Addressing mistranslation and misinterpretation 

Isaiah 66:15-17 ASV
(15)  For, behold, Jehovah will come with fire, and his chariots shall be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
(16)  For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many.
(17)  They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together, saith Jehovah.

THE MISGUIDED UNDERSTANDING OF UNCLEAN FOOD FROM THE TWISTING OF THE WRITINGS OF APOSTLE PAUL

I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean [G2839] of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean [G2839], to him it is unclean [G2839]. Romans 14:14 ASV


The Greek language is a very expressive language. It can express nuances that the English language cannot. For example, the expression of love in English is done with one word 'love'. By contrast, the Greek language sports a variety of words to express the love of God, of family, of sexual relationship. 

The same nuance is also observed with the English word 'UNCLEAN' which is a translation in the various English Bible translations of two Greek words identified by their Strong's numbers G169 and G2839.

Paul speaks of 'nothing is unclean by itself' in Romans 14:14 which the illiterate and unlearned (2 Peter 3:16) takes to mean that there is no unclean forbidden food anymore and, therefore, they teach that we may eat of any meat that is forbidden for consumption in Moses.

However, when Paul speaks of 'nothing unclean' he does not use the equivalent Hebrew word in Greek Strong's number 'G169' which denotes ceremonially unclean things like pork flesh. Instead, Paul uses the Greek word Strong's number 'G2839' as it is used for unclean or unwashed hands in Mark 7:2 before food consumption.

and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled [G2839], that is, unwashen, hands. Mark 7:2 ASV


Hence, we are totally misguided when we eat against the Law of God (Jesus) in Moses if we use Romans 14:14 to justify eating forbidden flesh meat like, for example, pig meat.

Ye shall not eat any abominable thing.  Deuteronomy 14:3 Brenton


while the pig is unclean [G169] for you because, although it has a separate hoof, it doesn't chew the cud. You are not to eat meat from these or touch their carcasses.  Deuteronomy 14:8 CJB


(2) I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who live in a way that is not good, who follow their own inclinations;  (3)  a people who provoke me to my face all the time, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on bricks.  (4)  They sit among the graves and spend the night in caverns; they eat pig meat and their pots hold soup made from disgusting things. Isaiah 65:2-4 CJB


At the cross, Jesus (God) did not all of a sudden enable the pig to 'chew the cud' which would fix the missing requirement that makes the pig unclean.

In all his writings, Paul does not declare ceremonial unclean things clean against the immutable Law of Moses, the sole record for word of God (Jesus).

G169: UNCLEAN PORK G2839: UNCLEANED HANDS G2839: NOTHING UNCLEANED

But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat do we have more, nor if we do not eat do we lack. 1 Corinthians 8:8 EMTV

If we are familiar with the quoted verse above, no one can present us with the permissions and restrictions in diet which are found in the Law of Moses which Jesus (God) says can never be changed in any way (Matthew 5:17-18). When we face apparent contradiction with Moses in the New Testament, the immutability of Moses must compel us to investigate the disputed text for correct translation and context. Paul is not the Lawgiver. As such, he does not have the authority to decree changes in Moses.

What is the context of 1 Corinthians 8:8?

In chapter 8, Paul speaks of idol sacrifices (Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. 1 Corinthians 8:1 ASV). Paul cannot be talking of ceremonially unclean food within the food sacrifices to idols. That would imply that it is permissible to eat ceremonially clean food that is offered to idols. Paul is not talking about the diet laws in Moses in the chapter. The question he considers has to do with eating food that was offered to idols.

Paul makes the general point that the idols are not really gods that we should be concerned about because they do not exist and, as such, the food was not offered to nobody. He makes the general statement that  in the eyes of God our diet does not give us any advantage over our fellow men.

Again, does Paul imply that it is permissible to eat forbidden food? Picture it if you can: Jesus (God) says not to eat pork flesh but if you do that is fine with me; or do not commit adultery but if you do I do not have any problem with that. Is not sin the breaking of a law of the immutable Law of Moses (James 2:10)? Paul cannot be teaching us in 1 Corinthians 8 that we may eat whatever pleases us even though that is contrary to the forbiddance of the Law of Moses. 

Case and point from the context.

In Acts 15, Paul, at the request of some others he had discussion with, was asked to go to the original Apostles and the elders in Jerusalem to settle the question of Mosaic circumcision of the Gentiles as a requirement for salvation (Acts 15:1-5). The original Apostles and the elders under the leadership of Paul decided that the Jews may not burden the converted Gentiles about circumcision and other doctrines because they already know Moses (Acts 15:20-21). Among other things, they decided that the Gentiles 'Abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Acts 15:29'. Those are teachings of the Law of Moses and they include the forbiddance not to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Now, how can anyone think that Paul writes against what the Apostles agreed upon in violation of the Law of Moses and teaches that it is permissible to eat food offered to idols, when he was charged to take a forbiddance message to the Gentiles? As Peter says, many illiterate and unstable false prophets are twisting the writings of Paul (2 Peter 3:16).

When Paul says that 'food does not commend us to God' in the context of eating food sacrificed to idols, he does give green light to eat forbidden unclean [G169] food and neither sacrificed food, against the Law of Moses (1 Corinthians 10:28).

Furthermore, we read that Jesus (God), in the book of Apocalypse (Revelation 2:14,20), takes issues with those who erroneously teach that it is permissible to eat food sacrificed to idols. 

In conclusion, neither Jesus nor the Apostles nor Apostle Paul is advocating the indiscriminate eating of forbidden food and meat in His writings. If he does, he is contradicting Moses, and Jesus (God) in Revelation 2:14,20. We know that Paul can never do that.

(20)  but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. (21)  For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath. Acts 15:20-21 ASV

that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.  Acts 15:29 ASV

But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake:  1 Corinthians 10:28 ASV

It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that ye shall eat neither fat nor blood.  (Leviticus 3:17 ASV)

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Revelation 2:14 KJV
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Revelation 2:20 KJV

What kind of forbiddance of food does Paul speak against? Of Moses or of men? Of men.

Paul writes about the precepts of men in ascetism or vegetarianism which is contrary to the Law of Moses. Yet, our strength in the faith to eat meat and drink wine (Romans 14:21-23) may not be used to the detriment of the weak in the faith. Note that Paul discourses on the topic of diet with the Romans (vegetarianism), the Corinthians (eating food in idol sacrifices and tradition of washing) and the Colossians (ascetism from doctrines of men). Paul's teachings is that the followers of Christ may not subject themselves to the precepts and doctrines of men which teach 'Handle not, nor taste, nor touch' (Colossians 2:20-23).

For example, a certain modern sabbatical religion forbids the eating of flesh meat because Jesus (God) did not create the stomach of Adam and Eve to eat meat and also based on scientific studies which prove that eating flesh meat is bad for our health and decreases lifespan. 

Mark 7:7 says that observing doctrines and teachings of men renders our worship worthless or vain. Compare Colossians 2:20-23.

(20) If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,  (21)  Handle not, nor taste, nor touch  (22)  (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?  (23)  Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20-23 ASV

(15)  For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.  (16)  Let not then your good be evil spoken of:  (17)  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (18)  For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.  (19)  So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.  (20)  Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.  (21)  It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.  (22)  The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth.  (23)  But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:15-23 ASV

(1) But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples.  (2)  One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.  (3)  Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Romans 14:1-3 ASV

Mark 7:7-8 ASV
(7)  But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
(8)  Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.

Which believer in Jesus (God) does not eat meat or drink wine? The weak.

The weak in the faith. And those in situations when eating meat, drinking wine, or anything else potentially cause a believer to stumble, get offended, or made week.

As Paul says, no kind of diet within what is permissible to eat gives us an advantage in the eyes of God because the Kingdom of God is not about food. We may decide to drink alcohol, eat meat, and eat and drink anything else by our own choice. However, we may not teach forbiddance in diet as if it is mandated by God (Jesus). For example, we may not forbid eating flesh meat because God (Jesus) did not create our stomach for food or because meat is the "poison" which God (Jesus) allows man to eat so that man can no longer live centuries and centuries on earth or because scientific studies show benefits in not eating meat. God (Jesus) did command man to kill and eat flesh but not to eat the blood and the fat (Leviticus 7:23-24). We may not use the name of God (Jesus) in vain to lie on God (Jesus).

If we eat the fat of the meat and clog our arteries, is that a sin? When Paul says that 'One man is assured that he may eat all things', does he imply that this man may eat the forbidden fat of meat? Can this kind of forbiddance or others like it, be fulfilled and nullified at the Cross?

One man is assured that he may eat all things; but the weak eats herbs.  (Romans 14:2 Darby)

It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.  Romans 14:21 WEB

Compare:
Let none therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in matter of feast, or new moon, or sabbaths,  Colossians 2:16 Darby

Leviticus 7:23-26 Darby
(23)  Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, No fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat shall ye eat. (24)  But the fat of a dead carcass, and the fat of that which is torn, may be used in any other use; but ye shall in no wise eat it. (25)  For whoever eateth the fat of the beast of which men present an offering by fire to Jehovah, the soul that hath eaten shall be cut off from his peoples. (26)  And no blood shall ye eat in any of your dwellings, whether it be of fowl or of cattle.


Paul discourses on the topic of diet with the Romans about vegetarianism, the Corinthians about eating food in idol sacrifices, and the Colossians about ascetism from doctrines of men. He does not speak about loosening the dietary laws of Moses.