Fix,

You accept the straight forward teaching of the Bible as "scientific studies"? My congradulations, Fix. Go to the head of the line and let the rest of those coming along in lab coats with a purely naturalistic view of the universe catch up with you in a century, or 30 centuries, from now. You just cut the learning curve currently being engaged in by the majority of our Western culture short by your willingness to accept the validity of the Bible's instruction as both good religion and good science.

I've got to run right now, but will get back to answer your theological point a bit later based on I Timothy 4, 1. For now, let me say that about half of Seventh-day Adventists (actually 60% from that last round of testing here in the USA) currently eat at least some red meat, with the allowance of the Bible and as members in good and regular standing in our congregations, which affirm its full and balanced teaching.

I Timonth 4:1 is only one part of what the Bible has to say on this subject, however. The interpretation you give it would negate a great deal more the Bible also says, which would help us understand the true meaning of that passage in light of other equally inspired council. I'll be glad to provide some of that a little later. Just now I need to run to help our Parish Nursing team (about half of whom are red meat eaters, if stats run true) get ready for some health screening this weekend.

Check out Deuteronomy 14, Leviticus 11, Daniel 1, Acts 10, Genesis 1:29, Genesis 3:18, and Genesis 9:1-4. These too are inspired passages from the same book you cite. In fact, Daniel 1 is the closest thing to an actual scientific study in this regard that we have in the pages of the Bible itself.

Bottom line: No sin in eating red meats created by God to be recieved with thanksgiving by those who believe and know Bible truth. What those meats are is not left in question. See Deuteronomy 14 and Levitisus 11. These properly bled "kosher" style and having the visible fat cut away, are acceptable. In fact about 60% of our membership eat them without being considered out of line, or sinning.

The forbidding of meats and marriage cited in the text by Paul had to do with Gnostic ideas which in our day find their clearest expression in the "no meat on Friday" and "your priest and nun must be celibate" segments of the Christian church. Those are prohibitions contrary to the Word of God. Choosing a vegetarian diet option is not. (See Genesis 1:29 and Daniel 1.) That is simply good, scientifically-validated sense.

Got to run. More later. Keep thinking.

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