The Bible And Law: What Legal Parts Apply?

The Bible's teachings on law are complex and multifaceted, with different interpretations and applications depending on the specific context. In general, the Bible's laws can be categorized into moral, ceremonial, and judicial laws, with the understanding that not all laws are equal and some take precedence over others.

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, contains hundreds of commands given to the Israelites, but the phrase the law typically refers to the compilation of decrees found in the first five books, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. These books include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah serves as a historical narrative and a divinely inspired love story between God and humanity, with a specific focus on God's interaction with Israel.

The laws within the Torah encompass a range of topics, from dietary restrictions to social norms and ethical guidelines. While some laws are purely religious, such as those regarding idol worship and Sabbath observance, others have had a significant influence on secular legal systems worldwide. For example, the Ten Commandments, which include prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, and bearing false witness, form the basis of many modern legal codes.

The Bible also provides guidance on judicial processes, emphasizing the importance of fairness, impartiality, and avoiding corruption. It highlights the role of judges and the need for multiple witnesses to establish guilt. Additionally, it addresses issues such as slavery, gender roles, and the relationship between religious and secular authority.

In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the importance of the law but also brings a new perspective. He fulfills the law, ending the separation between Jews and Gentiles, and emphasizes that the law should be understood and applied with love and grace. The apostle Paul reinforces this idea, teaching that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ rather than through works or strict adherence to the law.

In conclusion, the laws in the Bible have a multifaceted purpose, shaping social norms, ethical guidelines, and legal systems. While some laws are specific to the covenant between God and the Israelites, others have universal and enduring relevance, reflecting the character and will of God.

The Law and moral law

The Law in the Bible refers to the commandments given through Moses to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai. These commandments are also known as the Torah, which means 'teaching' or 'instruction' in Hebrew. The Torah forms the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Torah is not just a set of rules but a covenant between God and his chosen people, Israel. It is a historical narrative and a divinely inspired love story between God and humanity. The Law within the Torah is a rule of conduct for how to live as a holy people, set apart from the nations. It includes commandments on how to worship and serve God, as well as social norms and legal rules.

The Law can be divided into three types: moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral law is considered forever binding, while the ceremonial law pointed to Christ and was abrogated after his death and resurrection. The judicial law is binding on non-Israelite nations only insofar as it reflects the natural law.

The Ten Commandments are the most well-known legal rules found in the Bible. Four of these mandates became enduring features of most secular law: those prohibiting murder, adultery, theft, and false testimony. The remaining commandments are either religious mandates, such as worshipping no other gods and keeping the Sabbath holy, or social ideals, such as honouring one's parents and not coveting one's neighbour's possessions.

The Law also includes other legal principles, such as the requirement of multiple witnesses to convict a person of a crime (Deuteronomy 19:15) and the need to judge fairly and impartially, without accepting bribes (Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:18-20).

The Law is a reflection of God's character and an expression of His own immutable character. It reveals God's holiness and justice, as well as His love and compassion. It exposes humanity's sinfulness and our need for a Saviour. In this sense, the Law is a gift of grace that leads us to Christ.

Christians today are no longer under the Law but under grace through faith in Jesus Christ. However, God's commands are still in effect, written on our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, we are still obligated to obey God's commands, which are now motivated by our love for Him.

The Law and ceremonial law

The Law, also known as the Mosaic Covenant or the Law of Moses, is a comprehensive set of guidelines given to Moses by God. It encompasses moral behaviour, the position of the Israelites as a godly example to other nations, and systematic procedures for acknowledging God's holiness and mankind's sinfulness.

The Law is made up of moral law, ceremonial law, and judicial law. Ceremonial law, or hukkim/chuqqah in Hebrew, refers to the "custom of the nation". These laws focus the adherent's attention on God and include instructions on sacrifices and other ceremonies regarding "uncleanness", remembrances of God's work in Israel (feasts and festivals), specific regulations meant to distinguish Israelites from their pagan neighbours (dietary and clothing restrictions), and signs that point to the coming Messiah (the Sabbath, circumcision, Passover, and the redemption of the firstborn).

Ceremonial law is found in Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Exodus, and 1 Kings. Leviticus covers the ceremonial law for the five major offerings, how to handle offerings, the start of the priesthood, rules regarding cleanness and uncleanness, the Day of Atonement ritual, how to handle blood, and special feasts and holidays. Exodus and 1 Kings contain ceremonial law regarding the building of the tabernacle and the temple, respectively.

The ceremonial law was meant to show physical representations of God's holiness and the holiness he expected from his people. It governed how the Israelites were to approach God in worship, instituted remembrances of God's prior actions, and pointed ahead to the Messiah.

Christians are not bound by ceremonial law. Since the church is not the nation of Israel, memorial festivals, such as the Feast of Weeks and Passover, do not apply. However, there is still debate in Protestant churches over the applicability of the Sabbath.

The Law and judicial law

The Law, as mentioned in the Bible, refers to the compilation of decrees found in the first five books, known as the Torah. The Law includes the Ten Commandments, which prohibit murder, adultery, theft, and false testimony, as well as other laws and commands recorded throughout the Torah.

The Law served multiple purposes in the Bible. Firstly, it was a covenant between God and the people of Israel, outlining the terms and conditions of their relationship. It set Israel apart as a holy nation, chosen by God, and established them as a priestly nation. The Law also revealed God's nature, wisdom, and righteous standards to the people of Israel. It taught them standards of righteous living and the fear of the Lord, and it provided regular occasions for worship, celebration, and civic duty.

The Law also served as a tutor or guardian, leading people to recognize their sinfulness and need for a Saviour. By exposing humanity's inability to keep God's righteous standards, the Law pointed towards the need for redemption and the hope of the Messiah. In this sense, the Law had a prophetic function, with its ultimate fulfilment found in Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul emphasizes that believers are no longer under the Law but under grace through faith in Jesus Christ. However, this does not mean that the Law is disregarded entirely. The moral law, which includes commandments such as "love your neighbour as yourself", remains forever binding.

The judicial law, on the other hand, is binding on non-Israelite nations only insofar as its general equity reflects the natural law. This distinction between the moral and judicial law recognizes that while some laws are universal and timeless, others are specific to the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel.

In conclusion, the Law in the Bible encompasses the commandments and decrees given to the people of Israel by God. It served multiple purposes, including establishing a covenant, revealing God's character, teaching righteous living, and pointing towards the need for salvation. While believers are no longer bound by the Law in the same way, the moral law remains binding, and the judicial law can provide insights into natural law.

The Law and natural law

The Law, as mentioned in the Bible, refers specifically to the compilation of decrees found in the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Torah. These books contain hundreds of commands given to the Israelites by God, and obedience to this law was seen as an obligation of God's people, as they sought to earn His favour and blessing. Transgressing these laws meant breaking the covenant with God and damaging their relationship with Him.

Natural law, on the other hand, is a system of law based on observations of the natural order and human nature. It holds that certain values, intrinsic to human nature, can be deduced and applied independently of positive law, or the express enacted laws of a state or society. Natural law theory can encompass theories of ethics, politics, civil law, and religious morality.

In the Bible, there are references to both the Law and natural law. While the Law is specific to the Israelites and their covenant with God, natural law is presented as a universal concept, inherent in all people. For example, Paul's Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament is considered the Scriptural authority for the Christian idea of natural law. It states that even those who do not have the Law will, by nature, do what the Law requires, as it is written on their hearts.

The concept of natural law has been explored and expounded upon by many philosophers and theologians, both within and outside of the Christian tradition. Aristotle, for instance, noted that what was "just by nature" was not always the same as what was "just by law". He observed that certain natural laws, such as the subordination of women to men, slaves to citizens, and "barbarians" to Greeks, were specific to the Greek city-states. In contrast, the Stoics conceived of a more egalitarian law of nature, aligned with the logos inherent in the human mind.

Thomas Aquinas, a key figure in the development of natural law theory, synthesised and built upon the ideas of his predecessors. He argued that because human beings possess reason, and reason is a spark of the divine, all human lives are sacred and of infinite value. This led to the conclusion that everyone is fundamentally equal and endowed with an intrinsic set of basic rights that cannot be taken away.

In conclusion, while the Law in the Bible is specific to the covenant between God and the Israelites, natural law is a broader concept, derived from observations of nature and human nature. It asserts the existence of universal moral standards that are objectively derived from the nature of human beings and the world. Both the Law and natural law have had significant influences on legal systems and social norms throughout history.

The Law and the Messiah

The Law, as referred to in the Bible, harks back to the days of the Old Testament and the first five books, known as the Torah. The Law is a compilation of decrees, commands, statutes, and ordinances given to the Israelites by God through Moses. While the Law includes the Ten Commandments, it also encompasses a broader set of instructions for worship, service, and conduct.

The Law served multiple purposes in the Bible. Firstly, it was a covenant between God and the Israelites, setting them apart as His chosen people and establishing a fellowship with Him. It also revealed God's nature, wisdom, righteous standards, and justice. Additionally, the Law exposed humanity's sinfulness and our need for a Saviour. In this sense, it acted as a tutor or guardian, leading people to Christ and the New Covenant of grace.

The apostle Paul emphasised that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law (Romans 3:20-31; Galatians 3). He taught that believers are no longer under the law but are justified by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:25, 5:18). However, this does not mean that the law is arbitrary or irrelevant. Jesus Himself said that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17-20).

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law, ending the separation between Jews and Gentiles, and bringing them together as one in Him. Through His sacrifice, Jesus paid the penalty of the Law, offering Himself as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins. In doing so, He demonstrated that the law of God is fulfilled by love for God and love for our neighbour (Matthew 22:34-40).

While certain aspects of the Law, such as sacrificial laws and dietary laws, are no longer directly applicable, the moral law remains binding. Christians are still called to obey God's commands, which are now written on their hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). This obedience is not a burden but a joyful adventure, motivated by our love for God and our new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Frequently asked questions