Confessions of a Food Catholic

by Douglas Wilson

You can sin with food in many ways: by not sharing it, but eating way too much of it, or by throwing it across the restaurant table, for example. But you do not sin with food by bowing your head over it, saying grace with true gratitude in your heart, and tucking in.

Sharp-edged but humorous, Confessions of a Food Catholic addresses the unscriptural approach to food that many Christians have developed in recent years. (By the way, a "food catholic" is somebody who accepts all eaters of all foods, even if the food catholic himself doesn't actually eat quinoa.) Specifically, the book addresses divisive threats to Christian table fellowship, the know-it-all pride of newfangled "health holiness" rules, and the dislocated moralism that makes "organic" and "natural" the signs of righteousness while disdaining the brethren who buy their beef at Stuffmart.

Wilson concludes with an enthusiastic Gospel application: Meals -- hot food, napkins, guests, clean up -- are a big deal, because they're about loving people, and ultimately pictures of the Lord's Supper itself. We should like meals more than we do.

Genres: Theology, Food, Nonfiction, Christian, Health, Christian Living, Christianity

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2016

About the author

I write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.

Reviews

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023: You really, really need to read this book. Pastor Wilson provides strong Biblical arguments to help you be on your guard against the latest food trend your friends are talking about.

2013:Are you a Christian who eats food on a daily basis? This book is for you.

[S. Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug’s classic writing style and an enjoyable read. Having worked at a large organic meat company, I’m a bit more open and charitable toward that side. I love the idyllic small hog farm, but at the same time understand the demands of our food system and think industrialized-sized farms can be run well and humanely. My time ‘behind the scenes’ on the marketing side of that world also had me heading toward a view closer to Doug’s. It’s complicated. Feels like a yes, but. Ultimately however, this is not Doug’s focus anyway. His focus is on those who create division and cast judgment others because of personal food convictions / fads. I wholeheartedly agree with him on this point, and think this is a timely book.

[Kaetlyn Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wilson’s overarching point that what matters most is the gratitude for our food rather than the ingredients of the food, is refreshing. Fellowship is more important than food. As an ex-orthorexic, I know this to be true. However, there is plenty of willful ignorance regarding the subject of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), CFOs (confined feeding operations aka factory farms) and other abominable practices in the food industry. We can admit that these things are a direct defiance of God and His creation, WITHOUT condemning those that partake in these things whether it be from a place of ignorance or simply not being able to financially afford the better choices. It is, after all, the producers that will answer for these atrocities and the fact that they leave the consumer very little in the way of choice when it comes to affordable healthy food. Christians who are in the place to make healthier choices should not do so from a place of haughtiness but stewardship.

Overall, Wilson’s inability to see that science can be (and is) bought unfortunately tainted many parts of what could have been a really great book. It definitely made me think, but I’ll stick with Joel Salatin next time.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book.

[Jeremy Gardiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great principles, needed book, but flawed. 3.5 / 5 stars

Wilson constantly hedges and clarifies to nullify any critique against his book (I'm not saying this....) so anything one says, has a line or a paragraph devoted to proving he doesn't actually believe or teach that. But despite his claims to not be a food egalitarian, that's honestly what he's promoting in this book.

His main points for food egalitarianism (a label he rejects) are that every generation has its fads that contradict one another (previously: enriched food and no breastfeeding, now: organic food and breastfeeding) and so one can't really can't say one is better than the other and in 10 years we'll all scoff at our current designations of healthy anyway. He also says we live longer than ever before, so our modern food can't be bad for you, but doesn't acknowledge we are also sicker than ever before. Sure longer lives may be evidence that the 'poison' designation of certain packaged foods might be hyperbole, but does skyrocketing rates of autism and cancer possibly say something too?

Wilson rightly tears down unbiblical food stances that make laws where there are no laws, but he makes the error of replacing them with a few of his own (communion bread should have gluten and meals should be eaten together, not alone).

Despite these critiques, the main premise of this book is solid and the principles taught are solid too. I do see the same epidemic that Wilson sees in Foodism, that is especially prevalent among Christian women. Lots of mommy guilt is going around especially concerning natural healing vs. western medicine and organic vs. chemicals. But I think the people who need to read this book the most will be turned off from reading it. Just as a poor person won't want to take advice on budgeting from someone who's drowning in debt, a person who cares about health won't want to take food advice from someone who refuses to acknowledge that green vegetables are superior to doughnuts (in health, not taste...let's be honest) or that cooking in butter is better than cooking in vegetable oil.

I do recommend this book, but hope he revises it in the future to be more dominionistic in the area of food and less snarky towards those who believe contrary to him.

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Wilson at his most Chestertonian. It was also full of good, practical applications of logical thinking. Wilson is right that food issues are an important pastoral concern in the Church today, and they need to be addressed biblically. Although you can see the seams a bit here and there where this book was mostly stitched together from blog posts, it all fits together smoothly, and the content is gold.

[Mason Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In classic Doug fashion, this book is poignant, witty, logical, theological, practical, pastoral & funny. I am convicted but also much more equipped to think Biblically about food.
One of my favorite points he makes is that Jesus cares about everything, even the food we eat, but He does not care about everything the same way we do. It’s our job to figure out how to care about food in the way Jesus does, which is Biblically.

Read this as soon as possible!!! Especially if you eat about three times a day…

[Nia Nimmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed hard and heartily!

Oh and amen, amen, and amen! Lest you think it is a comedy, here’s the thing, it’s not! It’s just truth but so obvious it’s funny, and of course Doug’s signature sarcasm will also warrant a laugh!

[Sean Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foodishness may be foolishness misspelled and incarnated. It might also be idolatry. Both are soul toxins, the kind that only come out by prayer (of thanks) and feasting.

I can't remember reading anything by Wilson where he felt so compelled to make so many qualifications, but I can only guess how many criticisms he's going to get anyway.

After reading this book I want to eat more healthily and eat more happily, which, as he points out again and again, is the way to a truly healthy soul.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent antidote to the way too many Christians approach their food and eating. Wilson uses logic and wit to expose some of the fallacies we too easily buy into. Our age is obsessed with what we eat and too often this leads to problems among Christians when it shouldn't. Naturally the answer is gratitude for all food including Big Macs. It could have been shorter, as Wilson repeats himself a bit.

Now he needs to write one on exercise and how Christians should approach it.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This topic has as clear a need as any for the application of Scripture and plain reason.”

Amen.

[ThePrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking, which the highest compliment I can afford. It has demanded self-reflection. A timely piece from Mr. Douglas Wilson.

[D. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and liberating. And the cover is wonderful.

[BrontëKas · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The most important things about food are the companions, seated around the table. The second most important thing is the table itself, the fact of gathering. The third most important thing would be the quality of the food consumed… Food disorders — among which I include false doctrines about food — arise from getting these priorities out of order.”

This one lacks finesse. I wish it were a bit shorter with some of the arguments whittled down to the actual point. But the meat and bones of this is good and helpful. Food itself doesn’t sin, sinners sin. Anytime you cast a sidelong glance at someone else’s plate, you should probably check your heart. Wilson spends a good portion pointing out the inconsistencies in definitions and the marketing ploys of big health food. Wilson chooses not to address any kind of objective food standard (although I kinda wish he did though I get that’s not his point and makes me part of the problem). Overall, Confessions is a helpful reminder to not take things too seriously and to never break fellowship over meals. Be grateful. Say grace. And sanctify your plate.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Wilson's take on the subject of American food culture, but the book could have used a lot more footnotes and a bibliography at the end to help readers trace where some of his claims are founded.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. My thoughts on food are confirmed, affirmed, and reaffirmed. I believe some will interpret Doug as suggesting that we're all going to die anyway, so we might as well eat and drink, despite the numerous qualifications he provides to the contrary. His main argument is that God cares about what you eat, but not in the way you think, so we should therefore be grateful for all foods. It also contained many funny and witty remarks.

[Darel Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was tough as it was my first nonfiction read after a trio of really good fiction, so big hurdle from the start. First the bad- seems they may have gone to print a bit quickly, quite a few typos, a bit of a distraction.

However, the thesis was very good. All food from fruit loops to grass fed eggs is to be received with thanksgiving. Indeed, the thanksgiving should come before the eating as we have plenty of biblical examples. Very edifying, and instructive - the ‘my perfect fuel to get me thru the workout, then business meeting’ needs some perspective, gratitude to have money to eat period, let alone selection of different letyuce types.

I do think there ought to have been a bit more space regarding the science of nutrition, eg proteins, fats, carbs and the wisdom of our choices. I suspect he has opinion on this but purposely shied away to keep his thesis- gratitude and food choice ought not separate.

I think the circles I run in would characterize food choice as that -wisdom vs moral, meat and veggies vs pasta and cream sauce on a consistent basis is akin to painting a house without a mask - nothing wrong with it but long term consequences might be unpleasant.

The only exception to this is one young vegetarian who does think it’s wrong to eat meat, have mercy on that idea…

Good to read

[Ashley Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why read this book? The author himself tells it well: “Because the Bible says that whatever you eat, it should be to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). But this concerns the way we come to food, not what food we come to. Jesus declared all foods clean (mark 7:19). When He declared all foods clean, He was not declaring all food-fussery clean. Just the opposite. Declaring all foods clean means that every attempt to make the foods unclean again is a vain form of uncleanness. It won’t work-the good cannot be defiles by this teaching, but the hearts can be.”

As someone easily swayed, especially since having my own children to feed I’ve come to realize, towards food worry and fussing, this was a helpful book on making sure my heart towards food (and towards the others I’m eating with) matches that of Gods. (And solidified my deleting of social media)

His chapters on love and gratitude around the Lords table were some of my favorites.

If you ever find yourself guilty about the happy meal, worried that you’re unable to budget for the latest health craze, confused by all the “science”, or wanting to love the body of Christ at the fellowship dinner/potluck better…read this book.

[Jehian Tiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It does often feel like the Lord is graciously steering us (My wife and I) away from major deep dives into doctrinal or ideological bear traps. That is to say that all the while He is maintaining a healthy trajectory for us via the hand of His Fatherly providence.

This book is another one of those sign posts to point you in the right direction when it comes to a biblical attitude to food. It's so easy to get uptight about being super crunchy and legalistic, or laissez-faire and nonchalant about the food we give thanks for, but Wilson heads both these off with an emphasis on objective truth along with sanctifying gratitude.
Super helpful.

[Allyson Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book to come out on Canon+ for so long and I am so thankful they finally released it! One of the reasons I am a supporter of Pastor Wilson's work is because he has labored to provide the Church with resources on applying the Bible to all of life, especially issues that go largely untouched in mainstream evangelicalism. This book is no exception. I needed it now more than ever as a newly married and pregnant Christian woman who wants to honor the Lord by serving her family good food but tends to fall prey to the trap of food fussiness and guilt. There is a lot for me still to ponder from his book and determine if I agree or not, but the main principle of gratitude being what sanctifies food and nothing else was very good for me to hear and think through.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very culturally relevant book, which I would recommend to all. People tend to freak out about food all over the political spectrum, and this book offers a universal pushback. I would quibble with a few points here or there. He says obesity is not an epidemic in America; he's making a valid point about the ridiculous way but that the medical system classifies people as overweight, but genuine obesity is far more prevalent in America than it has any right to be. I thought he was convincing in pretty much everything else though.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an edifying and funny read.
I may not agree with everything written in this book but I do agree that food fussiness should never break fellowship and that it is not my place to try to bind someone’s conscience on their food choices.
Wilson is very charitable towards the people that need to eat a special diet and he puts many qualifiers throughout the book to make sure the reader is not misunderstanding him.

I have been fussy with food in the past and sometimes that creeps back in, so this is a necessary read for me.
I can see me rereading this book and enjoying it every time.

[Ana Dau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, thought provoking read. I was challenged and encouraged and there are several sections I’d like to go back and read again as I’m not sure I agree 100%, but I found myself not offended in my difference of biblical exegesis but curious and desiring deeper study on the issue.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious! Full of savory sanity and tart satire. This is a book to devour for there is a famine of wisdom concerning food.

[John Rimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This makes for a great discussion and illustration of the weaker/stronger brother issue regarding Christian liberty issues. Very good.

[Caitlin Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good message squishing food self righteousness and food anxieties, but man i do not like the way Doug Wilson writes.

[Kaitlyn Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad Pastor Wilson addresses this subject.

[Colby Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful critique of getting swept up in all the latest food fads. I have been guilty of this before and so it was a good reminder that God cares a whole lot more about how we eat than he does about what we eat

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I found this book to be well written and poignant for today’s food culture. It seemed a little repetitive at times, but the main ideas Wilson is communicating on maintaining fellowship and gratitude when it comes to food are great. This book would be a great read for mom’s groups especially where a lot of these tensions can arise.

[Noah Kellum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pastoral book about how to think about food. Doug makes some good points about the folly of moralizing food choices and the importance of gratitude for whatever is set in front of us. He uses 1 Cor 10:25 to justify giving thanks for Twinkie’s and seed oils. The sentiment is good, but Paul said not to question what you’re given to eat, he was not referring to “foods” made from literal garbage that, if consumed, negative effects will be felt for weeks to months afterward. To be fair, Doug praises the virtue of good quality food, but shows he has no idea what particular foods anyone should be eating. He recommends relying on experts for healthy food choices, which only serve to help you die of cancer in your 60s or 70s.