idols and knowledge

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Our section for today is full of quotes that scholars believe came from a letter to Paul from the Corinthian church. The issue discussed is whether it is OK for Christians to eat meat sacrificed to idols or not. The letter to Paul seems to make the argument that since Christians know that idols aren't really gods it is fine to eat food sacrificed to them. Paul agrees in part, because he thinks it's true that strong Christians won't be hurt by eating food sacrificed to idols, since idols aren't real.

At the same time, he reminds them that not everyone in the church is so firm in their knowledge. In fact, many Christians are recent converts from idols, and though they now know that Jesus is Lord, they are still used to idols having power. If these newer Christians see strong Christians eating food sacrificed to an idol they might think that idolatry has a place in the church, which would risk leading them back to the idols they left behind. While idol worship isn't such an issue in the church today, the bigger principle is important. Christians are free in most things, but we are also called to think about the impact of our actions on others. When we think about how we will act we have to consider not just whether it is OK in itself, but also whether it might hurt someone else's faith. In all things we are called to seek love, which builds up the community.

God bless,
Sam

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.


7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.