Jonah: It’s clear that the Bible states in Leviticus 11:7-8, “And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” This directive is straightforward. The Lord has commanded us not to eat pork.

Carl: I understand where you’re coming from, and I respect the teachings of Leviticus. However, we must also consider the New Testament. In Acts 10:9-15, Peter had a vision in which he saw various animals and was told, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter was hesitant because some of the animals were considered unclean, but the voice told him, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This passage suggests a shift in understanding, indicating that under the New Covenant, food restrictions were no longer necessary.

Jonah: But the Old Testament is the word of God, just as much as the New Testament is. We cannot simply overlook it. When God forbids something, it’s for a reason. The prohibition of pork was not just a random rule.

Carl: I’m not suggesting we disregard the Old Testament. But the context matters. Jesus himself mentioned in Mark 7:18-19, “Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” Therefore, it’s not what we eat that makes us unclean, but what comes from our hearts.

Jonah: Still, Carl, one might argue that out of respect for God’s commandments, we should abstain. We are told repeatedly in the Bible to obey His laws.

Carl: True, obedience is crucial. However, the essence of Christianity, especially in light of Jesus’ teachings, is the spirit of the law over the letter of the law. In Romans 14:14, Paul says, “I am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” So, if you believe eating pork is wrong for you, then don’t. But we shouldn’t judge others who feel differently.

Jonah: Moving on, Carl, even if we consider the historical context, God’s commandments have a timeless quality. The prohibition against eating pork, among other things, was rooted in deep wisdom. Perhaps the conditions back then made it essential for health reasons, given the diseases pigs carried.

Carl: I appreciate your point, Jonah. The historical context is crucial to consider. Many of the Old Testament laws were given during a time when Israelites were wandering in the desert or living in conditions where they might not have had access to proper methods of cooking or preserving meat. Pigs, in particular, might have been prone to parasites and other health risks. But with advancements in cooking, farming, and health standards, those concerns are not as valid today.

Jonah: Even so, doesn’t it stand to reason that if God gave a specific commandment during a particular period, it had relevance beyond just that era? Perhaps there’s a deeper spiritual reasoning we’re not considering.

Carl: There could be, but remember, many religious and cultural traditions evolve based on the understanding of the times. For instance, dietary restrictions might’ve been both for health reasons and to set the Israelites apart from neighbouring tribes and their practices. The context matters. If we were to follow every directive from the Old Testament to the letter today, our lives would look very different.

Jonah: That’s my point, Carl. Maybe they should. Maybe by moving away from those laws, we are losing some essence of our relationship with God.

Carl: While maintaining a relationship with God is paramount, we also have to understand that our faith is dynamic. If Christianity didn’t adapt to varying contexts, it wouldn’t have spread across cultures and continents as it has. Remember, Jesus’ main message was love, understanding, and redemption. It’s the spirit of the teachings we should hold onto, not just the literal interpretations.

Jonah: Still, it seems like a slippery slope. If we start disregarding certain commandments based on historical context, where do we draw the line? When we talk about our faith, it’s essential to maintain its universality. Christianity is not supposed to be relative to cultural shifts or societal norms. The teachings are universal. When God said something was unclean or forbidden, shouldn’t that stand regardless of culture or period?

Carl: I appreciate the idea of the universality of Christian teachings. But let’s distinguish between the core essence of Christianity and its practices. The core, as I see it, revolves around the teachings of Jesus – love, compassion, redemption, and grace. These are indeed universal. But practices, like dietary restrictions, might vary based on culture or context. In 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, Paul speaks of becoming “all things to all people” in order to save some. This is about adapting without compromising the core message.

Jonah: But isn’t that dangerous? The moment we say some teachings can adapt while others remain rigid, aren’t we opening the door for future generations to modify Christianity based on their whims?

Carl: It’s a valid concern. However, the ability to adapt is also why Christianity has been so resilient and widespread. The Apostles went to various nations, spreading the Word, and they often had to adapt their teachings to the local context without changing the core message of Christ’s salvation. Take, for instance, the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, where it was decided that Gentile converts did not need to observe all Jewish laws. If the early church hadn’t made such decisions, the spread of Christianity might have been hindered.

Jonah: Still, the idea of Universalism suggests that the teachings apply everywhere, in all situations. If we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we should be wary of changing or adapting any part of it.

Carl: And I agree that the Bible’s core messages are universal and timeless. However, Universalism in the context of Christianity can also mean that the message of Christ’s love and redemption is for everyone, irrespective of their background, culture, or practices. And for that message to truly be universal, sometimes the methods or practices might need to adapt to better suit different audiences.

Jonah: I fear that we might end up diluting our faith if we keep bending to fit every culture or trend. The Word of God should stand firm.

Carl: And the Word will always stand firm, Jonah. It’s the way we share and live it that might differ. Remember, Christianity is about the heart and spirit, more than rituals or rules. As long as we’re grounded in Christ’s love, we’re on the right path.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.