can a christian eat food killed by a native doctor ...?

According to Webster's New World Dictionary, a shrine is "a place of worship, usually one centered around some sacred object or scene." Let us look at some general principles. When Noah came off of the ark in the patriarchal period, the Lord established Moral Law to guide them. Genesis 9:4 and 6 tell us: "But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. ... Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." These timeless moral laws emanate from God's moral nature. Some "native doctors" offer human sacrifices, and to slay an individual to eat (cannibalism) would be morally wrong.

If the meat was offered to a religious idol, then a host of other moral principles apply. If it was not human meat and not a sacrifice to idols, I do not see a Scriptural prohibition. But assuming it was meat sacrificed to idols, then 1 Corinthians, Chapter 8, provides guidance. In verse 4, the Apostle Paul instructed those who had been saved from a heathen, idol-worshiping culture. He wrote, "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols ....." He then set forth three things that must be considered. These three principles apply to far more than just "the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols" (verse 4). 

Principle (1): Knowledge. There were those who had "come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4) but their "knowledge" was causing them to be puffed up (1 Corinthians 8:1). They were not exhibiting "charity" to the newer converts who had not come to their level of "knowledge," or whose spiritual maturity had not developed as quickly as others. Paul told those Corinthians, if they were puffed up and did not exhibit "charity" (verse 1), then "he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (verse 2). 

In verses 4-6, Paul set forth the falsity of those idols, and since they are "nothing," then the eating is nothing and of no consequence. In verse 8, he stated, "For neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse." In reality, neither makes a difference unless one is involved in the practice of idolatry. First John 5:21 instructs, "Keep yourselves from idols."

Principle (2): Conscience. Paul revealed in verse 7 that it is a matter of conscience, stating, "For some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol." Because of their past experience and the immature development of their experience at the current time, they could not disassociate it from their previous pagan practices—"their conscience being weak" (verse 7). 

First John 3:20 tells us, "If our heart [several renderings offer it as 'conscience'] condemn us, God is greater than our heart [conscience]." An individual should not violate his conscience, but the "conscience" must be educated in truth. Therefore, the Apostle was instructing the Corinthians to exhibit patience and "charity" to those whose understanding has not developed to maturity. 

Principle (3): Consideration. This principle is set forth in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. Verse 9 speaks of becoming "a stumblingblock to them that are weak." Verses 10-12 speak of ones being so brash in their actions that Paul posed the question, "Shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" Paul so strongly denounced their activity that he styled it as, "Ye sin so against the brethren, and ... ye sin against Christ." Paul then announced the consideration in verse 13, writing, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh." This consideration is a principle that can be applied by the Holy Ghost to many different situations throughout life.

Earl R. Borders

From the March 2025 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter