A Practical Guide to the Logic, Philosophy and Thoughts of Christianity

Section 2 - Article 11

Article 11 - The Bible canon

When I first took history of the Bible class for the AKC, I was most impressed with how the whole Bible came together. However, in my personal observation, I met many Christians who seem to place a heavier emphasis on the New Testament, and many did not even read the Old Testament once. Sadly, there was a general disregard of the Law or poor understanding of the it. This article here reflects my thoughts on the importance of the Law, and how it plays a role even in the revelation of the New Testament.

A wise saying "the new is in the old concealed, and the old is in the new revealed."

The New Testament sheds light and is the manifestation of the Old Testament. Without the Old Testament, the New Testament is pointless and meaningless. There are very little new things in the New Testament, but rather the things taught and enlightened upon were already in, or prophesized in the Old Testament. The New Testament is a revelation of the Old Testament; it is a fulfillment of the Old Testament. Without knowledge of the original sin and the Fall, there is no basis for salvation; without knowing the 'Law of Moses', there is no special understanding of Christ fulfilling the law. Without understanding the anointed one, there is no understanding of Christ/Messiah. Without understanding the Passover, there is no understanding of the need for Jesus to die, or Him being referred as the lamb. Everyone will simply claim to be a good person.

The Old Testament is not to be ignored.

There are those that claim that the law is outdated, pointless, old, and I could not disagree more. It is not old, it is not outdated, but it is forever. What has changed since the sacrifice of Jesus, is that the law is no longer a means for salvation or damnation. In actual fact, it never led to salvation as it was too difficult if not impossible to follow strictly. The old kings of Israel had short periods of time (which were made up with prophets) when the law was lost, and yet they were blessed because they followed the main statutes of God. Many Christians claim that Judaism missed the point of Jesus as the Messiah; I say that Christians missed the point of the Law!

The Law was God telling His people the way to lead holy lives, so that they may live healthily long (thus the food laws and the linen laws) and happily (thus the social and moral laws). Yet what Jesus was displeased, was that the Pharisees used the law to oppress, and demanded the living of the law without thought of what God intended i.e. brain dead application. To which, Jesus said "The law was made for Man, not Man for the Law".

The point of the Sabbath day is for man to rest. It does not mean to do absolutely nothing. When there comes a time that you need to save someone on the Sabbath, you do it. Or if you are hungry and need to gather food on the Sabbath, you do it. Man would abandon his purpose if he starved to death for observing 'not gathering food on Sabbath' law, when he could have done so to live another day. It is more displeasing to God if you let someone suffer or die when you could have done something on the Sabbath.

In the food laws, the unclean foods are interestingly well-known allergens (prawns, crabs and other shellfish) or pathogen nests (filter feeders such as mussels). To date these food continue to be a problem to many people worldwide. Interestingly, the food laws were never outdated as is the law to wear the 'linen made of one thread'. Mixed thread clothing have been known to irritate skin. In addition, cleanliness laws of that time have been adapted and continue to help people in hospitals and in quarantine measures. If these laws were observed all the time, we would be in a much healthier world with less disease, less colds, less flu and fewer epidemics. Yet, what is the point? The point of the law is that this is the way to live a healthy long happy life. It should not be stuck so strictly to the extent that will offend your brother who has offered you idol food or to the point of rejecting others based on it. The point of the law is to be healthy and live a long happy life by watching our diet, hygiene and way of living in accordance to His ways. However, if it causes social discomfort (e.g. you are a missionary to some rural parts of India where they give idol food and it is very rude to reject it), then it is necessary to act with wisdom. It is more displeasing to God if you have caused social disturbances and losing a chance to be a good example compared to eating a piece of pork or prawn.

If one follows the law e.g. food laws strictly disregarding offense caused to others and cause disunity, it is a bigger offense or a sin despite not being "made unclean due to eating unclean meat". In some situations, the social aspect is more important. It would not be pleasing to God to watch someone die on the Sabbath when you could have done something. This is what it means when it says "what cometh out of a man, this defileth a man " (Matt 15:11). If you reject what God tells you to do, it makes you unclean in comparison to giving a hug to a homeless person to give him comfort; this is where the laws of cleanliness may be compromised over the greater good, and where the social laws override the cleanliness laws.

The Law of Moses did not save anyone. There is no doubt from the Old Testament that the Jews were God's chosen people. The evidence that the law did not save anyone was first seen that no prophet or patriarch managed to follow the laws without ever breaking a single one. From the books of Kings and Chronicles, there were periods of the succession of kings when the laws of Moses were lost. Yet, the kings that kept the statutes of God were blessed. What saved anyone during those days was always the grace of God. That is why in the New (Covenant) Testament (prophesized by prophet Jeremiah), it was said that the laws will be written in the hearts of those that belonged to Him (rather than being followed from a list). This is also why the New Testament itself mentioned that the law was not an effective way to bring salvation, thus requiring the once and for all perfect sacrifice (book of Hebrews).

The law must not be disregarded whether Jew or gentile. It is God's perfect plan for his people both Gentiles and Jews alike in order for them to lead holy lives. To disregard and say they are outdated is also contradicting the unchanging nature of God. God is the same in the past, in the present and forever. The law was not abolished, it was fulfilled. It was completed. The main message of the Law still exists, it is our guide to live as perfect a life as close to that God desired for us. Although, we find it difficult to live it perfectly, we can do what the puritans did; and that is to try to live it as much as possible.

The law is for Man, but needs wisdom. This wisdom comes from God's guidance. Many may have missed Jesus being Messiah, but Christians themselves have also missed the "Law". For if you want to disregard parts of the law, where do you stop? Disregard the food laws, circumcision (which has scientifically been proven to be hygienic against cancers, and diseases. The early Gentile Christians were exempted not because the law was invalid, but because the Law should not be a stumbling block to knowing Jesus), linen, social. Where do you stop disregarding the Law? Why not throw away the moral ones as well? Even the New Testament reinforced the Old Testament law. Paul wrote that adulterers, idolaters, thieves, and liars (All part of the 10 commandments) will not have a part in the Kingdom of God.

It is important to know the Law and apply it with wisdom and in the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is so that His people can live long holy happy lives as God intended. Similarly, we need to know that the law is not for salvation to heaven, and it should not be a stumbling block to Christ. If one cannot be a ceremonially clean Christian, then be a dirty one. It is better to be dirty Christian than not a Christian at all. But if one can be a clean Christian, it is better to be a clean Christian than an unclean Christian.