Many Christians have no problem discarding the Old Testament
Bible if it conflicts with their idea of what God wants his
people to do.
In the Old Testament, God(or Jehovah) laid down a complicated
moral code to his people which contains over 600 various
statutes, judgments, precepts, testimonies, and commandments
which are known as God's Holy Law.
These laws are often trumpeted by Christians as being God's moral
absolutes, his handbook of proper moral behavior which set the
standard for all humanity.
At the same time, many Christians will also say that God doesn't
require obedience to all these complicated laws anymore because
he sent his son "Jesus" to pay for all the sins of
humanity.
In making this claim that faith in Jesus bypasses the Law of God,
Christians have rendered the moral "absolutes" as not
really being absolute at all.
Instead of being a truly absolute moral code of conduct that is
valid for God's people at all times, morality changes and evolves
according to the situation and time frame.
In other words, a believer living under God's Law(before Jesus
came along) was subject to God's Law, while a believer under the
new system isn't.
Often, Christians will declare that only the Ten Commandments
need to be obeyed today, which is ironic because the fourth
commandment to observe the Sabbath is regularly ignored by
Christians.
In other words, if they like the sound of a particular law,
they'll say it should be kept.
If they don't care to follow it, it doesn't have to be followed
because Jesus exempted them from it.
In performing this cafeteria style religion, Christians will
often quote St. Paul, who attempted to deconstruct the Old
Testament requirements and replace them with something far easier
to do.
The apologetics used by some Christians to reconcile this glaring
doctrinal inconsistency are illustrated in the following
explanation of the actual status of God's Law and why it is no
longer in effect.
The following Christian excerpts about the status of the Law were
posted on a internet forum which discusses Bible problems.
Christian states:
JEHOVAH gave the nation of Israel the Law, with its many
features.
Regarding them, the apostle Paul wrote: "They were legal
requirements pertaining to the flesh and were imposed until the
appointed time to set things straight." (Hebrews 9:10)
When the Law led a remnant of Israelites to accept Jesus as the
Messiah, or Christ, it had fulfilled its purpose.
Thus, Paul declared: "Christ is the end of the
Law."-Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:19-25; 4:4, 5.
Commentary:
This rationalization doesn't really address the problem as it
relies on the New Testament to validate itself.
This is like using quotes from the book of Mormon to establish
that the book of Mormon must be the word of God.
The Old Testament Bible doesn't confirm that the law was only
imposed until an "appointed" time.
The Old Testament states that the laws of God are binding
throughout time.
Psa 119:152,160
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast
founded them for ever.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of
thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Furthermore, the expected Christ(Messiah) would not be the
end of the law but would usher in an era of great compliance
to the law of God.
Ezek 37:24
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall
have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe
my statutes, and do them.
Ezek 36:27
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Paul contradicted the Old Testament by claiming that a Messiah
would be the end of the law.
Why should the following declaration from God's word be dismissed
in favor of Paul's musings?
Psa 111:7-8
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his
commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are
done in truth and uprightness.
Why are God's moral absolutes discarded in favor of a new moral
code which revolves around faith in a human sacrifice instead of
obedience to God's Law?
Why should a person follow Paul instead of God?
Christian:
Does this mean that the Law is not binding upon us today?
Actually, the vast majority of humankind never were under the
Law, as the psalmist explained: "[Jehovah] is telling his
word to Jacob, his regulations and his judicial decisions to
Israel.
He has not done that way to any other nation; and as for his
judicial decisions, they have not known them." (Psalm
147:19, 20)
Commentary:
Any person wanting to join God's fold is to accept his law as
binding on them.
Isa 56:1-7
Thus saith Jehovah: Keep ye judgment and do righteousness; for my
salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that
holdeth fast to it; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it,
and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
And let not the son of the alien(or non-Jews), that hath joined
himself to Jehovah, speak saying, Jehovah hath entirely separated
me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a
dry tree;
for thus saith Jehovah: Unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths,
and choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my
covenant,
even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a
place and a name better than of sons and daughters; I will give
them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the alien, that join themselves to
Jehovah, to minister unto him and to love the name of Jehovah, to
be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from
profaning it, and holdeth fast to my covenant;
even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful
in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices
shall be accepted upon mine altar: for my house shall
be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.
As the scripture clearly shows, if you want to serve and follow
God, and be accepted by him, you are to keep his laws and not
ignore them.
Christian:
When God established the new covenant on the basis of Jesus'
sacrifice, even the nation of Israel was no longer under
obligation to obey the Law. (Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 2:15;
Colossians 2:13, 14, 16)
Commentary:
Once again, this Christian quotes Paul to prove that Paul was
right.
That's a masterpiece of circular logic and also contradicts the
Old Testament word of God.
Where in the Old Testament does God declare that the new covenant
was to be based on a human sacrifice and that under it people
were no longer obligated to obey the law?
The new covenant is defined in Jer 31 and it says nothing
about a human sacrifice being instituted to replace the law.
In fact, it stipulates that under the new covenant, God would
write his law on their hearts.
Jer 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my
law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The Christian claim that people are no longer obligated to do the
law under the new covenant contradicts the word of God.
Christian:
If, then, the Law is no longer binding, what does Jehovah ask of
those who desire to serve him today?
Commentary:
As shown from the Old Testament(Isa 56:1-7), the Law is binding
on anyone who wants to join God's fold.
The assumption that it isn't is based on Paul's theological
preferences.
In essence, this attempts to claim the God's Law is no longer
binding because Paul said it wasn't.
Christian:
What is involved in listening to Jesus and imitating him? Does it
mean being under a law?
Commentary:
Yes it does.
Jesus proclaimed that the law was to be followed in detail until
heaven and earth passed away.
Matt 5:18-20
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,
till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments,
and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the
kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the
same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Christian:
Paul wrote: "I myself am not under law." He was here
referring to "the old covenant," the Law covenant made
with Israel.
Paul did acknowledge that he was "under law toward
Christ." (1 Corinthians 9:20, 21; 2 Corinthians 3:14)
Commentary:
Once again, this Christian is using quotes from Paul to establish
that Paul's teachings are valid.
This is pure circular logic at work.
Paul didn't read Matt 5:18-20 very carefully.
While Paul can claim he isn't under the law until he's blue in
the face, it means next to nothing and contradicts both God and
Jesus.
In the process of attempting to teach others that the law was
canceled, Paul was directly in violation of the teaching of Jesus
regarding the status of the Law.
Christian:
With the end of the old Law covenant, a "new covenant"
came into force with its "law of the Christ" that all
servants of Jehovah today are obligated to obey.-Luke 22:20;
Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 8:7-13.
Commentary:
Where does the Old Testament confirm that the new covenant would
replace God's existing Law with a new "law of the
Christ"?
The "new covenant" as defined by God in Jer 31
says absolutely nothing about his existing law being
ended.
Jesus already stated in Matt 5:18-20 that every jot and
tittle of God's existing law was to be followed.
Christian:
Jehovah did not have "the law of the Christ" put down
in the form of a code, organizing it into various categories, as
was done with the old Law covenant.
Commentary:
Where does the Old Testament confirm that the new covenant would
replace God's existing Law with a new "law of the
Christ"?
This apologetic ploy that a "new law of the Christ"
replaced God's existing moral code is hogwash if the Old
Testament word of God is to be taken at all seriously.
Christian:
This new law for Christ's followers does not include an extensive
list of do's and don'ts.
Commentary:
Jesus already stated in Matt 5:18-20 that every jot and
tittle of the existing law was to be followed.
The above assertion contradicts him.
These common Christian assertions about the status of God's law
are not confirmed from God's word in the Old Testament.
In fact they contradict God and rest on a circular logic format
that relies on Paul's theological whims.
God(or Jehovah) was quite clear about how he regarded people who
attempted to dismiss the Law.
Psa 50:16-17
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast
thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my
covenant in thy mouth?
Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee.
The Psalmist was also quite clear regarding people(like Paul) who
attempt to steer the faithful away from the Law.
Such people are called "wicked" and
"evildoers".
Psa 119:110-115
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I
erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they
are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even
unto the end.
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will
keep the commandments of my God.
Many Christians have replaced God's Law with the theological
concoctions of Paul and have adopted his new religion which is
based on faith in a pagan like human sacrifice instead of obedience to
God's instructions.
Far from being the "new" light to the world, this human
sacrifice to appease God more closely represents the type of
religion that a "heathen" based volcano God would
inspire.
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