Why I Don’t Eat Pig Meat:
I am frequently asked about consuming pork and pig meat products. I personally have never eaten pig meat products as my parents raised me following many Jewish cultures as our intention was and still is to live like Jesus lived. Back then I followed the nutritional law because I was told so. As an adult, I have researched both Biblical practices as well as nutrition and toxicity.
My personal health philosophy is to consume maximal nutrients and minimal toxins while honoring and worshiping God with my body, mind and spirit. After researching Biblical principles, the nature of pigs and their poor detoxification systems I have decided not to endorse the use of these animals as food.
They are great trash cans as they consume anything that falls their way, but I don’t believe they were intended for human consumption.
The Hebrews Were Warned About Pig Meat:
The Hebrew people have avoided pork and pig meat products as a dietary principle discussed in the bible. Leviticus clearly states that pigs, because they do not chew their cud, are an unclean meat. Modern science has shown that pigs carry a very high toxic load making them unsafe for human consumption (1).
“And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.” Leviticus 11:7
The bible warns the Hebrews about unclean foods and the rationale for the uncleanliness. Pigs are a dirty animal that ruthlessly scavenge anything they come in contact with on the farm. They are known to not only consume food scraps, insects and their own feces but they will also cannibalistically eat their own dead carcasses. They have been known to kill and eat their young at times as well.
Pigs are Scavengers that Harbor Parasites:
Due to their scavenger lifestyle, they harbor enormous amounts of viruses and parasites. Pigs are known to be primary carriers of the following pathogenic organisms that can create very serious health problems (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Taenia solium tapeworm
PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)
Nipah virus
Menangle virus
Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
A Consumer Reports investigation found that 69% of all raw pork samples tested were contaminated with high amounts of volatile microorganisms such as Yersinia enterocolitica (8). This bacteria causes fever and gastrointestinal stress and could potentially cause a fatal infection.
Why is Pig Meat so Toxic:
Animals that “chew the cud” as it says in the bible are called ruminants. These animals hardly chew their food when it is first swallowed. But they have four stomachs that digest and regurgitate food through a special process that allows complete digestion. The major ruminants are cows, sheep and goats (9).
The digestive system of a pig is unique in that it metabolizes food very quickly through one stomach in a process that takes about four hours. A cow takes twenty four hours to digest what’s eaten and it is able to get rid of excess toxins during the digestive process. The pig’s digestive system doesn’t allow for this and the toxins are carried into the fat cells and organs of the pig itself.
Pigs also do not have sweat glands. Perspiration is a key method the body uses to for detoxification and the pig is not designed to perspire. When we consume pig meat we get all of these pathogenic microorganisms and environmental toxins into our system.
Pasture-Fed Pig Meat Products:
Pasture-fed pork products are much safer as they should naturally have lower parasite loads and a better ratio of omega 6: omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. However, the animal is just not designed to eliminate toxins effectively.
Many of these toxins are not neutralized even with high heat cooking methods. The high heat cooking methods produces heterocyclic amine formation in the meat and damages much of the essential fats which makes the pork, ham or bacon highly carcinogenic (10).
From the perspective of minimizing parasite load, the healthiest way to consume pork is to cook it at very high temperatures. However, from the perspective of limiting free radicals, cooking at a high temperature is a significant factor in the development of chronic disease. One really does not win either way.
Was God Giving us a Health Message?
Much of the biblical books of Numbers, Leviticus & Deuteronomy has to do with health principles designed to minimize infection. This is very logical as infection was the greatest health threat to entire tribes and cities in the pre-medical world.
The Old Testament narrative has much to do with seeing the Israelite culture survive and thrive in a hostile world. It is quite logical that God would warn his people about available animals and their relationship to tribal health.
Was the bible message to avoid consuming unclean meat necessary for reducing infection and serious health problems? Based on the nature of the pig and the toxic load they carry it seems to be the best advice for optimal health. For more about biblical nutrition tips read this article.
The most powerful healing strategies in the bible are prayer and fasting. From a scientific perspective, I believe that prayer and fasting are the most ancient, inexpensive and powerful healing strategies known to mankind and this is why I wrote a best selling book called, “The Fasting Transformation” that you can check out here.
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Sources For This Article Include:
1. Scientific studies on pork Link Here
2. Hermann JR, Brockmeier SL, Yoon K-J, Zimmerman JJ. Detection of respiratory pathogens in air samples from acutely infected pigs. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2008;72(4):367-370.
3. Mataragas M, Skandamis PN, Drosinos EH. Risk profiles of pork and poultry meat and risk ratings of various pathogen/product combinations. Int J Food Microbiol. 2008 Aug 15;126(1-2):1-12. PMID: 18602180
4. What is Nipah Virus? Link Here
5. Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) Infection and Cysticercosis Link Here
6. Kirkland PD, Love RJ, Philbey AW, Ross AD, Davis RJ, Hart KG. Epidemiology and control of Menangle virus in pigs. Aust Vet J. 2001 Mar;79(3):199-206. PMID: 11301749
7. Kasorndorkbua C, Guenette DK, Huang FF, Thomas PJ, Meng XJ, Halbur PG. Routes of transmission of swine hepatitis E virus in pigs. J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Nov;42(11):5047-52. PMID: 15528694
8. Pork chops and ground pork contaminated with bacteria Link Here
9. The Digestive Tract of the Pig Link Here
10. Chemicals in Meat Cooked at High Temperatures and Cancer Risk Link Here
David…very informative. I knew of the O.T. warnings …to avoid pork …and some reasons. I sort of dismissed it as pertinent to today’s culture…though I wasn’t quite sure. I’m thinking that though it is not an unforgivable “sin” ,it does affect our general health…as you said!——————-I had forgotten that high temps for food was unhealthful for us …though I had mostly chosen not to cook ham,bacon,etc….think I will totally avoid it now! Gotta figure out how to make a good Brunswick stew without it.—–Thanks.
If you are going to “quote” scripture, you can’t leave any other scripture out of your argument. The New Testament nullifies the Old Testament dietary laws.
No the NT does not contradict or change the OT. YHVH never changes.
AMEN!
You’re absolutely right, Jesus did FULFILL the law and did not do away with the MORAL law. But then what was Paul addressing in his letter to the Galatians? Jewish ceremonial and civil law is a different story. (Acts 10:14-15) Brothers and sisters, we always need to look at scripture in the light of it as a whole without over emphasis on either testament. The NT doesn’t contradict the old, amen! All scripture is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16) which is why it’s even more important that we approach the Word with reverence and fear and proper exegetical hermeneutics.
As a nutrition student and believer that eating what God gave us in the way God intended it, (growing and raising your own food in healthy, microorganism rich soil) I believe organic pastured pork can be a great addition to a balanced, nutrient dense diet with adequate amounts of fasting and detox. (which we all should be doing anyway) I think there’s bigger fish to fry than pigs and oysters (which btw, are probably THE best dietary source of zinc and lots of Vit D & B-12 to boot!) – GMOs, pesticides, vaccines and tons of other environmental toxins are wreaking much more havoc on our bodies! Of course I would never recommend eating ANY feedlot animal for multiple reasons.
Kyle, you say that you believe that pork can be great addition to a diet.However, what you believe doesn’t change the fact that the Bible says don’t eat it. Period.
amen. Romans 8:1 there is no condemnation. Dr Jockers is misleading people in the word of God and he doesnt know it. Lets pray He knows grace!!! God fullfilled the law on the cross!
It drives me crazy when people make the claim that the NT nullifies the OT. This is false teaching. OT is the foundation. Moses, (OT), gave the laws of God. Jesus, (NT), taught us how to walk in it. The laws/Word never changed. God and His Word doesn’t change.
Except the New Testament does change the situation. To quote Acts 10:11-15:
He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down
to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed
animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up,
Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or
unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that
God has made clean.”
God’s law for the Israelites and food is not the same that God’s law is for the modern Christian.
Cramer: I see you have no teaching in Scripture truly, and for this, I am glad to be here, because I come unto you not to offend dear brother, but to make friends! Allow me to explain, a man with nearly 44 years experience with the Scriptures, and the Father and Son Who Both ensured their accuracy, by the Holy Spirit (2Peter 1: 21)!
Now, let us go further into the reading, from where you left off:
“16: This was done THRICE: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17: Now while Peter DOUBTED in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate . . . 19: While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, THREE MEN SEEK THEE [This is why the sheet was seen thrice as in verse 16]. 20: Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them . . .
“21: Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22: And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. . . 28: And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but [Yahuwah] hath shewed me that I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY MAN COMMON OR UNCLEAN” (Acts 10: 16 – 28, KJV, emphasis, Name change, and insertions mine).
My brother, the reason for the vision of the sheet was initially very doubtful to Peter, as he had never eaten anything that was revealed as unclean by the Scriptures; however, verse 28 shows you and me this vision concerned men and women being common or unclean!
Had this been a dietary change, then men could as well be eaten by Jews! There is nothing physiologically different between Hebrews and Gentiles; that which will hurt the one unto unhealthiness then unto death, will do this to all humanity, and this is still true!
Fulfilled = brought to completion. The law remains else there would be no definition of sin/unlawful and we would not be convicted that we have sinned. He said in Matthew 5:17-18 (paraphrased) he came to fulfill but not to abolish. Until heaven and earth pass away not a jot or a tittle will pass from the law. We are no longer under the punishment of the law which was death or eternal separation from God. He paid the penalty. (example a speeding ticket – you broke the law, but someone steps in and pays it for you). He was our perfect example yet everyone get’s hung up on this. We want what we want instead of seeking what God wants.
The New testament nullifies man made religious laws. It doesn’t nullify the Creator’s “laws” which are actually life giving instructions.
Sandy Kirkley: I am speechless by your words, as they remind me of the way I used to think about such things! As a Roman Catholic, I was taught it is a normal thing to know something is a sin, but to continually practice this sin in the life, just so long as you continually confess it to the priest! As I grew in grace, not through the words of these priests, but taking the Sacred Scriptures into my very own hands, and studying it daily, and thus after a time, walking by the Holy Spirit, and not by the teachings of any grouping of peoples – churches – I could see clearly this teaching was clearly FALSE!
Why then would I say this? Any clear thinker, Sandy, would counter to this thought with another: “How could ANY tell me what the Scriptures teach TO ME?”
This then is the problem! Mankind is FALLEN! The extent to our fallen condition is only being seen in these last days, when rather than work to make this life work for us, many would do anything for the most money they could get for doing anything that makes the most money for them! How many if offered $1 million to kill, would say “No way”? I do mean to kill a sentient creation of Yahuwah! And, if this is done once, and same money is offered, how many more would I kill after the first?
The Creator has sent a Saviour (singular) into our world, due to the sin of our first parents, cursing the whole race. Literally, the Creator died AS HIS creation! We are living in the last days most surely, Sandy, and we must die to selfish pursuits, or we will not see eternity, saving for put a short time, after which we shall be as if we had not ever been, because annihilated by fire from Father, to destroy the lawless.
Please give us a complete list of unclean foods. Which birds are webfooted? Are rabbits rodents? Shrimp are not fish but they aren’t creeping things either.
What protein do you eat for breakfast if you cannot have dairy (whey), legumes (pea protein, etc.), nuts or seeds, or grains? It is not feasible to have “meat” three meals a day. Or do you advise skipping breakfast (intermittant fasting)? (I am on a ketogenic diet for epilepsy and get tired of coconut oil being 80% of my diet)
Thank you for all your excellent work. I appreciate your practical tips so much.
Kayla,
Some of those answers I address in this article: https://drjockers.com/2014/02/meal-planning-ketogenic-diet/
Just don’t eat meat at all.. Where in the Bible does it say it’s ok to kill animals for survival? I’m a vegetarian for over 25 years now. I’m 65, lean and healthy. I don’t need to take an animals life to exist! There is plenty of food to eat without cutting animals throats, contributing to greenhouse gasses and polluting the environment from factory farming, and the mistreatment and abuse animals suffer from as a result of our desire to chew on flesh and bones..I love ALL animals and will not harm them.
What about chickens? Check out what they eat. Your article has some truth in it but also a lot of fallacies. I love some of your posts especially the recipes but more and more I see so called health experts mixing truth with fiction. The animals of the day of Old Testament times were different than animals bred today. Pigs are treated for the above diseases. I do believe in eating more vegetables and less meat overall.
Cynthia: There is little doubt my dear woman, you are a woman without true faith, and I say this, as a true friend, not as a dreamer of dreams! IS GOD AS STUPID AS ARE MEN?
We have been taught we live with the angels who fell! There is a special place for most, but many are among us, and fighting to ensure humanity remains under their initial spell, which bewitched Eve, and then Adam thought God would understand if he ate too because he could not live without his wife, and would thus die with her in sin.
Not so! Yahuwah Elohim the Creator thought: “Where then is your love for me? Was it not I Who made you for My purposes?” Yet, because angels are a higher intelligence than humans (see Hebrews 2: 7, KJV), a plan “before the world was made” (Ephesians 1: 4), was THEN enacted, whereby a Saviour had been chosen, to take the curse of sin, which is called SECOND DEATH upon His own Head, that all who conscientiously believe in Him unto obedience by the Holy Spirit, would be saved!
Can you not see, unless GOD – Yahuwah Elohim – chose to allow certain truths to ever abide AS TRUTHS, “Who then would ever believe in His word?” As the demons work to destroy truth, that none might be saved in these latter days – when more abide on Earth than ever before – thus ensuring MOST LOST, everything Yahuwah ensured written in Scripture would always be true, even unto the end!
The truth is far different than you think dear one! There abides a great group of evil and very rich people – rich because they have chosen to be so, as demons make us rich to hold us to this Earth and that we be unable to be saved!
Those who walk under the saving grace of the Most High, know how to remain safe from sickness and in health, because the LIFE GIVER enables us to learn how best to do all things, unto His glory! There are many ways to answer your doubts, but not as much space as may be needed to help you have greater faith! Pray! Seek Bible Truth! Remember, you are known by Him, much greater than you know yourself.
James, “Judge not lest ye be judged”… it must be great to be perfectly sinless and free to judge everyone else.
You misunderstand what is meant by judging in scriptures. It is good to judge between right and wrong; sin and death. This is wisdom, even survival in our twisted world. But, only Yahuah judges souls, this punishing their evil during lifetime and at the last judgment after death. This is a current error, nearly a mindless stronghold not well thought through.
In addition Muslims they don’t eat pork at all. God in our Quran prohibited us from eating all pork products due the unhealthy impact on the human body, so the Hebrews not the only people who don’t eat pork.
No, you are right, Hind! Rather, the Hebrews, and those followers of the Master Yahushua Messiah, called Christians by the Roman Catholic Holy See, were able to see this truth, long before there were ever followers of the profit (pbuh).
True. Some of the Muslim beliefs stem from Hebrew scriptures. Even biblical people are in Qur’an. If you read Hebrew Scriptures, you will learn more about them.
Dr Jockers is a Judeo-Christian though and not a Muslim so he follows the Bible not the Quran. He didn’t say Hebrews were the only ones to eat pork. He’s telling you why HE doesn’t eat pork
Dr Jockers, Please, what about Peter and the unclean/clean animal vision? My husband would freak if I took bacon, bbq and tenderloin away! lol He uses that scripture in Acts 10 to justify eating pork. thanks for taking the time to publish articles for us. 🙂
Lori, the vision that you ask about is about preparing Peter for a visit from Cornelius, a centurion. Long story short, GOD want to make known to Peter that he (Peter) should receive Cornelius into his house, which would have been a big no no to Peter at the time. GOD was telling Peter, what he has deemed clean Peter should except and share the Good News with him.
Is it about food, I don’t know for sure but I do not believe it was. But this is only how I see it and please read and pray about it for your understanding.
GOD Bless
“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Sounds like it’s about food to me. Peter objected because he’s never eaten any unclean food and was told not to call anything impure that God had made clean.
Hello Megan…Yes, your right on….I been scrolling down the commits hoping someone would quote this scripture….Blessings….
No, it does not sound like eating. “A text out of context becomes a pretext.” The intent is clear: For Peter, “Mr. Judaiser”, to get up and go and preach to the Gentiles, not just the Jews. The Scripture does not follows by saying that he got up and make himself some shrimp scampi or pulled pork sandwich, he went to preach to some gentiles. Also notice how he went on to be reprimanded by Paul for “hanging out” with the Kosher crowd. You think they would accepted him if they knew he as eating lobster or rabbit? While I do eat pork, I hate when people applies bad interpretation to the Bible.
Thank you Richard! So many people use that one scripture in Acts to imply that it was now okay to eat pigs….it had nothing to do with changing dietary law.
I heard another gem that has added to the sheet vision I shall add. Gentiles had an unclean animal tagged to each group, like Sammaritans were called dogs by the Jews and there is at least one example in New Testament, where Yahshua called a Sammaritan woman a dog. It was not an insult. Dogs have fine qualities, but they are unclean. So, the unclean animals were symbols of each particular gentile. The sheet was well understood by Peter as Yahuah steered his thinking. Its good to get Hebrew perspective on things. I am thankful that Christians are again learning from Jews! We are brothers and sisters… As Peter was taught by this vision. 💖
Lori, maybe this will help. It’s and excerpt from https://www.wildbranch.org/teachings/lessons/lesson27.html and you can go there to read the entire article. And many other websites explain this in the same way.
Peter, in verse 9, about the sixth hour, again the beginning of afternoon prayer, is hungry and falls into a trance. The Holy Spirit shows him a vision of heaven opening and a sheet knit at the four corners being lowered down to earth. This sheet contains a mixture of clean and unclean animals. A voice speaks to him in the vision and says to rise, kill and eat. Peter responds naturally. “Not so my Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” These are two different concepts biblically. The voice speaks again and tells Peter what God has cleansed do not call common. The vision is repeated three times. In verse 17, Peter is perplexed! What does this mean? Well for modern Christian scholars this is a no-brainer. He is telling Peter he can eat whatever he wants now, and Peter is scripturally incompetent. He can not figure it out. “Why would the Lord tell me to do something like this”, he must have been saying to himself. In verse 19 the Spirit says to Peter that three men seek him and to trust God for He has sent them. In verse 22 Peter is informed that a gentile, of all people, has sent for him. Between verses 22 and 28 Peter figures out what the vision was all about. Ordinarily Peter would not have gone to this man for he was a gentile and unclean in Peter’s eyes. Verse 28 sums up the entire episode. “And he said unto them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” How much clearer can God be? The purpose of the vision was to teach Peter about what God is doing among the gentiles now. This has nothing to do with changes to what is good to eat and what is not. This has nothing to do with dietary laws being done away with. In chapter 11 Peter retells this vision. In verse 17 and 18 he concludes again, “Forasmuch, then, as God gave them the same gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
So you see, the Ruach HaQodesh is showing Kefa (Peter) that he is bringing gentiles into the body of Messiah by trusting just like the Jews. No longer is conversion accomplished by or through the temple or animal sacrifices. Gentiles who trust are now one with HaShem and are no longer unclean or common. Kefa did not rise and eat nor did he explain the purpose of the vision as teaching such a thing. Why, theologically, would something not created to be eaten, suddenly because of Yeshua‘s sacrifice, be alright to eat? Yeshua died and rose to free us from the penalty of sin, not to free us from the laws that reveal our sin.
Also, a good four-minute audio here: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/media/e/1098/t/what-did-peters-vision-with-the-sheet-of-unclean-animals-mean
Good article worth reading
https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/1049/Clean-Unclean-Meats.htm
Hey Lori,
There is no spiritual judgement for eating those foods, but there can be earthly consequences that result from it. The would mean poor health outcomes and that is why I don’t recommend consuming it.
Except, perhaps, an unclean altar in our bodies…. Spirit desires a clean house if we wish to be filled with Yahuha . in New Testament, a story about demons that were about to be cast out of a person that had a legion of them, asked to be cast into a herd of swine… Why? Perhaps so gentiles that ate them would be filled with these demons, thus they could have a new condo? 😜The demonic like dead and dirty houses… Just sayin…
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23, which both state that “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”
Just because we CAN eat certain things that were formerly considered unclean doesn’t mean they are beneficial for us. 🙂
Yes very true!
that is the problem. The scripture of Acts in this case is not telling us we can eat anything. It actually has to do with the Jews and Gentile and how we are not to separate ourselves and we are all to be one. You need to read this in the contents that it is ment to be in.
You are the best.
It pleases me that you are God-oriented. You are not afraid of talking about God and telling us what we need to know on all fronts (relating to the pig article this time).
Thank you.
Thanks so much Anna! I try to weight in ancestoral nutrition, human genetics, biochemistry and God’s word into my understanding of health and performance.
One can easily understand Peter’s vision concerning the clean and unclean in Acts 10 by examining the setting in which it occurred. This vision wasn’t a repeal of the laws concerning clean and unclean animals. But what was going on was the Gentiles, previously viewed as unclean/dogs, were now allowed into the covenant. Those unclean animals in the vision represented the Gentiles. It’s symbolism. The text says that Peter was puzzled and perplexed but he didn’t conclude that he could now eat a ham sandwich. Here’s his conclusion in his own words: Acts 10 NASB
Gentiles Hear Good News
ACTS:10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man (or woman or anyone, the Greek word is similar to humankind but the patriarchal translators chose the word man instead of “anyone”) who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. (This is spoken on the occasion of Cornelius’s visit, who was righteous and accepted.)
I always appreciate your input and it helps me with making good decisions for my health. God bless!
I truly wonder in a stunned manner at times when Jesus told you to uphold the Law in Matthew 5: 17-20(not going to quote in length).
Unless you uphold the Law(given to all God’s prophets gone by) better than the authority of that time….then you will not see the Kingdom of God.
You can not use Acts to justify and over ride what Jesus told you to do. This goes for Paul as well.
The Laws handed to the Jews were strict laws and there were reasons for this. Many were abrogated through time, but many…..still stand today.
This law of not consuming Pork is observed by the Jews and the Muslims(does not matter what you think about the Muslims), but some how…..the Christians strike this down??
Thanks for this article. I completely agree. Dr. Rashid Buttar said something interesting about why people shouldn’t eat pork. He said that it’s because pigs’ physiology is so close to humans, which is why we get thryroid hormone from them. So eating pigs would be sort of like eating humans. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I just though that was interesting. Anyway, Dr. Jockers, I’m curious………do you not eat shellfish either?
I actually don’t eat pork OR shellfish, because shellfish are bottom feeders and most are super toxic, IMO.
Hey Jackie,
That is a good explanation. Here is my article on shellfish: https://drjockers.com/why-i-do-not-eat-shellfish/
Regarding Acts 10…”I do not eat pork for the same reason YOU do not eat rat.”
Kosher
I became a vegan and feel my best ever. I used to suffer from chronic depression. My low-protein vegan diet was what I needed to overcome that. I also limit high-sulfur plant foods (cruciferous vegetables and garlic/onion), and I limit plant foods high in protein (nuts, beans, seeds). I also limit night shades, especially white potatoes, but not everyone has a problem with that.
Anyone suffering from achiness and/or depression should try the vegan low-sulfur diet. Its efficacy has to do with genetic mutations. Dr. Jockers addressed this very well in this article:
https://drjockers.com/cbs-mutation-low-sulfur-diet/
Pigs are as intelligent as dogs. Would you take one out to your back yard and slice its throat like Isis does to us?
Thanks for your input Liz!
This is nuts. First of all, if you’ve never experienced bacon, you’re missing out on one of the greatest experiences life has to offer. Second, yeah the Bible says not to eat pig, but in the Bible’s day there was no such thing as refrigeration and a green pork chop could smite you. Don’t be a dork, eat port.
Porky, I hope you rethink what you share, but, of course, you have free will. We are not supposed to make our taste buds and stomach our deity or mighty one. Yahshua said… If you love me, you will keep my Commandments. Eating unclean animals is against His instructions, His Torah. I have happily given up toxic flesh to please Him. He died for me. So, yes, I serve Him. It is a higher pleasure than a forbidden meat to feed the lust of my flesh.
When was this article written?
I’m on the same page as you! For over 15 years now. Thanks for putting it out there. I am going to sign up for the series on biblical health.
Great Laurie!
…and I’m now cancelling my subscription to your e-mails….why you brought religion into
this, God only knows…I signed up for health and nutritional reasons, not to be taught the
bible.
Never talk about religion, or politics, anyone tell you this?, it only starts arguments, as I
have seen from the many comments from the article “Why I Don’t Eat Pig Meat”
This truly surprises me, from a professional, and so I say, adieu.
No problems John! I am very open with who I am and what I am about. You can find many other blogs that are more “professional.” Wishing you all the best my friend!
Thanks, Dr. Jockers for your biblical insight and your knowledge of nutritional foods, herbs, and supplements for us. Plus, you give us this knowledge for FREE!! Thanks again, and God bless you and your family!
John, anger often masquerades as fear. Why should religion be a taboo in any discussion? Would poetry or music be prohibited? We should each be respected for our individual viees, right? Those that fear spirituality need to face this realm courageously. It is a reality among humans and inflitrates everything. We desire to understand mysteries. We desire to have power beyond our limited perimeters. We all die, so what comes next? Your emotions, stirred up reflect an issue that should be addressed or you would have simply exited peacefully. We each have a right to think as we think. Your anger expressed an illogical rage. I hope the best for you, resolving this issue. But, bottomline…He loves you.
John, health & nutrition are a part of the Bible & should be considered along with any other resource you care to follow. I believe in God’s wisdom & appreciate the fact that Dr. Jockers does as well. You might want to participate in the Bible Health Secrets web talks starting Aug 14 – you might learn something – it’s your choice.
Yes, the first 3 rules of hermeneutics are “context, context, context” – agreed! But that doesn’t mean that a scripture can’t be saying both things either. If that was the case we’d have to throw out almost every prophesy about Jesus from Psalms, the Prophets, etc.
Yes, Acts 10 is about the Gentiles but Christians are NOT under OT dietary laws and I’d love to see someone back up that claim with NT scripture using proper exegetical hermeneutics. Are we still practicing ritual purity laws? Dietary laws were laws given specifically to the Israelites to keep them separate from the other nations. Universal moral laws are true for everyone and still active for ALL men today, Christians and non-Christians alike. The book of Amos sheds light on this and draws the distinctions necessary for this argument. (concerning how God judged surrounding nations vs. Israel)
Yes, indeed, context is key! Genesis 9 says, “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” I would think that if pork and shellfish were a big deal, this would be great opportunity for God to say something to Noah since he was supposed to repopulate the entire planet and anything that’s “unhealthy” might thwart that objective.
An important key is that these animals are described as unclean. Biology supports this. Yahshua did not change biology of these animals. Don’t be deceived. They are still dirty scavengers with inadequate digestive systems that will not be healthy to eat. But, if you choose to eat it, you will take consequences in health as described in Torah. However, Yahshua came to fulfill requirement for animal sacrifices. He came as our sacrificial lamb. He fulfilled this requirement and put an end to this. He was what these sacrifices pointed toward, and is our salvation.
An important key is that these animals are described as unclean. Biology supports this. Yahshua did not change biology of these animals. Don’t be deceived. They are still dirty scavengers with inadequate digestive systems that will not be healthy to eat. But, if you choose to eat it, you will take consequences in health as described in Torah. However, Yahshua came to fulfill requirement for animal sacrifices. He came as our sacrificial lamb. He fulfilled this requirement and put an end to this. He was what these sacrifices pointed toward, and is our salvation.
Shellfish are the cockroaches of the sea. How appetizing does that sound? In regards to pigs being like humans, I had to dissect a fetal pig in college anatomy when I was premed. It’s scary fascinating how similar the internal organ placements of pigs match humans! I wish I still had the link to the article I read regarding a scientific research project whereby a tracer was attached to pork and consequently consumed in a meal to find out where the pork would end up in the human body. The fascinating results were that wherever the meat originated from the pig’s body, when consumed, gravitated to the exact same place in the human body. Considering we are what we eat, where do you think that holiday ham ends up?
Wow, that sounds like a fascinating article you read! Thank you for sharing Cheryl! Blessings!
The Bible declares that the forbidden-meat law will still be in effect at the second coming of Jesus. (Isaiah 66:15-17.)
Aside from the rude comments from people previous to me I feel like you succinctly wrote your beliefs and Biblical Truth. If you are going to a Man’s own website and article why would you be so immature, if the Truth written here in Dr. Jockers article doesn’t convict your spirit then please don’t revert to evil slander and absolutes that cannot be based in a Biblical light! The Law was not done away with, it was fulfilled (playro’o) which means to make replete, cram, level up (a hallow)….., not terminate or do away with! The word End in Roman’s 10 is Telos which in its original meaning and in context means to reach a goal or full potential! He lived the Law the way we are supposed too and in Him doing so we now have a perfect atonement for our Sin not just a blood covering from the levitical sacrifice laws. We are Justified by faith alone and sanctified with the Spirit giving us the power to live out God’s ways in a much better way!
You used a phrase I think needs to be clarified from a biblical perspective. Nowhere in scripture was there ever defined and “unclean food”. Food is something to consume, so to call a food unclean is to misunderstand it as some sort of ceremonially uncleanness. It’s always defined as “unclean flesh”, in other words, the animal is unclean and unfit for human consumption, meaning it cannot be food. Food is good. Some flesh is good for food. Some flesh is not.
This phrase, “unclean food”, is very, very common in the religious vernacular, but it is grammatically inaccurate for expressing what the God of the Bible intended to convey.
Pork as defined in the Bible is unclean, and not fit for consumption by any human, not just the people given the understanding, and anybody who reads the related scriptures in the Bible cannot escape that they’ve now been given the understanding.