Do Christians Have to Keep OT Dietary Laws? Should They?

The hosts of Knowing Faith tackle a deceptively simple question: do Christians have to keep Old Testament dietary laws? What begins as a lighthearted debate about salted watermelon quickly evolves into a deep theological exploration of the purpose and fulfillment of the Mosaic Law. The episode reveals that the dietary laws were not arbitrary but served as a visible marker of Israel’s identity as a 'contrast community' set apart from surrounding nations. Drawing from Scripture—from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 15 that 'what comes out of the mouth defiles a person' to Peter’s vision in Acts 10 declaring all foods clean—the hosts argue that the New Testament redefines cleanness not by food, but by the heart. The real issue isn’t what we eat, but how we love our neighbor. Christians are no longer bound by the ceremonial law, but this freedom demands greater wisdom, not less. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, 'Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.' The episode concludes with a powerful challenge: true discipleship isn’t about legalistic rules, but about living with intentionality, generosity, and moral depth in every choice—even when it comes to 100 pounds of crawfish.