For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Kraft
The problem I see with some of these doubtful things, is that over time scruples can become law. They are added to Gods word as thus saith the Lord. Like the Pharisees they become extra biblical rules that we are to obey without question. Then we can take pride in following these extra biblical rules and it produces self-righteousness. When we add our own laws to Gods absolute laws, it waters down what the bible says. We make these laws binding on everyone without exception. Then we may not obey what the bible says, but we take pride in following our own laws.
The Bible clearly states we are not to add anything, or take away anything from Gods word. Jesus told the Pharisees that they loved to sit in Moses seat and hand down the law. If you tried to follow all of the man-made rules and regulations and the doctrines of men, you would have to sit in your house and do nothing. You could not be a doctor for fear someone might get sick on Saturday or Sunday, and you would have to work. Some of these added rules can also become idols in that we follow them instead of God.
God gave us the bible so we would know what was right and wrong. When we add the doctrines of men and raise them higher than Gods laws in very many cases, we are in idolatry.
Most of this we add to Gods word is just to make us more righteous than the others that do not obey our own laws. Then we can look down our spiritual noses at them and it some how makes us look better.
Danny Hickman
There's actually a question that asks why Paul only speaks about meat sacrificed to idols, why not vegetables also. That shows the absolute misunderstanding of scripture on this topic. I was taught that same unscriptural thing.
Paul was talking about food, period. The old english translation used the word meat to mean food in general. Meat has a dubious reputation, so it was logically misunderstood to be what Paul was saying he'd give up eating if it caused another person to "stumble."
No! He was using hyperbole to make a point to a church that thought they knew way more than they knew. He was saying food isn't as important as a man's soul. He didn't mean the people who thought the food was sacrificed to idols would lose their soul. He said their conscience would be wounded. They'd see a brother who knows idols are imaginary eating food they thought was offered to idols, they'd eat it and think they were strengthened by it. Thus, their conscience would cause them to stumble. So Paul said he wouldn't eat anymore before he did such a thing.
It's strictly hyperbole. Paul can't stop eating altogether, and neither can we. He's making a point.
The church has traditionally taught that Paul was talking about animal flesh. HE WASN'T!! He meant food, period!! It's hyperbole!!!!
He wants us to care more for each other than we do our daily bread... It's a good teaching. But that's what it is. It's not about certain delicacies we should abstain from for our brothers and sisters.