Well, isn't God's law eternal?

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Filius_Prodigus

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Jesus announces things that contradict the God-given, levitical laws, such as “Give the other cheek” vs the OT (Old Testament) “Eye for an eye” or regard the parts about divorce, where Leviticus gives rules for divorcing but Jesus says no.

Of course He has the authority to make additions and amendments, but doesn’t the OT say God’s law is eternal? In what aspect can it be said to be eternal?

:hmmm:
Filius Prodigus
 
Filius_Prodigus said:
Jesus announces things that contradict the God-given, levitical laws, such as “Give the other cheek” vs the OT (Old Testament) “Eye for an eye” or regard the parts about divorce, where Leviticus gives rules for divorcing but Jesus says no.

Of course He has the authority to make additions and amendments, but doesn’t the OT say God’s law is eternal? In what aspect can it be said to be eternal?

:hmmm:
Filius Prodigus
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Filius - briefly, remember Our Lord’s encounter with the young man who at Jesus’ questioning summed up the essence of the Law: Love of God and love of neighbor? That is the Law that is irrevocable and knows no national boundaries, not the Levitical laws which were only for the Jews, not for the peoples of the Nations. The Levitical laws were given to make them worthy of approaching the Temple. Through Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection now all joined to Him participate in His own worthiness to approach the Father, thus we have no need to obey the Levitical laws.
 
FCEGM said:
Filius - briefly, remember Our Lord’s encounter with the young man who at Jesus’ questioning summed up the essence of the Law: Love of God and love of neighbor? That is the Law that is irrevocable and knows no national boundaries, not the Levitical laws which were only for the Jews, not for the peoples of the Nations. The Levitical laws were given to make them worthy of approaching the Temple. Through Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection now all joined to Him participate in His own worthiness to approach the Father, thus we have no need to obey the Levitical laws.
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That makes sense. Thank you. 🙂
 
Numbers describes why Deuteronomy is needed. Written 40 years after the Exodus, Deuteronomy is literally “the second law” - meant to govern the 12 lay tribes. It is written immediately following the apostasy and sin of the worship Baal Peor.

Notice that it is a law given by Moses, not God. That’s a big difference between the Law given at Sinai, which is presented as God’s own words, delivered by God directly. Deuteronomy is the law of Moses, and as Jesus will explain, it is a law for hardhearted people (see Matthew 19:8).

Based on their track record since the Exodus, Moses knows the people can’t possibly be expected to live up to the law of Sinai, let alone the standards of holiness set forth for the Levites. Deuteronomy is a law for wayward children. That explains why in Deuteronomy, Moses grants permissions found nowhere else in the Bible, permissions that seem totally at odds with the covenant at Sinai.

Peace,

Ryan 🙂
 
Thanks a million, Ryan!

I used to be an atheist, and there are times when the doubts and questions come back to haunt me. Your replies have been a great help for me, ryanoneill. Very knowledgeable!

BTW are you a theologian? The quality of your response is unusual.
 
Filius_Prodigus said:
Thanks a million, Ryan!

I used to be an atheist, and there are times when the doubts and questions come back to haunt me. Your replies have been a great help for me, ryanoneill. Very knowledgeable!

BTW are you a theologian? The quality of your response is unusual.
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Your welcome!

No. I’ve been doing alot of learning lately though. I found out about this at free online course.

salvationhistory.com/Online/intermediate/covlove.cfm

I’d suggest studying the entire lesson, but this info is in lesson 4.

Peace,

Ryan 🙂
 
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