A question that I am often asked by non-believers is "How can you call yourself a Christian? You don't follow many of the old rules in the Old Testament - rules such as "do not shave" and "do not eat shellfish". Why not?" Questions like that frustrate me, because the person has obviously not taken the time to research Christianity.
There are two main sections found in the Bible. There is an Old Testament and there is a New Testament. Both are very important and both play a large part in the role of teaching us, as budding Christians. I personally draw much more out of the New Testament, and my church (which is Evangelical) focuses on the New Testament more.
The Old Testament teaches us of the ancient power and might of God. God is an all-powerful being, and the stories in the Old Testament affirm that. He demands the respect and love that He deserves. The New Testament teaches us of the other side of God - a loving and forgiving creator.
The Old Testament was written and created mainly for, in that time period, the Jewish people. It taught the Jewish people proper ways to show respect for God. In time, like all human social institutions, there developed elite factions in the Jewish community. These were the Pharisees. Like many elite groups, the Pharisees had fallen into corruption and decay. They are described as hypocritical and working for profit. They cared more about the appearance of being pious than following the spirit of the rules that were created for other reasons. (For more about Pharisees, see: Matthew 12:14, 21:23-27, 22:15-17, 23:5-7).
God's laws were given to help people love God with their lifestyle. But over time, these rules were misquoted and misapplied. Religious leaders made them confusing. Jesus came and said, "Those old rules don't matter anymore. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Accept me, and live virtuously." It doesn't matter if you shave or if you eat shellfish. These ceremonial laws were no longer needed after Jesus's death and resurrection. However, the purpose behind them is still very real - to love and worship our Lord.
The Pharisees were very concerned with appearing righteous. Jesus said that his followers needed a very different kind of righteousness - love and obedience - not just a more intense version of the Pharisees (legal compliance).
Don't confuse the old-time ceremonial laws with the moral law. Basic pillars of Christianity are just as applicable as always. The same sins are still forbidden - murder, sexual immorality, stealing, and others. (The ceremonial laws are primarily found only in Leviticus).
Praise the Lord, for he is mighty indeed
How do you explain this then? “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." ~Matthew 5:17-18. Sorry, I've just always been confused with this verse myself because it clearly says that ALL the laws, even the little ones, should still be followed...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought this up. I actually referred to this passage and notes on it in the original post. I can understand why it's easily confusing. However, as I said before, you have to be clear to distinguish the ceremonial laws from the moral laws. Jesus did not come to abolish principles that were fundamental to society. I guess you could say that he preached to return to their original function. I will use shaving for an example. Originally, you were not supposed to shave to show your love for God. The Pharisees used this to put on an appearance of piouty and by lambasting those who shaved. (See John 1:17). But you still had to abide by the fundamental purpose: to love God. So, instead of abolishing the Law itself, He just changed the way that you show your obedience fo the Law. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI think that Galatians 3 is very essential for understanding this topic, check it out
ReplyDeleteWho distinguishes, and how do you/they distinguish between 'moral' and 'ceremonial' law?
ReplyDeleteThe Bible distinguishes. I think that to most people it should be pretty easy to tell the difference. However, to those that struggle, here's some help. There were three main types of law - ceremonial law (example: Leviticus 1:1-13), civil law (ex: Deuteronomy 24:10,11) and moral law (ex: Exodus 20:1-17). Ceremonial law relates specifically to old Israel's worship, and it's purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ. Civil law dictated Israel's daily living, in a culture very different from ours today. Moral law requires strict obedience.
ReplyDeleteFor those who are confused or a new Christian, until I can explain it better, my opinion is this: Moral laws include the Ten Commandments and all the teachings of Jesus Christ.
It's a good thing that Jesus said absolutely nothing about homosexuality then, right?
ReplyDeleteEspecially since Leviticus is a civil law that only applied to priests (Holiness Code).
I still don't see how this isn't picking and choosing, to be honest.
Tim... We've been over this...
ReplyDeleteThe Bible is very specific about homosexuality, not even including Leviticus. Matthew 19:4-6 - "Haven't you read", Jesus replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become flesh'?" There are plenty of other verses. Romans 1:26-27. 1 Corinthians 6:9. 1 Timothy 1:10.
It's picking and choosing because the forbidding of homosexuality in scripture is a moral law. The disobedience of any moral law is a sin.