The Catholic Church on the Torah

[pr_catholic]

Hi, I was hoping someone that know’s our ecclesiastical history could tell me if the Church has ever issued it’s stance regarding the law of Moses has the jews put it into practice. I know about the council of jerusalem deciding about gentiles not having to submit to the law in order to be baptised. As far as I know the Church through out it’s history has never said that the law is abolished, simply that it did not saved unlike faith in Jesus sacrifice at the cross. The law according to the Cathecism & St. Paul for that matter was a prefigurement of Christ.

Still, if the council of jerusalem is to be understood and interpreted correctly then baptised jews were/are free to hold fast to their traditions ala the hebrew catholics. I believe that the problem or critice is that the gentiles or non-jews (like myself) don’t need to practice the laws found in the Torah (and, since we are the mayority right now…). Did I got it all right, is something missing or something I said that was wrong on this issue?

 

[Robbinson]

Hi, I was hoping someone that know’s our ecclesiastical history could tell me if the Church has ever issued it’s stance regarding the law of Moses has the jews put it into practice. I know about the council of jerusalem deciding about gentiles not having to submit to the law in order to be baptised. As far as I know the Church through out it’s history has never said that the law is abolished, simply that it did not saved unlike faith in Jesus sacrifice at the cross. The law according to the Cathecism & St. Paul for that matter was a prefigurement of Christ.

Still, if the council of jerusalem is to be understood and interpreted correctly then baptised jews were/are free to hold fast to their traditions ala the hebrew catholics. I believe that the problem or critice is that the gentiles or non-jews (like myself) don’t need to practice the laws found in the Torah (and, since we are the mayority right now…). Did I got it all right, is something missing or something I said that was wrong on this issue?

This is an interesting question, I look forward to reading other replies. Scripture makes it clear that the Mosaic Law is superceded by the Law of Christ.

Just a couple of verses (there are many others)

"Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. " (Romans 7:4)

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. "(Romans 8:2)

***"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, “Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree” ***-- (Gal 3:13)

This is consistent with the statement in section 1967 of the CCC:

"The Law of the Gospel “fulfills,” refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection. In the Beatitudes, the New Law fulfills the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the “kingdom of heaven.” It is addressed to those open to accepting this new hope with faith - the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart, those persecuted on account of Christ and so marks out the surprising ways of the Kingdom."

After Christ, Jews who believe in Christ have died to the law and are free of it - but not because it has been abolished, but rather because it has been fulfilled. The moral law (10 commandments) continues (in some translactions, referred to as the law of Christ as distinguished from the Mosaic law) which is written in our hearts - this is expanded upon by Jesus in the beattitudes and encapsulated in a shorter form in the golden rule (Love God with all your heart and do onto your neighbor as you would have them do unto you).

Jewish believers (messianic Jews/Hebrew Catholics) are of course free to honor and enjoy the traditions and cultural hearitage of Judaism - but not as an “obligation”, but a choice. Thus, some messianic jews choose to continue to follow the dietary laws and most celebrate the traditional Jewish holidays, abeit emphasizing their significance in light of Yeshua/Jesus. The danger is for those who fall into legalism and begin to impose the mosaic law upon those who have accepted Jesus/Yeshua as Lord and Saviour.

Blessings,

Brian