What do we mean by-mortal to practice the old covenant?

[Psychic]

(Title)

 

[Pax_et_Caritas]

(Title)

Are you referring to the teaching from the Council of Forrence that says it is a mortal sin to practice the old Covenant?

If that is what you are referring to, if mean that if a person practices the precepts of the Old Covenant with the intention of being justified by such practices, the person commits a mortal sin.

The precepts of the Old Law pointed to Christ. When Christ fulfilled these laws, their reason for existing ceased and thus they are now null and void. The reason it is a mortal sin to practice them is because it is an implicit (or explicit) denial of Christ.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

The old covenant (testament) ended with the death of Jesus on the cross. At that time the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom signifying the end of that covenant.

In the new covenant, (testament) the sacrifice of the mass is our offering to God. One single mass has more merit and grace than all of the combined sacrifices of the old covenant (testament) Why would anyone want to practice it?
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Psychic]

Are you referring to the teaching from the Council of Forrence that says it is a mortal sin to practice the old Covenant?

If that is what you are referring to, if mean that if a person practices the precepts of the Old Covenant with the intention of being justified by such practices, the person commits a mortal sin.

The precepts of the Old Law pointed to Christ. When Christ fulfilled these laws, their reason for existing ceased and thus they are now null and void. The reason it is a mortal sin to practice them is because it is an implicit (or explicit) denial of Christ.

But can they be practiced in any way?

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

But can they be practiced in any way?

The question should not be, “Can we practice it”, but rather “Why practice it” The old covenant has been fulfilled and is no more. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb of the New Testament or Covenant, whichever you prefer. We live in the period of the Old Testament fulfilled. Why go back. We are now in the Christian era.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Pax_et_Caritas]

But can they be practiced in any way?

Well, I do know that certain aspects of the old Law, which are now abrogated, can be performed without sin, but I don’t think a person could practice all of the old Law without sin. Here’s my reasoning…

Firstly, circumcision is part of the old law that is now null and void. However, most Catholics are circumcised when they are babies and, as far as I know, the Church has never spoke out against this. Based on that, I conclude that certain aspects of the old Law can be performed, as long as one does not think that in so doing, he will be justified.

But; I would guess that performing any of the sacrificial aspects of the Old Law would be mortally sinful. My reasoning is that offering these sacrifices, which would seem to have no other purpose that to accomplish what they signified, would be at least an implicit denial of Christ, whose sacrifice fulfilled the sacrifices of the Old Law.

So, although I can’t give you a certain answer, my guess is that some parts of the old Law can be practiced, as long as one does not consider it necessary for salvation or a means of justification (for example, if they are doing it because it is a custom, such as circumcision); while, in my opinion, other aspects probably cannot be practiced without sin.

Deacon Ed asked the right question. He asked “why” anyone would want to practice the old Law. That question gets to the heart of the matter. The Old Law is null and void, and it would seem to me that the only reason someone would practice it is because they are unbelieving Jews who do not accept that Christ was the Messiah who fulfilled and nullified the old Law. Thus, they think their salvation is from the law.

Are you going some where with these questions, or are you just curious?

 

[Psychic]

I know it’s a protestant thing, but circumcision can help against masturbation…but that doesn’t have to be of religious matter…