About the Author

Best-selling author Hope Egan is deeply invested in exploring biblical principles, particularly those related to dietary laws. She has written a variety of books, including “Holy Cow! What the Bible Says About Eating Meat” and co-authored “What the Bible Says About Healthy Living Cookbook: Simple and Tasty Recipes Featuring God’s Ingredients.” Additionally, she has contributed to numerous magazines and websites, including Faith & Fitness Magazine and Natural News. She is also the founder of biblicaleating.net, the Internet’s best source for biblical eating information and resources. Hope is of Jewish ancestry and believes in Jesus Christ as her savior.

Synopsis

The simple act of eating is something that impacts our daily lives. We’re bombarded by nutritionists, doctors, government entities, and other “experts” with conflicting advice. In the book “Holy Cow,” Egan seeks God’s word from the Bible, from the Creator and ultimate physician. She explores the biblical foundations of dietary laws and their relevance for Christians today. From the very first part of the book, Egan clarifies that biblical eating is not a matter of salvation, nor is it about achieving a right standing with God. Rather, it’s about God’s standard design for food. The book provides historical context, addresses common misconceptions, and presents practical advice for integrating these dietary principles into modern Christian life. Egan shares her personal journey and reflections, enriched by scripture and thoughtful questions for deeper contemplation. Overall, Hope Egan does a pretty good job of unpacking it all in an easy-to-understand way. This book offers a good starting point for anyone interested in what the bible says about eating biblically. 

Key Points

“Holy Cow!” covers several key themes. Below is a helpful summary of bullet points about the book:

Food and Faith Journey

• Egan emphasizes that dietary laws are a facet of faith, not its core. She stresses the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. Without this wholehearted devotion, dietary practices can become legalistic and soul-crushing.
• Personal anecdotes illustrate the challenges and benefits of adopting biblical dietary laws, making the content relatable and engaging.

Historical Context and Cultural Observations

• Egan touches on historical anti-Jewish sentiment, referencing figures like Martin Luther to explain the resistance some Christians have towards Jewish dietary habits.
• She humorously recounts her personal experience of discussing dietary laws in Christian settings where pork and other unclean foods were on the menu – which I found relatable.

Scriptural Foundations

• Egan lays out important biblical passages about food from the Old and New Testaments, arguing that these laws were given to all of mankind, not just the Jewish people.
• She challenges the common Christian perspective that Old Testament laws were nullified by Jesus, providing evidence that these laws were meant to be perpetual.

Common Misunderstandings

• Egan addresses more complicated passages head-on.
• She addresses misconceptions about Peter’s vision in Acts, clarifying the correct interpretation that the vision was about people, not food.
• She discusses the continuity of biblical laws, noting prophecies in Isaiah and Zechariah that indicate these laws will also apply in the future.

Practical Application and Reflections

• The book includes “Questions to Ponder and Consider,” encouraging readers to reflect deeply on their own practices and beliefs.
• Egan provides insights into kosher practices, emphasizing the health reasons and benefits of these ancient dietary guidelines and how they align with modern scientific understanding.
• She also delves into the nuances of Jewish kosher rules, which I found additionally helpful to understand.
• Further, she sheds light of modern methods of food production and the major issues associated with it.

Critical Analysis

Egan’s presentation is notable for its balance and accessibility. Her approach avoids legalism, instead focusing on the spiritual and health benefits of biblical dietary laws. The personal stories and humor make the book engaging, while the scriptural backing provides a solid foundation for her arguments. Some readers, however, might find her focus on Old Testament laws challenging, particularly those who believe these laws were fulfilled and no longer applicable.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• The main strength is that “Holy Cow!” is a very readable book due to the author’s humor, easy-to-navigate flow of thoughts, and simplified explanations of complex themes.
• The book’s relatable anecdotes and humor make complex theological concepts accessible.
• The inclusion of scriptural references and reflection questions adds depth and encourages personal engagement.
• Egan’s thorough research and balanced approach offer a fresh perspective on a traditional topic.
• The additional section at the end co-written by Bible teacher D. Thomas Lancaster adds a level of topical authority and extra theological insights.
• There is a useful appendices section that includes scriptural references, additional information from “Holy Cow! There’s More,” and a list of clean and unclean animals.
• Finally, the book also includes a substantial bibliography, with 40 authors’ works for additional reference on the subject.

Weaknesses

• Some Christian readers will likely find the focus on Old Testament laws controversial.
• The reference to extra-biblical texts from Apocryphal books, cited in the appendices section, may not be well-received by some readers.

Personal Reflection

“Holy Cow!” provided me with a deeper understanding of biblical dietary laws and their relevance today. Egan’s exploration challenged my assumptions and enriched my faith journey. Her balanced and reflective approach made the book both informative and spiritually uplifting.

Recommendation

I highly recommend “Holy Cow! What the Bibe says about Eating Meat” to anyone interested in the intersection of faith and dietary practices. Whether you are curious about biblical eating or looking for a deeper scriptural understanding, this book offers valuable insights and encourages thoughtful reflection.

The information and resources contained in Holy Cow! lend to the book’s quality – it is well worth purchasing a hard copy for your reference shelf. In summary, “Holy Cow!” by Hope Egan presents a significant exploration of biblical dietary principles, inviting readers to reconsider their dietary choices in light of their faith. It is a compelling read for anyone seeking to align their lifestyle with biblical teachings.

Source Citation

Egan, Hope. (2005). “Holy Cow: Does God Care About What We Eat?” First Fruits of Zion.

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Book Review: Holy Cow! What the Bible says about Eating Meat. Copyright © 2024 Vintage Virtues. All Rights Reserved.