didn’t go to the temple, you didn’t even know what the monks were saying. You could have been praising God in your heart at the same time enjoying His presence!
When we eat sacrificed to demons (where we do not take part in the ceremonies) it all boils down to your conscience and the conscience of other believers.
I believe the message is that we who love the Lord must not partake in idolatry in any form and through any means. Our Lord is a jealous God. And everything must be done to His glory!
Sorry, I have made a few additons and amendments:
From the passages to which you referred it is clear that:
1. We are not worse or better off if we eat food sacrificed to idols as long as our consciences do not judge us.
2. Idols in themselves are not gods and sacrifices to them are of no value.
3. If we know this and do not have any guilty conscience towards the food, we are free to eat.
4. If our consciences are not free from guilt it means we believe that the idols are gods and that our eating sacrifices to them is sin. “For some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.” 1 Corinthians 8:7b
5. We partner with the heathen when we partake in their sacrifice to idols and eat the food therefrom, just as we unite with the body of Christ when we partake in Holy Communion. 1 Corinthians 10: 16-18 states that taking Holy Communion unites us with the body and blood of Christ. Similarly, when the heathen sacrifice to demons, they (and we if we partake in the sacrifice) unite with demons (“fellowship with devils”).
However, when we eat at a regular supper and say the grace or thank God for the food, we are not uniting ourselves with the body of Christ in the same way that we are when we partake in Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper). Neither are we united to demons when eat food that has been sacrificed to them, even if their followers have spent a long time praying or chanting over it without our participation.
6. We must not partake in the actual worship ceremonies where sacrifices are made to idols. To do so is tempting the wrath of God for we cannot eat or drink from both the Lord’s Table and Satan’s.
7. Even then, from 1 Cor. 8:10, eating the sacrificed meat right there in the idols temple is not the issue, but whether we believe that our eating is a sin against God (i.e. we believe that the idol is a god).
6. We can eat when invited to dinner if the issue of the sacrifice is not brought up (usually to test our position on the issue).
7. At the end of the day, we must not eat if our brother with a weak conscience will fall in the process. (“Without faith it is impossible to please God” and if we do anything without faith it is sin). Even legitimate things done with a guilty conscience are sinful.
The question then is, was the chanting etc. a ceremony where you could be said to have partaken in the sacrifice to demons or eaten at Satan’s table?
I would like to think that your being there was not to partake in the worship of their god or in the sacrifice. You were there on a dinner invitation at the end of the year and your host had members of his religion praying or chanting over the meal. I expect that you would also have thanked the Lord for the meal before eating it. Did you partake in the sacrifice? I think not!
My only issue then is – did your conscience condemn you in which case you felt a need to refer to the scriptures via your IPod?
If not, I believe you were free to eat. If it did, you should have excused yourself.
You didn’t go to the temple; you didn’t even know what the monks were saying. You could have been praising God in your heart at the same time enjoying His presence!
When we eat food sacrificed to demons (where we do not consciously take part in the ceremonies) it all boils down to your conscience and the conscience of other believers.
I believe the message is that we who love the Lord must not partake in idolatry in any form and through any means. Our Lord is a jealous God. And everything must be done to His glory!