What is the Hallelujah Diet?

First, for those who may not be familiar with the Hallelujah Diet, let me explain what it is. The Hallelujah Diet is a completely vegan (no meat or animal products of any kind – like milk and eggs) and mostly raw diet, based on the premise that God’s intended design is for us to eat this way. The foundation for this teaching is drawn from Genesis 1:29 and certain bodies of scientific research.

Is it Biblical?

Let me make it very clear that I do not believe there is anything wrong with a vegan diet. It is not sinful, and it can certainly provide all the necessary nutrition if it is followed conscientiously. [Editor’s Update, 2008 : I no longer believe this to be true.  I still believe it is not sinful, but I do not believe it can provide sufficient nutrition on a long-term basis.]  My concern is with the teaching that this is the only “natural” way – or the only God-ordained way – to eat. This teaching, in my perception, runs counter to the whole counsel of God and places an undue burden on His people.

[Tweet “I do believe God has given us some clear instructions about what is, and is not, healthy to eat.”]

I do believe that God has given us some clear instructions about what is, and is not, healthy to eat. I also believe that the standard American diet (SAD) is not healthy (or even close!). However, I believe that Rev. Malkmus and his followers have missed some important things, both in their science and, more importantly, in the Scriptures.

What About the Science?

In their science, I find several key inconsistencies. First, their goal is to avoid eating the five “killer foods,” as they call them. These include meat, dairy products, table salt, white flour, and processed sugar. The first inconsistency I see is that no distinction seems to be made between “normal” meat and dairy and organic meat and dairy. This is a significant oversight given that most of the references to the unhealthfulness of these foods comment specifically about the hormones and antibiotics.

The second inconsistency is that all of their comparisons are made between those eating a standard American diet (of fast-food burgers, soda, TV dinners, etc.) and those on the Hallelujah Diet. No mention is even made of those of us who eat meat and dairy but avoid (or, at least, usually avoid) processed flours, sugars, and salt. Thus, we don’t know if the results they mention are related to meat and dairy at all.

Third, most of their “big” testimonies are from individuals who were chronically ill before going on this diet. These people are not to be compared with other, healthy individuals. (The ill possibly do seriously benefit from a vegan diet in the short-term, as the greater energy which would be diverted to the digestive system in order to process the meat and dairy can instead be focused on restoring the body’s other systems. It does not necessarily follow that otherwise healthy people should eat this way regularly. Should we all eat only chicken broth on a daily basis?) Furthermore, the protocols described by “the HD people” do not sound remotely “natural” to me; they sound like supplementation instructions.

What About the Word?

Now we come to the real heart of the issue: what does God say about meat and dairy as foods? Are they, or are they not, part of His “approved” natural design for mankind? Let’s look at a few verses/passages/incidents which Hallelujah Dieters seem to have missed.

“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.” (Gen. 9:3)

This is God talking. God gave us animals for food. This was not just some “brilliant” idea man came up with on his own; it was God’s idea. Do we know better than God what He thinks or intends?

“Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household….Then they shall eat the flesh that night…” (Ex. 12:3,8a)

Again, this is God speaking. He commanded the Israelites to eat meat! In fact, we see this again, as He not only commands them to keep the Passover yearly, but legislates certain sacrifices which are to be regularly made to feed the priests (among other things).

Milk, butter, and meat were served to the angels who visited Abraham. (Gen. 18:8) The Promised Land is called the land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus referred to an egg as a good gift. (Lk. 11:12-13) Jesus fed fish to multitudes (Mt. 14:15-21 as one example) and ate fish Himself. (Lk. 24:42-43) In fact, it appears that Jesus ate red meat. (Jn. 13:1-4) Detailed dietary instructions were given to the Israelites – about which animals were good for eating (Lev. 11) and even, in some cases, how not to prepare them (Gen. 9:4; Ex. 23:19), but they were never instructed to avoid meat or milk. In short, the bulk of the biblical evidence seems to suggest that both meat and milk (and/or other animal products) are gifts from God to be enjoyed.

Raw Foods?  Historical Evidence?

Two other assertions remain to be challenged: that as much of our food as possible should be consumed raw, and that the ancient Hebrews were largely vegetarian.

I am not an archaeologist, but what I read in the Bible suggests to me that God’s children ate far more meat than we have been led to believe. I am sure they did not eat such disproportionate amounts as the average American today but, as the majority of the Old Testament patriarchs were herdsmen and many of the New Testament Apostles were fishermen, I find it very difficult to believe that meat was a rarity in their diets.

The Bible makes it clear, as well, that no insignificant portion of their food was cooked. Baking, boiling, broiling, frying, and roasting are all mentioned in the Scripures. The manna God sent in the wilderness was made into cakes. (Num. 11:8) The Passover lamb was roasted. (Ex. 12:8) The fish Jesus ate was broiled. (Lk. 24:42)

The Conclusion?

God gave us meat and milk for food. Let those who will, receive His gifts with pleasure, and let others not discourage them by calling evil what God has called good.