re: #549 elbruce

Yep. Jewish theologians generally do a better job of making clear distinctions regarding whether God is talking in the particular moment to a particular person vs. laying down a law for everyone to follow. But even without that method, it’s quite a bit of an extrapolation to suggest that Peter’s experience establishes a new rule.

You’d think God would mention that if so. Or at least provide a list of what food items were on the sheet, so we’d know what was added to the list of approved foods.

Nah. The tradition of teaching through parables established quite well that a significant story should indeed be extrapolated. It’s not at all a stretch to understand Peter’s vision as a revelation that he was expected to share, although it’s not just about meat. Anyway, you may disagree with me on the extrapolation range, but not on whether there is any basis on which to declare that i’m no longer bound by kosher dietary law as a Christian and gentile.

That’s not what was said there:

I don’t see anywhere that God is saying no one is unclean because of their dietary habits. Rather, it says God “cleansed” (or at least exempted) the food on the sheet personally.

You didn’t read far enough in chapter 10.

27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”