The Old Testament Law And The Gospel - 1225 Words

Church leaders have sought to define the relationship between the Old Testament Law and the Gospel, while seeking to determine the applicability of Old Testament laws for Christian believers. Unfortunately, a consensus among modern theologians remains unattainable, producing a spectrum of views on the subject. Contention primarily arises over obedience to â€Å"customary laws,† principally the requirement for Christians to observe the Sabbath. While brevity excludes a thorough examination of the subject, this essay will laconically detail the relationship between the law and the Christian believer, arguing (1) the Mosaic Law cannot be divided and categorized as some have suggested, and (2) adherence to the Mosaic Law is not an obligation for†¦show more content†¦Even the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:1-17) show an intermingling of moral laws (you shall not murder) and ceremonial laws (remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy). Second, the New Testament suggests conti nuity within the law (Gal. 5:3; James 2:10; Matt. 5:18), seemingly excluding the possibility of division. Addressing this issue, theologian Douglas J. Moo concludes, â€Å"...in general, it is notoriously difficult to know from the Old Testament itself which commandments should be placed in the category of ‘moral’ and therefore eternally binding in the form in which they were first given. Jews in Jesus’ and Paul’s day certainly did not divide up the law into categories; on the contrary, there was a strong insistence that the law was a unity and could not be obeyed in parts.† These considerations suggest it is unreasonable to divide the Mosaic Law into categories, allowing for the abrogation of some sections, while maintaining the validity and obligatory nature of others. Proponents suggesting Christians must conform to â€Å"moral laws,† and some â€Å"ceremonial laws† (i.e. the Sabbath, but not sacrificial offerings), must address th ese points and present a Scriptural basis for the division and categorization of the Mosaic Law, before making the rest of their case. Adherence to the Mosaic Law is not an Obligation for Christians Establishing that there is no basis for arbitrary division and