So is eating things offered to idols right or wrong? When I read Acts, I thought the Apostles had settled the issue:
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Then along comes Paul who says no, it is okay as long as you're not offending someone.
1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
I find his criticism of people who obey the ruling of the Apostles unwarranted. Why accuse them of having a weak conscience?
If the life of faith teaches that we have full liberty, then it is the lack of faith to not fully believe that. And it is for freedom that Christ has made us free. And he who the Son sets free, is free indeed!
But that which lacks honor is be be given greater honor.
If you look a the full letter written by the council of the Apostles, they basically say, because the Jews living by you have been hearing Moses taught every week for all their lives, we want you to abstain from these things.
If we take the full understanding, it's to say that these are "in your face" to the Jews, so don't do them. It's a matter of love.
Notice, he didn't tell them to abstain from eating unclean animals. Or to be sure to wear blue tassels. Or to keep the Sabbath.
I'd also like to know how anyone could get food offered to idols unless he was at the temples of such idols. I wonder if he thought attending idolatrous services for free food would be considered "expedient" in his book.
Paul truly confounds me at times.
What I've been told is that they would sell meat that was offered to idols in the markets at reduced prices. So if you shopped from "that" meat counter, well, perhaps some of your Christian brothers may not want to eat with you. Or that you could get a cheap meal at the idol's temple.
Eating things offered to idols is fine, we all know the idol is nothing. They set a plate in front of a rock and mouth some words, it's all meaningless to us. It's just a rock, no matter what they think. Even in their minds offering food to a demon god, still, God made the porterhouse, the potato, the asparagus and mushrooms, the butter and parmesean and garlic, the triple fudge cake. So I don't care where they've been, it's my favorite meal, and I'm eating it!
But . . . if someone is there who believes we shouldn't, out of love for them, I'll pass. And then I'll go home and cry!
Much love!