Legal Texts

TCM
2010
 Key principle
Mt. 5:17--Do not think that I have come to
abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come
not to abolish them but to fulfill them."
– "Fulfill" means to make complete. Used of "fulfilled"
prophesy.
Jesus "fulfilled" the law.
– Hebrews 8:7, 13
– Hebrews 10:1ff.
Jesus/Paul prescribe a "new" law
– Mt. 22:37-40
– Romans 13:8, 10
– Romans 8:1-4
 Law of Christ
"The entire Mosaic law comes to fulfillment in
Christ, and this fulfillment means that this law is
no longer a direct and immediate source of, or
judge of, the conduct of God's people. Christian
behavior, rather, is now guided directly by the
'law of Christ'. This 'law' does not consist of
legal prescriptions and ordinances, but of the
teaching and example of Jesus and the
apostles, the central demand of love, and the
guiding influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.”
Douglas Moo
 Law’s Purpose
"No ancient law code, including the Old Testament, is exhaustive;
they are incomplete and selective, focusing on exceptional
situations. This means that the laws of the Old Testament must be
understood as a reflection of the values held by the Hebrew
community." Ken Matthews, in Duduit, pg. 271.
– A. Law is "teacher“
1. Romans 7:7; Romans 3:20
2. "Torah" = teaching" or "to point the finger“
– i.e., "this is the way; walk in it.“
– Yet, clearly taught that impossible
– So, taught what sin was and bound us to it.
– Also, caused sin to increase
Rom. 5:20
5. "Pedagogue" is not teacher, but babysitter
– Galatians 3:24
– Mosaic law functioned to direct behavior until "maturity" (Christ)
 We live "under" the law
"As is true in so much of the Old Testament,
Israel is making a confession of faith about the
nature of her life. By saying that the instructions
for her life come from God alone, Israel is
confessing that her society is different from that
of other peoples. She is not a people who lives
according to the customs of human beings, or
according to natural laws, or according to the
dictates of human culture." Elizabeth
Achtemeier, Preaching from the Old Testament,
pg. 95.
– Leviticus 18:1-5; 24, 26-27, 30
 Live by the will of God
"Certainly such an understanding of the
life of the covenant people is
indispensable also for the new Israel, the
church, for Christians too are to live only
by the will of God." Achtemeier,
Preaching, pg. 96.
– Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43
 Live differently
We are to look different from our culture
– 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 6:1-6
– 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
– 1 Peter 2:11-12
"Persons of Biblical faith, according to both
Testaments, have a revealed law given to
them, a teaching from God that is different
from the teachings of human beings and
that gives God's instructions about how to
order society and how to conduct and
sustain one's life. Preaching from the law
is aimed at producing a lifestyle different
from that of the surrounding world."
Achtemeier, Preaching, pg. 96.
"The Law . . . stands as a paradigm
(model). It is hardly a complete list of all
the things one could or should do to
please God in ancient Israel. The Law
presents, rather, examples or samples of
what it means to be loyal to God."
Fee/Stuart, pg. 139.
Obedience to law is not the basis of her
relationship with her Lord, rather a
reflection of it.
"The law was never intended to create a
righteous people, but rather to identify a
holy possession belonging to God."
Matthews, Duduit, pg. 276.
 Law as a gift
Law, to know how to live in relationship
with God is a gift
– "So it is to with the church. Jesus does not
abandon us in our new life as the children of
God but also gives us instructions about how
to live and what to do and what it is that God
desires from us as his adopted covenant
people." Achtemeier, Preaching, pg. 97.
– b. In law, God walks beside his people
(1) Psa. 119; 1, 9, 17-18, 105
 Obedience follows for:
Apart from God's guidance we do not
know how to conduct ourselves
We confessed him as Lord, either he is or
he isn't
Obedience is grateful response to
redemption
– Romans 6:15-18
– 1 Peter 1:14
– 1 John 5:1-3
 Law and Ethics
Law begins the basis for all ethics
– We act toward others the way God has acted
toward us
– Eph 5:1-2; 4:32
– Col. 3:13
 Correct Uses for
preaching/teaching
Mediating position
– law does not save, but does express God's
will
Cannot preach all passages (except for
principles)
– some are context specific
Farming; sacrifices; commerce; warfare
 New Testament position
The law is fulfilled in a life lived in love
– Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 22:34-40;
Galatians 5:14; Matthew 7:12; John 13:34---1
John 2:7-11; James 2:8-13
Which is not a new position
– Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
 Intention
"Israel's laws reveal much about from what
source the new Israel in Christ is to take the
direction of it's life, much about what it means to
have a Lord, much about the manner in which
we are to respond to his prior love toward us.
Specific laws are affirmed in the NT
– Mat. 5:17-48
– Mk. 2:23-28 (corrective of Sabbath)
Some laws are continued in the NT
– Parents
Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:1-4
But not: Exodus 21:15
 Possible applications
Behavioral
– Law does not establish relationship
– Law does define relationship
provides moral values
– Respect for life
Exodus 21:12-14; Exodus 23:1-3
– Social Responsibility
Exodus 21:18-19; Exodus 21:28-29, 33-36
– Treatment of strangers/helpless
Exodus 22:21-24; Exodus 23:9
– Justice
Deuteronomy 25:13-16
– values life
 Possible applications
Analogical
– Sexual morality
– family relations
– Neighbors
See principle that applies
– Principle may not be the exact law
need to interpret
examples:
– Leviticus 5:2 "unclean“
– "stay away from sinful actions that make unclean; seek
cleansing from Jesus“
 Possible Applications
Christological
– Prepares people to see Christ
Gal. 3:24--"put in charge to lead us to Christ“
Christ is understood in light of the OT precursors
– Priesthood; sabbath; sacrifices; covenant
 Possible Applications
Background
– New Testament era based in Old Testament
Allusions to law abound
– John the Baptist; Nazarite vows; Priesthood
 Possible Applications
Illustrative
– stories which show how teachings are lived
out
– laws which clarify NT teachings
– 1 Cor. 9 // 1 Tim. 5:17
– 1 Cor 10
 Possible Applications
Spiritual Warfare
– Doing battle with the devil
Mt 4
– Understanding sin
Homosexuality
– Leviticus 20:13; 18:22
 Possible Applications
Determining God's attitude
– Prolife
– not an answer to abortion, but an attitude with
which to address the issue