My personal observance of a healthy lifestyle has had its
ups and downs. As a member of a church that promotes a healthy vegetarian
lifestyle, my youth was filled with vegetarian fare. My stay-at-home mother
made us whole wheat tortillas from scratch for our burritos, an amazing lentil
soup, and did her best to get us boys to eat what vegetables she could,
although the fruit was no problem.
At some point, I took to heart the scriptural relevance of
“not eating meat sacrificed to idols” and “one man eats only vegetables” as
related to faith rather than diet in order to take advantage of the freedom to
do as my conscience dictates. This decision may have been somewhat reactionary
to the borderline overbearing dogma I was hearing at the time from some in the church.
This issue of vegetarianism, among several others, was presented as being on
the same importance as any other matter, rather than at a second or third tier
importance verses a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I wonder how many others have had similar reactions?
Something has been happening across the western landscape in
recent years. People have begun to realize that the American diet in the modern
era has devastating consequences. Engaging Films such as Food Inc. and Forks over
Knives have made a persuasive argument for whole foods and the vegetarian
diet. Just this last week in the June 11, 2012, issue of Time magazine, a full article on health featured Rick Warren’s
Saddleback church. The program they are using is called the Daniel Plan, based
on Daniel 1:8,12. Really? The Daniel
Plan? I thought Adventists had the corner on that market of healthy living for
the past hundred years. Why aren’t we featured in Time magazine?
In the past, Adventists have been sited in several venues
such as “The Secrets of Long Life” published by National Geographic that highlighted the Loma Linda community, the
Adventist Health Studies, and lately Creation
Health by Monica Reed. These have
all contributed to an important conversation we are supposed to be having with
our neighbors and friends.
So how can we continue to be a part of the global dialogue
on health-related issues? We need to advocate and be published in our
institutions on a continual basis. We need to be fresh and relevant. Most of all, we need to keep the message in
its proper place in the context of religion.
This may prevent many who, like myself, “threw the baby out with the
bath water” because of the way this vital message was presented. The message is
relevant. The message extends the years
of life. The message extends the quality
of life. The message is a tool in the
tool box that points to instructions our Creator has given us on how to take
care of ourselves. The message is of secondary importance to the centrality of
Christ, but it is important nonetheless.
So the next time I’m eyeing Four Rivers, I just might keep
heading down the road and enjoy Ethos restaurant instead. It’s fresh, it’s
relevant, and it’s important.
Richard Hickam
I think one problem we have had is that we emphasize what you shouldn't eat rather than emphasizing health itself. There were times in my former years as a vegetarian that I needed to get some fast food and had French fries and a milkshake. It's vegetarian but no where close to healthy. Fortunately I had a pastor help me realize that moderation and being healthy were more important than what I didn't eat. And neither is as important as Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAs Western culture folks have tired of the medical model of healthcare, and they have searched for other sources to enliven their spiritual lives, they have embraced diets and concepts gleaned from Buddhism and Hinduism, etc. Celebrities and sports idols have also introduced health practices from their worldwide associations. Much of this has been helpful and we can be thankful that God speaks to people everywhere. Yet, somehow Christianity dropped the ball on whole person health. We can sponsor education and should, however, there is much lack of tolerance for anything that might be Christian. People are spending big money to learn about raw, vegan, organic food as a way to save themselves. Somehow we have to connect God's love with health practices--not making money or just living longer, although that might result.
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