How do I determine which OT rules and regs still apply today.

[emill]

My son is coming home to the church. He has asked me to read the Bible with him. We started in Genesis and immediately one question kept coming up: How does a person know what to believe in the OT? Are we allowed to sell our daughters, or is it ok to beat your slave as long as he recovers in 2 days? If we don’t pay attention to these regs. anymore why pay attention to the other regs-- eg. 10 commandments? Who decides? What is the criteria? Where do I find what the Magisterium teaches on these issues? I can’t believe these questions have never been raised before, so there must be answers out there.
Emill

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Non-Catholic Christians have to figure this all out on their own and have no objective guide to clarify scripture passages. But Jesus founded His Church and gave it authority through St. Peter and his successors to guide us in such matters. I would suggest that you begin studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church which gives scripture references for all that it teaches. You may purchase one from shop.catholic.com.

See: catholic.com/thisrock/2008/0812btb.asp

If you want a Catholic bible study, I suggest Jeff Cavins’ Great Adventure Bible Study.

greatadventureonline.com/

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.