Old Testament Laws and Their Modern Application (Craig Keener)

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How should Christians in the 21st century relate to Old Testament laws and moral examples? In this Seven Minute Seminary, Dr. Craig Keener helps explain the context of Israel's laws by pointing out that many of the laws were admittedly meant to limit sin, not abolish it altogether. This means that in some sense, there were laws that were less than the ethical ideal and served as concessions for the ancient culture (see instrucitons regarding polygamy, divorce, sexual abuse, holy war, etc.) But Jesus came to reveal a higher standard of moral law that truly and fully represented the holy character of our loving God.

[@donj2222]

On terms, I prefer to use the term Tanakh for what is called the OT, as I also prefer that ordering of books. For the NT, I prefer the term Apostolic Scriptures, so there is no prejudgment of its contents.

[@youngknowledgeseeker]

If i'm not mistaken, and not to split hairs, but Luke does refer to Jesus words as the "New Covenant" (Luke 22:20). And Hebrews does refer to the old law and new as old vs new (Hebrews 8:13). Paul as well refers to himself and his fellow apostles as "ministers of a new covenant" in 2nd Corinthians.

[@fzwpiay]

Craig, This is so helpful for us especially serving here in the Balkans among the large minority that are non trinitarian. John

[@brotherjim5904]

Indeed, someone could intellectually argue that the OT Ten Commandments were given by God to and for Hebraic Jews, not mankind. First, we must realize that the land of what's now Israel had to be preserved until the time of Christ and his fulfilling of prophecies concerning Him and it. So "neighbors" had to be narrowly defined, confined to those countries having a symbiotic relationship and not those who might be able to destroy God's plan. A more contemporary example might be the Anabaptist who is a turn-the-cheek pacifist but NOT a conscientious objector, believing God's NT Law of pacifism is to be confined to personal enemies, not enemies of the state (rare; I for one). Which brings us to one of the half dozen or so NT Laws, the Law of the Conscience. The NT tells us that the things of the OT are for one thing given to us under the NT "as examples." So for example, the two NT Laws of Love will, if implemented--hopefully by Grace--lead a committed disciple of Jesus to finding themselves in obedience to the Ten Commandments because those Ten are practical applications of so doing--and post-litmus tests. The S(s)pirit will guide them into compliance. Even obeying the Sabbath, apart from its practical health aspect, is one of many ways we not offend the conscience of others, a NT Commandment--not mere suggestion. Walking in love, among other aspects, includes laying aside what we believe are our personal liberties when of benefit to others--especially brethren. Then, too, we under the NT are "grafted in." It's not coincidence or merely the result of intellectualism that our Bible is JUDEO-Christian one. Lastly here, the NEW Commandment of loving others given by Jesus was intensified by its requirement we love others--as the Spirit leads--MORE than we love our own selves, not just equal to. Hence we may need to lay down our lives in favor of another's. However, while generally this is thought of as meaning our physical body; PaRDeS, for example, would suggest another layer of meaning: us laying aside the elements of our non-bodily existential life, e.g. where we live, hopes and dreams and ambitions, relationships, etc., etc., for the Kingdom. "I must decrease...." [out of contexts; used by permission - ed.]. "Whosoever leaves houses or brothers...."

[@bellie888]

Hebrews 8:13 NKJV In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

[@brotherjim5904]

"Obsolete" was a poor choice of words, the KJV rendering it instead as "old." The latter intensified as to meaning by the sentance following, it using "becoming...growing...ready," or again in the KJV, "waxing," i.e., we're still in its process. (Though i haven't checked the Greek tenses.)

[@bellie888]

@@brotherjim5904 yes it finally vanished away in AD70. No one has been able to keep the Old Testament worship since then. There is a new Temple not made with hands.

[@brotherjim5904]

So, during those B.C. times when there was no temple, there was no covenant??