Dangerous Food: Corinthians 8-10 in Its Context

Richard C. Smith is a professor in the Classics Department, University
of Alberta.

This is the fifth volume in the excellent Studies in Christianity and
Judaism series overseen by the Canadian Corporation for Studies in
Religion. Since the avoidance of food sacrificed to “idols” is one
of the marks of the Jewish community in the period of the Roman Empire,
it seems appropriate to have an investigation into the attitudes of
early Christians on the subject, particularly those of the Apostle Paul.

The study first looks at the archaeological evidence in the area of
Corinth for the use of food in relation to fertility goddesses Demeter
and Kore, and to the healing god, Asklepios. This is followed by a
general affirmation of the social importance of meals (which often
contained sacrificed food) in Greco–Roman culture; not eating such
meals would thus require a cultural isolation from society similar to
that practised by Judaism.

In contrast to popular scholarly opinion, Gooch argues that Paul does
not separate himself from the Jewish tradition in this area (as he did
in regard to circumcision and kashrut or ritual food-purity
requirements). Paul’s position was in line with the conservative
interpretation (which came to be orthodox Christianity) that demanded
that Christians must assume significant social penalties if they are to
be faithful to their basic loyalties.

What was a matter of concern for Paul was not the food itself, but
rather giving social support to a set of false religious and cultural
values by eating it either in the general area of a temple or in homes
where it was explicitly linked with any form of non-Christian worship.
The Corinthian attitude, according to Gooch, rejected Paul’s demand
that everyday life must try to be a witness to, not a genial concealing
of, one’s basic loyalty. This rejection led to tensions within the
church at Corinth, but Paul’s position is shown to have become the
basic position of the Christian community. As in Judaism, “The earth
is the Lord’s,” but Christians too must demonstrate allegiance to
their faith.