Have you ever heard someone say, “The Bible says you can’t get a tattoo.” or “God’s law says women shouldn’t dress like men,” or made some truth statement about Christian conduct based on The 10 Commandments, or one of the laws from Leviticus or Deuteronomy?
Can New Testament Christians (most of us reading this) spurn these laws, since they were written for West Semites of long ago? Or, on the other hand, which Biblical laws must apply to Christians today? I’ve noticed a bit of a pick and choose sort of thing, have you?
Paul says Christ fulfilled the law…but how does this play out practically in Christian living?
Opinions vary. Culture or our experiences can overshadow our decisions on this stuff. It doesn’t just break down into categories of legalist vs. lawless.
I’d like to address that today.
I won’t do it alone. Instead I’ll defer to a far smarter person than me. A helpful PDF document here, from my professor at ETS, Dr. David Dorsey, may inform your study of God, and improve your Christian living or outlook.
Try to muscle through the academic nature of this excerpt. Highlighted words are linked to definitions, if you need them. And please comment or respond in some way.
David Dorsey– An excerpt from last page of article:
[JETS 34:3 (September 1991) p. 312-322]
I would suggest the following theocentric hermeneutical procedure for applying any of the OT laws, whether the law be deemed ceremonial, judicial, or moral:1. Remind yourself that this law is not my law, that I am not legally bound by it, that it is one of the laws God issued to ancient Israel as part of his covenant with them. When I look at this law I am looking over the shoulder of the Israelite (just as I am, for example, when I consider one of God’s messages through Jeremiah to the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the final days before the city’s fall).
2. Determine the original meaning, significance and purpose of the law. What was its point? Why did God issue it? What apparently were his motives in giving it? (Allegorizing, spiritualizing and typologizing here are counterproductive, succeeding only in obscuring the original significance and purpose of the law.)
3. Determine the theological significance of the law. What does this law reveal about God and his ways? A law, as mentioned, reveals a great deal about the lawgiver. What does this law reflect about God’s mind, his personality, his qualities, attitudes, priorities, values, concerns, likes and dislikes, his teaching methodologies, the kinds of attitudes and moral and ethical standards he wants to see in those who love him? In spite of the fact that these 613 laws were issued to another people who lived at another time under very different circumstances than ours (again, like the prophetic oracles of Jeremiah), they come from the God whom we too serve, and they represent a vast reservoir of knowledge about him and his ways.
4. Determine the practical implications of the theological insights gained from this law for your own NT circumstances. To take an example from the civil laws, Exod 22:25 states: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.” First, this law is not my law. It was part of Israel’s covenant with God (Christian bankers can relax—for a moment). Second, as far as the point of the law is concerned, it forbids the charging of interest when lending to a poor person, presumably to assist the person who is in a financial crisis in such a way that his recovery will be possible and the repayment will not be overly burdensome. A second purpose is undoubtedly to encourage the individual Israelite to be openhanded and generous, to be sensitive to the needs of the poor, and to be ready and willing to help needy people in practical ways even when it will not result in one’s own financial gain.
What theological insights come from this law? The Person who issued this law is obviously concerned about the physical and emotional well-being of the poor. Moreover he apparently wants his people to have a similar sensitivity toward the poor, to be willing to help the needy sacrificially.
If you are interested, read the full document here. (10 pages)
Have you thought about the Bible this way? Share something.
I’m going to try to keep this brief.
Jesus fulfilled the Law – the Law being that which was required for the remission of sin….of course, He followed every law during His life from being dedicated in the temple to observing the Passover (and all the other feasts and festivals)…..
What laws do we have to follow now? None. But, the great thing is…even before Jesus – the conditions were the same….we didn’t have to follow any laws. Nothing has changed from the “old testament” to the “new testament” in that respect. From Genesis to now – our righteousness has never been determined by following the Law…it has always been determined by our faith. Abraham was called righteous because of his faith – and also in the new testament we are called righteous by our faith….not by what we do. and faith is a gift – so I can’t even brag that I have more faith than someone else…
Now, does that mean that I am above the law?? NOPE. The difference between the OT and NT law is the means by which it is written. the OT law is written on stone – a heart of stone – the NT law is written on a heart of flesh – my heart. And, although I don’t have to “follow” or “obey” the law – there are and will be the responsibility of my actions based on the consequences of the law….as it has been since Genesis.
I could go on and on….this is an exciting topic for me…in fact, I love it! When I finally realized the fullness of the Gospel and of God’s Heart – the more enraptured I became with Him and His Kingdom! I wish I could write more – but I need to make dinner. :)
I’m of the opinion that Jesus didn’t observe all the Jewish laws, even some very common or important ones. Speaking with the Samaritan woman, and staying in her town would have required him (and his followers) to be purified at the temple. He didn’t do that. Physically touching lepers?…same thing. And there are plenty more examples.
Right Lisa. I agree with that – Jesus didn’t follow all of the Jewish Laws….but He did follow every Law that is established by His Father. When I speak of the law or laws – that’s what I am talking about. I am not talking about the road-block laws that were written (or not written in some cases) by the Jewish hierarchy. It was those laws that he broke through so that ALL people could come to the Father.
I am reminded of something my friend and teacher spoke:
If you seek to always live by this ONE commandment: That you LOVE one another as Christ has loved us (John. 13:34; 15:12). Then I will never need to mindful of any other LAW besides! For the entire LAW is FULFILLED in this One Word.. .L O V E! (Gal. 5:14).
This is how Christ fulfilled The Law….He did so because he never for a moment lived, breathed, or acted out of anything but Love.
You put that well and appreciate that sentiment. I’m off to meditate on that truth.
I like to believe that when we “get to heaven”…..The Father will be there to embrace us – no matter what our charges. The question He will ask us will not be inquiring into how many scripture passages we have memorized, how many churches we have planted, how many marriage ceremonies we have performed, the level of seminary training we have, or even the number of souls that are in Heaven as a result of our earthly ministry…but rather, He will ask “How well have you Loved?”