Discussion Board

Dr. John McDougal
http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/040100puproteinoverload.htm

Can somebody explain to me why Dr. McDougal would quote this passage? Paul appears to be calling vegans "weak".

What am I missing?
Mary

According to the notes in my ESV Study Bible, this particular passage is more about tolerance for others:

14.1 "Paul addresses a specific dispute over whether Christians need to abide by Jewish food laws. Paul clearly sides theologically with the "strong" (who did not feel compelled to follow those laws), but he encourages them not to despise or scandalize the weak. As for the one who is weak, the exhortation here is directed to the strong, for they are tempted to enter into quarrels with those who have a weaker faith."

14.2 "The strong are operating in their belief that all foods are permitted. Notice that Paul does not say that the weak are exhibiting faith by their abstaining. The weak eat only vegetables, probably so that they avoid the risk of eating unclean foods (cd Dan. 1:8, 10, 12, 16)."

Daniel's Faithfulness
"But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food [meat], or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. (9) and God gave Daniel favor and compassion..."

Dr. McDougall states the same when he introduces this passage:
"Two thousand years ago, in this Bible passage, Paul asked for tolerance between meat eaters and vegetarians (Romans 14:1-2). "

Paul was talking also about the practice of eating meat from animals THAT WERE SACRIFICED TO PAGAN IDOLS. Some new Christians, fresh out of their old pagan religions, didn't want anything to do with meat that had been sacrificed in the pagan rituals they had walked away from. They considered it sin to eat such meat. Others did not.

Paul was simply saying to the "strong" (those whose faith allowed the eating of such meat) not to despise the "weak" (who did not want anything to do with the meat) and reminding the "weak" not to judge the "strong" for eating it. It doesn't really have to do with vegetarian vs. meat eater. It has to do with new Christians WITHOUT desire to eat pagan sacrificed meats vs. new Christians WITH a desire to eat it.

In this day and age, it would be like a non-drinking Christian accepting and loving a Christian who has no problem with alcoholic beverages, and vice versa.

Thank-you for your replys. I understand who Paul was talking to and why. I wanted to know why Dr. McDougall would use such a scripture in his writings?

It perplexed me, as I thought Seventh Day Adventists were all about proving with the Scriptures that God's whole intent was for us to be Vegan. Yet, this prooves that the New Testament, which overrides the Old with Christs sacrifice, that all things are permissable, even if not all things are edifying.

In addition, not eveybody knows the scriptures and the context in which they are written, so to use this quote in an article, seems anti-productive if you look at it with the eyes and understanding of somebody who was not raised on the Scriptures.

See what I mean? The person would say: "You just wrote a highly annotated paper FOR veganism and now you are telling me your Scriptures say those who eat only vegetables are weak? Uh, I'm confused."

No big deal, not trying to put Dr. McDougall on the spot. Just hit me as odd.

I do not believe that Dr. McDougall is a Seventh Day Adventist although he has appeared on SDA's TV programs and conducted his clinic for a number of years at one of their medical facilities.

I believe Dr. McDougall was quoting this bit of scripture to make a point about tolerance between individuals who have different views on dietary practices as opposed to which diet was 'right' or 'wrong', 'weak' or 'strong', or the reasons for that particular belief.

Guess it is immaterial is you are right or I am.

Yes, mabye it is that simple.

It's about group-think and schools of thought. That's why he says don't wait for consensus. Just like in religion (or politics) where there are schools of thought of what's right and wrong, good and bad, there are schools of thought in nutrition. Not all will lead to health in the long run, even if they seem fine in the short. Do all roads lead to Heaven? Depends who ya ask. Guess we won't really know the answer to that question 'til the fat lady sings.