Was the original biblical diet actually vegan?
In short: While many view meat-eating as a fundamental part of biblical history, a long-standing tradition of Christian vegetarianism suggests otherwise. From the Garden of Eden to the ascetic practices of early Gnostics, some argue that a plant-based lifestyle was God's original, intended design for all living creatures.
The theological argument for Christian vegetarianism often begins with the Genesis creation narrative. Proponents point to verses 1:29–30, which describe God providing every plant yielding seed and every fruit-bearing tree as food for humans, while prescribing green plants for all land-based animals. Because God declared this initial creation 'very good,' many argue that the original state of the world was inherently vegan.
This vision is further supported by the 'Peaceable Kingdom' imagery in Isaiah 11, which depicts a future restoration where predators like lions and wolves live in harmony with prey like lambs and calves, eating only straw. For some, this eschatological vision serves as a mandate to adopt vegetarianism now, viewing the role of humanity not as masters of dominion, but as stewards or servants responsible for the flourishing of all creation.
However, the biblical text also contains complexities that complicate a purely vegetarian interpretation. Following the Great Flood, Genesis 9:3–4 explicitly permits Noah and his family to eat animals, provided they avoid consuming blood. Some scholars suggest this was a temporary concession to a 'Fallen' humanity, or perhaps a permission limited to scavenging animals that had already died. Conversely, others interpret the famous vision of Peter in Acts 10—where he is told to 'kill and eat' from a sheet of various animals—as a metaphor for radical human inclusion rather than a change in dietary law.
Historically, the practice has varied widely. While not a common dietary choice throughout all of Church history, certain groups like the Ebionites believed Jesus and John the Baptist were vegetarians. Various religious orders, including the Benedictines and Franciscans, have practiced pescetarianism, and figures like John Wesley and Ellen G. White have advocated for plant-based diets. Today, organizations like the Christian Vegetarian Association continue to promote these ancient ethical and spiritual traditions.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Christian vegetarianism
- Also: PloS one — Muslim religious leaders' views of climate change: An international survey. · CC BY
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