I was first drawn to this topic when, while eating cake and ice cream, my youngest son noted that the Gospel of Luke says, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24, NASB) Could this be a reference to the need to be skinny to enter the Kingdom of God? Note that it says "will not be able". These will try to enter; their attitude seems to be one of seeking God. Yet they "will not be able". A parallel passage occurs in Matthew: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it" (Matt 7:13-14). Since obesity was not only a problem in ancient Israel, but was also in NT Judaea (they would strain at a gnat and swallow a camel [Matt 23:24]), it is understandable that many would be able to enter through the broad gate, but few through the narrow one.

There is other evidence that the NT views obesity as an obstacle to eternal life. Jesus said, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). Why? It is generally accepted that the rich were better fed, and thus larger around (cf. Luke 16:19f).2 It is not the riches which will keep the wealthy out, but their waistline.

Christians are urged to be careful about what they do with food, for it can be a stumbling block for others. The Apostle Paul has much to say on the topic. First, it is possible to keep someone out of the kingdom of heaven by making them overeat, for he says, "For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died" (Rom 14:15).

Paul says more about food. He warns his readers that the stomach will eventually be destroyed: "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food; but God will do away with both of them" (1 Cor 6:13). Because of Paul's recognition that obesity can keep one out of the kingdom of heaven, he says, "I will never eat meat again" (1 Cor 8:13). He also says that it is good for Christians "not to eat meat" (Rom 14:21). Acts also echoes this sentiment. The council of Jerusalem urged the Gentiles to "abstain from eating meat" (Acts 21:25).

The NT recognizes that food can be a tool of Satan. Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones to bread (Matt 4:3), and it was during SUPPER that Judas left to betray Jesus (John 13:2). Paul also recognizes that food can be a tool of Satan, for he speaks of "a messenger of Satan" who was sent to "buffet" him (2 Cor 12:7). This, however, appears to contradict another statement in 1 Corinthians, where he says that he WILL "buffet" his body (1 Cor 9:27).

The New Testament also connects food and bad teaching. Jesus told the disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matt 16:6). The writer of Hebrews offers a similar view, making an overt connection between food and bad teaching. "Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited" (Heb 13:9). Food is thus connected with bad teaching, and bad teaching which allows people to eat too much results in an inability to enter through the narrow door.

The spirituality of John the Baptist is made evident by his diet: locusts and wild honey (Matt 3:4; Mark 1:6). While the honey would be a highly caloric food, the locusts would sufficiently curb his appetite so that he would not become overweight. As for those who came to John the Baptist, they were urged to "bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt 3:4). Fruit is far less likely to cause obesity than other foods, and therefore will decrease the likelihood that obesity will keep one out of the kingdom.

Dieting is promoted in the New Testament. When Jesus fed the 5,000 with only a few loaves and a few fish (Matt 14:19-21), He was teaching that you can get by with a lot less than you think. (Also note that no dessert was served.) Likewise, Jesus assumed that His followers would fast (Matt 6:16).

Exercise can also help one to enter the kingdom of heaven. We are urged to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1), and to "run in such a way that you may win" (1 Cor 9:24; look up other passages on "endurance" yourself). Physical exercise is thus seen as having eternal merits.

CONCLUSION

Obesity is a weighty matter in New Testament teaching. It will prevent one from entering into the kingdom of God. Instead, Christians should avoid overeating, but should emphasize the consumption of fruit, and exercise, so that they will be able to fit through the entrance into eternal life.

Dr. William P. Griffin

Biblical Nutritionist

October 12, 1997

1. The present study is indebted to K. Banner, E. C. Helmer, and J. L. Henderson, "Israelite Obesity in the Period of Solomon's Monarchy".

2. J. Hernando, "Riches, Wealth, and the Fatted Calf".