Why did Jesus abolish the practices of Judaism? I thought God didn't change His mind?

  • Thread starter Thread starter scapularkid8
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

scapularkid8

Guest
I’m curious as to why the laws of the Hebrews/Jews don’t apply to Catholics…

For example, they covered their head when they prayed, and Paul later said that a man who does this is an abomination.

Also other things too, but that’s just an example. The only reason I can think of is that the Jews got so wrapped up in tradition and custom that they forgot the purpose, but still it wouldn’t make sense for God to just switch everything up…I guess I’m just missing a detail in the progression of covenants or something.
 
A couple of thoughts:

The head covering was only a cultural tradition.

The laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy were in place because of the transgressions of the Jews, mainly because of the Golden Calf incident in Exodus chapter 32, and the sin of BAALPEOR in Numbers Chapter 25

The relationship between the Jews and God had been harmed and was not repaired until Jesus, therefore these laws were no longer necessary.

Galatians 3:19
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.

If you are interested in a better account of this line of thinking, I would recommend “Our Fathers Plan” by Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins.
The order you would listen to these mp3 audio tracts are found here.
 
The ritual practices of Judaism were like training wheels on a bicycle. When Jesus came they had outlived their usefulness and had become a hinderance to spiritual growth.
 
scapularkid8 said:
I’m curious as to why the laws of the Hebrews/Jews don’t apply to Catholics…

For example, they covered their head when they prayed, and Paul later said that a man who does this is an abomination.

Also other things too, but that’s just an example. The only reason I can think of is that the Jews got so wrapped up in tradition and custom that they forgot the purpose, but still it wouldn’t make sense for God to just switch everything up…I guess I’m just missing a detail in the progression of covenants or something.
Click to expand...
Let us first note that JESUS clarified that Moses allowed somethings, as divorce, because of the hardness of men’s hearts. This shows us that the Mosaic Law as it was specified was clearly defined by men and not entirely by GOD. Moses premitted it, because men insisted but was not so from the begining. GOD specified the marriage law in Genesis.

That being said JESUS also defined the communication of tradition, with respect to the DIVINE LAW. That is tradition is a communication between GOD and man. We see that JESUS says that whatsoever two or more agree upon on Earth it shall be done by our HEAVENLY FATHER. But also with respect to this that not one jot nor tittle of the law shall fall away until all has been accomplished. Further that the whole of the law is summed up in two commandments, LOVE THE LORD OUR GOD, with all our hearts, minds, souls, and might. and LOVE our neighbors as ourselves.

This amounts to keep the commandments, and do whatever is right in your eyes? This also shows us the infallibility of eccumenical councils. It is clear that JESUS fulfills his promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against the CHURCH.

With the realization that tradition is a communication between GOD and man, but that the fundements of the law are given and unchanging, and on Earth in particular we fulfill the law with just one commandment: LOVE your neighbor as yourself. Because this is an image of the first of the two great commandments. The first being the greatest commandment. But if you say you LOVE GOD and do not LOVE your neighbors, you would be of course a hypocrite.

1 John 5:7-8 specifies the difference between the flesh of the Earth and the HEAVENLY worship, or Earthly and HEAVENLY liturgies. Thus the two commandments are likewise representative if the distinction of HEAVEN and of Earth.

Thus with a new covenant in CHRIST, the old customs don’t need to be adhered to. That is circumcision, for instance is no longer necessary because we have a covenant in JESUS’ BLOOD.

Ultimately if you keep the commandments, in the covenant of JESUS’ BLOOD, and you shall LIVE.
 
1 Corinthians 11:4
"A man dishonors his head Or dishonors Christ.] if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. "

Why? I thought someone here said it was just a cultural tradition. Why does Paul feel so strongly about this?
 
scapularkid8 said:
1 Corinthians 11:4
"A man dishonors his head Or dishonors Christ.] if he covers his head while praying or prophesying. "

Why? I thought someone here said it was just a cultural tradition. Why does Paul feel so strongly about this?
Click to expand...
We are no longer bound by that teaching.

In the Culture that Paul lived, that would have dishonored Jesus.

Just as today, if a women were to wear her thong bikini to Mass, that would dishonor Jesus, in my humble opinion.
 
Oh, I see. It’s saying that he dishonors the spiritual “circumcision” of the New Covenant of Christ if we go back to following an old custom of covering one’s head at prayer…is that right? I’m still a little confused.
 
scapularkid8 said:
Oh, I see. It’s saying that he dishonors the spiritual “circumcision” of the New Covenant of Christ if we go back to following an old custom of covering one’s head at prayer…is that right? I’m still a little confused.
Click to expand...
I have to admit that I am unclear of what the practice of the early Jews were.
I would assume that Paul didn’t believe that the mosaic laws pertained to Christian, but with the head covering issue here in this passage, I think he was making a point about appropriate. cultural dress here, more than a theological discussion between the old and new covenant practices.

Maybe some writings from St. Ignatius might help you here on this topic of the practices of Judaism:
But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written only the names of men.Flee therefore the wicked devices and snares of the prince of this world, lest at any time being conquered by his artifices, grow weak in your love. But be all joined together with an undivided heart. And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no one has it in his power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have burdened any one either in much or in little. And I wish for all among whom I have spoken, that they may not possess that for a testimony against them.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians Chapter 6
Click to expand...
Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. For the divinest prophets lived according to Christ Jesus. On this account also they were persecuted, being inspired by His grace to fully convince the unbelieving that there is one God, who has manifested Himself by Jesus Christ His Son, who is His eternal Word, not proceeding forth from silence, and who in all things pleased Him that sent Him.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians chapter 8
Click to expand...
Let us not, therefore, be insensible to His kindness. For were He to reward us according to our works, we should cease to be. Therefore, having become His disciples, let us learn to live according to the principles of Christianity. For whosoever is called by any other name besides this, is not of God. Lay aside, therefore, the evil, the old, the sour leaven, and be changed into the new leaven, which is Jesus Christ. Be salted in Him, lest any one among you should be corrupted, since by your savour you shall be convicted. It is absurd to profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. For Christianity did not embrace Judaism, but Judaism Christianity, that so every tongue which believes might be gathered together to God.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians chapter 10
Click to expand...
 
so it’s not against Christian teaching to cover one’s head while praying?

I guess upon reading the New Testament, I should make a mental note as to whether the Epistle writer is lecturing on cultural tradition or Christian practice.
 
St. Paul is using customs as an allegory to explain divine truths about gender roles and sexuality. You have to read all of chapter 11 and even then you still may not get it. It is not the customs we are bound to, any more than we would be bound to run around cutting off dead tree branches everywhere. We are bound to the truth presented in the allegory, not the substance of the allegory itself. A woman whose head is adorned with humility is far more appealing than a woman with an $80 hat, IMO.
 
I actually laughed out loud when reading your post epostle! The tree branch thing was hilarious. Thanks!
 
scapularkid8 said:
I’m curious as to why the laws of the Hebrews/Jews don’t apply to Catholics…

For example, they covered their head when they prayed, and Paul later said that a man who does this is an abomination.

Also other things too, but that’s just an example. The only reason I can think of is that the Jews got so wrapped up in tradition and custom that they forgot the purpose, but still it wouldn’t make sense for God to just switch everything up…I guess I’m just missing a detail in the progression of covenants or something.
Click to expand...
I think that the “Hellenization” of Christianity and its divergence from traditional Judaism, especially after the destruction of the temple is the main reason we see such stark differences. For example, "James the Just’, was head of the Jerusalem church and was also called “camel knees” because he often kneeled for hours in the temple praying. Also given the debate over the necessity of circumscision, I think that it is pretty clear that the original apostles were still Jewish in their practices and general outlook. Only as Christianity moved away from Jerusalem and its roots in Judaism did it change for good.
 
but still it wouldn’t make sense for God to just switch everything up…
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t use the phrase “switch everything up” necessarily, but God promised a new covenant that is distinctly different from the old. (Jer 31:31-34) It therefore makes sense that He would deliver one.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top