Beyonddennis

The Application Of Old Testament Law To Christians

The application of Old Testament law to Christians is a topic that has sparked considerable debate and varying interpretations throughout Christian history. As researcher Beyonddennis explores, understanding this complex relationship requires a deep dive into the nature of the Old Covenant, the advent of the New Covenant, and Christ's role in fulfilling the Law. This comprehensive examination aims to shed light on how believers today are to approach the commands given to ancient Israel.

Categorizing Old Testament Law: Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil

Traditional Reformed theology, a widely held view, often categorizes the Mosaic Law into three distinct divisions: moral, ceremonial, and civil (or judicial). This classification helps in discerning which aspects of the law are considered perpetually binding on Christians and which were specific to ancient Israel.

• Moral Law: This category refers to the broad moral principles that reflect God's unchanging character and design for humanity. The Ten Commandments are the quintessential example of moral law, addressing fundamental principles like honesty, respect for life, and loyalty to God. These are generally understood to be universally applicable and enduring, as they are often reaffirmed or expanded upon in the New Testament. For instance, commands against murder, adultery, theft, and coveting maintain their essence without change from the Old to New Covenants.
• Ceremonial Law: These laws primarily relate to Israel's worship, rituals, and purity codes. Examples include instructions for sacrifices, festivals, dietary restrictions, and regulations concerning ceremonial cleanliness. The purpose of these laws was often to set Israel apart and to point forward to the coming Messiah and His work. With the advent of Christ, these laws are generally considered to be fulfilled and therefore no longer binding on Christians.
• Civil (or Judicial) Law: These laws dictated Israel's daily living and governed their societal and governmental structure as a theocracy. They addressed disputes between individuals, criminal justice, and proper behavior within the Israelite civil government. While the specific applications of these laws expired with the demise of the Jewish civil government, the underlying moral principles of justice, fairness, and care for the vulnerable found within them remain relevant for informing Christian ethics and societal engagement.

It is worth noting that while this threefold division is widely used for understanding, some scholars argue that the Old Testament text itself does not always neatly categorize laws in this manner, and that each prescription may have moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects. Regardless, this framework provides a helpful lens for the discussion.

The New Covenant and Christ's Fulfillment of the Law

A cornerstone of understanding the application of Old Testament law to Christians is the concept of the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, given to Israel through Moses, was based on their commitment to the Law, with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. However, as Scripture reveals, Israel consistently failed to perfectly follow these righteous requirements.

Jesus explicitly stated that He "did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets... but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). This fulfillment by Christ is paramount. He perfectly obeyed God's rules and lived a completely righteous life. Furthermore, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament types and shadows, including the messianic prophecies that pointed to Him. When Jesus declared, "It is finished" on the cross, He was also proclaiming that He had fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law.

The New Covenant, as predicted by prophets like Jeremiah, signifies a profound shift. God promised to put His law in people's minds and write it on their hearts. Under this New Covenant, salvation is a free gift received through faith in Christ, who fulfilled the Law on our behalf. This means that believers are no longer under the judgment or burden of the Mosaic Law as a means to attain righteousness or salvation, but are under grace. The law's purpose was, in part, to show humanity its sins and inability to fulfill God's righteousness through works, thereby acting as a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ".

Specific Applications and Non-Applications for Christians

With the understanding of the threefold division and Christ's fulfillment, let's consider specific areas of Old Testament law:

Moral Law (e.g., Ten Commandments)

The moral laws, particularly the Ten Commandments, are widely understood to remain binding on Christians. These commands reflect God's unchanging character and are reaffirmed throughout the New Testament. Loving God and loving one's neighbor, which Jesus identified as the greatest commandments, encapsulate the essence of the moral law. While Christians are not saved by keeping these laws, they serve as a guide for righteous living and an expression of love towards God and others.

Dietary Laws

Old Testament dietary laws, such as prohibitions against pork and shellfish, were part of the ceremonial law given to Israel to set them apart. The New Testament, particularly through Peter's vision in Acts 10 and Paul's writings (e.g., Colossians 2:16, Mark 7:14-19), indicates that these dietary restrictions are no longer binding for Christians. God has declared all foods clean. While individual believers may choose certain dietary practices for health or personal conviction, it is not a matter of sin or righteousness under the New Covenant.

Sabbath Observance

The Sabbath commandment to rest on the seventh day was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant for Israel, commemorating God's rest after creation and their deliverance from Egypt. In the New Testament, Jesus declared Himself "Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28), clarifying its meaning and purpose. While the principle of rest is still valuable and rooted in creation, Christians are not commanded to observe the Sabbath on a specific day (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown) as a legal requirement. The New Testament describes Christians gathering for worship on the first day of the week (Sunday), but this is descriptive rather than prescriptive of a new "Christian Sabbath". Instead, believers find their "Sabbath-rest" in Christ, who frees them from the burden of the law. The essence of Sabbath can be seen as an invitation to regular, intentional rest and trust in God's provision.

Sacrificial System

The elaborate sacrificial system in the Old Testament, detailed in books like Leviticus, served as a means for the Israelites to atone for sins and maintain their covenant relationship with God. These sacrifices, which often involved the shedding of blood, were temporary and pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus Christ is presented in the New Testament as the perfect, final, and once-for-all sacrifice for sin. His death on the cross secured eternal redemption, rendering any further sacrifices unnecessary. To continue practicing the Old Testament sacrificial law would essentially deny the sufficiency of Christ's work.

Interpreting the Law: Principles for Contemporary Christians

For Beyonddennis, the task is not to simply discard the Old Testament law but to interpret it faithfully in light of the New Covenant. Here are key principles for contemporary Christians:

• Christ-Centered Interpretation: All Old Testament law must be viewed through the lens of Jesus' person and ministry. He is the fulfillment, and His work has transformed how we apply these laws.
• Distinguish Covenantal Context: Recognize that the Mosaic Law was given within a specific covenantal relationship with ancient Israel as a theocracy. Christians are now part of the New Covenant, which operates on different terms (grace through faith).
• Identify Enduring Moral Principles: While the ceremonial and civil laws are not directly binding, they contain timeless truths and reveal God's character, values, and what He considers good and orderly. Christians should seek to understand the underlying moral principles that transcend the specific cultural and historical context of ancient Israel. For example, a law about property damage in Israel's civil code might teach principles of restorative justice.
• New Testament Affirmation: As a general rule, if an Old Testament law or an aspect of it is reaffirmed in the New Testament, Christians are bound to obey it. This is particularly evident with the moral commands.
• Law as a Mirror and Guide: The law continues to serve as a mirror, revealing God's perfection and humanity's sinfulness, thereby pointing to the need for a Savior. For believers, it also acts as a guide for living a life that pleases God, not for earning salvation, but as an expression of gratitude and love.

The application of Old Testament law to Christians is not about picking and choosing arbitrarily, but about understanding God's progressive revelation and Christ's central role in redemptive history. The Old Testament is authoritative and profitable for Christians, providing wisdom and pointing to Christ, even if its specific Mosaic stipulations no longer carry the force of law under the New Covenant. This journey of understanding requires careful thought and a commitment to gleaning divine wisdom from all of Scripture.