Paul’s Teaching on Food Offered to Idols in 1Corinthians 8:1-13, 10: 23-11:1 and Its Implication for Christianity in Africa

Abstract

This article examines Paul’s teaching on food offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and 10:23-11:1 and its implication for Wesleyan Christianity in Africa. The approach is qualitative as it enables one to explore ideas, words, and meanings. The historical-critical method and contextual tools are used to interpret the biblical text. As an apostle of freedom, Paul advocated absolute freedom in Christ and the freedom to restrict or sacrifice one’s freedoms for another’s sake. Believers find freedom at its best when they abide by ‘Paul’s five ground-rules for life together in Christ’. This study spotlights the challenge of telling and living out the good news in everyday life as well as the ‘challenge to allow the gospel to address and confront, when necessary, issues of everyday Christian conduct’ with the African worldview. The study also reveals that the participants in eating food offered to idols are subjects for redemption and thus need specific pastoral attention.