21. Immunity (Leviticus 11:9-28)

• Jun, 23 2025

1. Holiness Is Physical and SpiritualThe laws in this passage separate clean and unclean animals—fish, birds, insects, and land animals—based on God’s classification, not human tradition or preference. For example:Clean fish: Must have both fins and scales.Clean insects: Only locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers.Unclean birds: Always birds of prey or scavengers (e.g., owls, vultures, bats).The repeated label “abomination” (Heb. shegats, meaning filth) shows these are not trivial matters. They are pollutants to the body and soul, and touching their carcasses renders one ceremonially unclean. 2. Uncleanness = Contamination + Covenant ViolationWenham’s observations (cited by Rushdoony) emphasize that:Touching dead carcasses (even of clean animals, if not lawfully killed) makes one unclean until evening.The uncleanness is contagious: it affects people, clothing, and household items.The system teaches spiritual attentiveness and discipline: obedience to God's Word is the first line of health and holiness.“Our separation from filth unto holiness… gives us health and life in His service.”3. Scientific and Medical ConfirmationRushdoony points out that modern epidemiology supports the health value of kosher laws. He cites examples of Jewish communities’ immunity to plagues and cholera, despite poverty and poor sanitation—something even 19th-century Presbyterian scholar S.H. Kellogg highlighted. These laws are protective immunological boundaries, not outdated ritualism.Even the methods of kosher meat preparation (cold soaking, salting, draining) have practical hygienic effects. Eating forbidden animals—especially bottom feeders, predators, and scavengers—undermines the immune system. Rushdoony calls such practices a form of self-poisoning. 4. Spiritual Discipline: Not Preference, but ObedienceQuoting rabbinic tradition, Rushdoony highlights the proper attitude:“I like [swine’s flesh], but must abstain seeing the Torah has forbidden it.”This exemplifies self-control and theological obedience, not mere cultural custom. The dietary law isn’t about what man prefers, but about what God requires. 5. Biblical Classification > Evolutionary ScienceModern biology’s taxonomy often assumes evolutionary kinship, but Leviticus offers a functional, covenantal classification system that reflects God’s created order. The distinction is not merely physical, but moral and symbolic—clean animals point to lawful dominion, purity, and productivity, while unclean animals represent predation, death, and disorder. 📜 Application: Holiness Extends to the Immune SystemGod’s law touches every detail of life—including what’s on your dinner plate. These dietary statutes were designed to:Train God’s people to discern and obeyPreserve their health and fertilitySet them apart from pagan cultureGlorify God through discipline, not indulgenceRushdoony connects this to Deuteronomy 7:11–15, showing that covenantal obedience results in health, prosperity, and divine favor. 🔍 SEO Summary for Search Engines:Biblical dietary laws explainedWhat does the Bible say about eating pork and shellfish?Rushdoony on clean vs unclean animalsLeviticus 11 commentary with modern health insightsKosher food and immunity in the BibleObedience and health in the Old TestamentAre God’s food laws still relevant for Christians?

Author

R.J. Rushdoony

Chalcedon Founder

Narrated by

Nathan F. Conkey

Narrator, teacher, missionary