I'm not convinced that the law of Moses can be easily broken into moral, ceremonial and civil components. But what I am ever more convinced of is that none of the OT law is the reality. It is a shadow. The reality is found in Jesus Christ.
The laws relating to temple, sacrifice and worship that Moses gave the people are a shadow. That is without dispute. What I am also becoming convinced of is that the laws that we sometimes call moral - do not lie, do not murder, do not steal - are also a shadow. Christ casts an even brighter light on God's expectation and calling of his people. We are under Christ and not under Moses. We obey Christ's commandments for Christ's sake. Christ shows us what God wants - not what the OT law always meant - but what it was pointing towards - the reality only ever found in Christ.
"You have heard it said, but I say to you .... "
(see the post below)
4 comments:
I have never been convinced of that break up of the OT law.
BUT - it is in the 39 articles, you know! And we both signed for it!
Article VII. Of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man.
Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.
I put up the article to give me and anyone else (including you Michael) some time to reflect on it.
I don't want to be bush lawyer and look for loop holes. ;)
I agree with what the article is saying and yet in honesty, I'm not sure that the categories it uses - can be inferred from the OT itself.
I think there is no a priori division of the law, but perhaps we can see a post priori division of the law. Those things which are transferable through Christ, albeit intensified, we could call the 'moral law' if we wanted.
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