The Law, God, And The Question Of Legality

The concept of God breaking the law has been a topic of debate among theologians and religious scholars. Some argue that God, in the form of Jesus, broke religious laws, specifically those related to the Sabbath, by prioritising care for people over strict observance of the law. However, others claim that Jesus only broke traditions of men added on top of the Torah and that his actions fulfilled the true purpose of the law, which was to lead people to love. This interpretation highlights Jesus' focus on faithfulness and acts of love rather than outward signs of piety. The debate extends to the nature of God and the law, questioning whether God can break the law without contradicting his own character and whether breaking the law is inherently sinful.

Did Jesus break Old Testament law?

The question of whether Jesus broke Old Testament law is a complex one, and the answer depends on the interpretation of "law".

Jesus was accused by the Jewish religious leaders and biblical scholars of his day of being a lawbreaker and sinner. A common conservative response is to claim that Jesus did not break any actual biblical laws but instead broke "traditions of men" that had been added on top of the Torah. For example, in Mark's Gospel, Jesus is seen to reject the biblical teaching of uncleanliness by declaring all foods clean. However, Jesus would not have seen this as making him a lawbreaker.

Jesus also broke the Sabbath law by healing people on this day. While some commentators claim that Jesus was not breaking the Sabbath but merely breaking "traditions of men", Jesus himself does not make this argument. Instead, he argues that God is always working, and that he too is working. This defence further enraged the Jewish leaders, who tried all the more to kill him.

Jesus was also brought before Pilate and accused of three crimes: misleading the nation, opposing paying taxes to Caesar, and saying he is the Messiah, a king. Pilate, however, found no grounds for these charges and declared Jesus innocent.

So, while Jesus did break Old Testament laws, this did not make him a sinner or a criminal in the eyes of Pilate.

Did Jesus break Roman law?

The question of whether Jesus broke Roman law is a complex one, and the answer depends on how one interprets the law and the actions of Jesus.

Jesus was accused of breaking Jewish law on multiple occasions, particularly regarding the Sabbath. However, he did not break any Old Testament commands but rather violated the interpretations that religious leaders had developed around the biblical commands. Breaking Jewish law would have been considered a sin, and Jesus was repeatedly affirmed to be sinless in Scripture.

When it came to Roman law, the situation was more nuanced. Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor, Pilate, and accused of three crimes: misleading the nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be the Messiah, a king. Pilate, however, declared Jesus innocent of these charges and told the Jewish leaders that he found no grounds for their accusations.

The Romans allowed the Jews to worship as they pleased, and Jesus, as the fulfilment of the Jewish religion, would not have violated Roman law as it granted permission to worship God.

However, it is important to note that Jesus was ultimately sentenced to death under Roman law, specifically for treason, even though Pilate found no fault in him. This was likely due to political pressures and the volatile situation in Jerusalem at the time, as the Romans wanted to maintain order and prevent riots.

In conclusion, while Jesus did not break any specific Roman laws, he was still sentenced to death by the Roman authorities, which raises complex legal and ethical questions.

Did God break the law for love?

The concept of God breaking the law for love stems from a sermon by Steven Furtick, who used the example of a parent rushing their injured child to the hospital, breaking the speed limit along the way. In this analogy, God is the parent, and humanity is the injured child.

However, this analogy has been criticised for being disingenuous to what took place in God's redemptive plan. Critics argue that God did not break the law for love, but instead demonstrated His love by fulfilling the law in Christ. Christ's sacrifice on the cross satisfied the demands of the law, providing a way for sinners to be justified before a holy God.

The idea that God broke the law also raises theological and philosophical questions about the nature of God and the law itself. If God arbitrarily declared certain things to be good or evil, then the law could be seen as arbitrary and subject to change. On the other hand, if God recognised the law as inherently good and binding upon Himself, then it could be argued that God is constrained by a higher moral order, which may contradict traditional understandings of God's nature.

Ultimately, the question of whether God broke the law for love is a complex one, involving interpretations of theology, philosophy, and the nature of love and law.

Can God break the law?

The concept of God breaking the law is a highly debated topic, with some preachers claiming that "God broke the law for love". This statement is often taken out of context and can be misleading. While God's actions might seem like He broke the law, it is important to understand that God did not break the law but rather fulfilled it.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to fulfil the law, not to abolish it. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus himself says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them." This indicates that Jesus did not come to break the law but to uphold it and fulfil its purpose.

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, fulfilling the law's demand for justice. By doing so, He did not break the law but satisfied its requirements. Romans 5:8 states, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This act of sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God's love and fulfilment of the law, not a breaking of it.

Furthermore, the law reflects God's character, and for God to break the law would be to deny His own nature. God, being the ultimate good, cannot act contrary to His character, which is holy and righteous. To break the law would mean to act in a way that contradicts His own nature, which is an impossible and absurd self-contradiction.

While Jesus did break traditional Jewish interpretations of religious laws, He did not violate any Old Testament commands. For example, He was accused of breaking the Sabbath, but He was fulfilling the principle behind the law, which was to offer rest and remind the Jews of their dependence on God.

Additionally, the case can be made that Jesus did not break any civil laws during His life, despite being sentenced to death by the Roman government. Pilate, the Roman governor, found no grounds to charge Jesus with the crimes brought against Him.

In conclusion, God cannot break the law. To suggest otherwise would contradict the very nature and character of God as presented in Scripture. God's law is essential to understanding sin and God's standard for righteousness. While God has the power to change laws for mankind, as seen in the case of dietary laws, He does not break them Himself.

Is breaking the law always a sin?

Whether or not an action is sinful is not always clearly defined in religious texts, and different people interpret these texts in different ways. However, there are some clear examples of when breaking the law is considered a sin, and other examples of when breaking the law is not considered a sin.

When breaking the law is a sin

According to the Bible, God's laws are not arbitrary rules, but a reflection of his character. Therefore, breaking God's laws is considered a sin. For example, in John 5, Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath by healing a paralysed man. The Jewish leaders tell the man, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." Jesus does not deny breaking the Sabbath but instead says, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

In another example, the apostle Paul writes that "sin is lawlessness. It is a violation of God’s standard." He also writes that God wants humans to "obey the laws [their] government imposes." Therefore, breaking the law of the land is also considered a sin.

When breaking the law is not a sin

However, there are also examples in the Bible where breaking the law is not considered a sin. For instance, in Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Here, Jesus is saying that he has not come to break God's laws but to fulfil them. This suggests that following the law is not enough, and that true worshippers of God must also act in accordance with the spirit of the law.

This interpretation is supported by Jesus's actions. For example, he often broke the Pharisees' interpretation of the law, such as when he healed people on the Sabbath or had contact with taboo people. In these cases, Jesus points to the principle behind the law and explains how he is fulfilling it. For instance, when his disciples are accused of breaking the law by plucking and eating grain on the Sabbath, Jesus explains that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." In other words, the purpose of the Sabbath is to offer rest and remind people that their financial well-being depends on God, rather than to enforce inactivity.

In conclusion, whether or not breaking the law is a sin depends on the specific law being broken and the intention behind the action. While some laws are considered absolute, others are open to interpretation, and it is not always clear where the line should be drawn.

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